WNMU Healthcare Education to Expand in Deming, Trades Programs to Transition to Silver City Campus

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: Category: Community News; May 20, 2025

SILVER CITY—Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is making strategic adjustments to the way it delivers technical and healthcare education in Luna County and across the region. These changes were prompted by the opening of the new John Arthur and Janette Smith Education Center in Deming in 2024 and by Luna County's plans to occupy the Mimbres Valley Learning Center, where WNMU Deming workforce programs are currently housed, for its own vocational programs.

As part of a broader effort to align with student and workforce needs, WNMU's trade and technical programs—including welding, electrical and construction—will transition to the university's main campus in Silver City beginning fall semester 2025. While this represents a shift in where some programs are offered, WNMU will continue to serve Deming and the surrounding communities through an expanded focus on healthcare education and selected academic courses at the Smith Center.

Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Patti West-Okiri said that the shift will strengthen the university's delivery of workforce programs while allowing WNMU to continue serving Luna County. "The change will allow the university to better coordinate staffing, equipment, and instructional resources to strengthen workforce programs that lead to industry recognized credentials while reinforcing our commitment to Luna County through expanded healthcare offerings," she said.

Located in the Smith Education Center, the healthcare expansion will include the following programs:

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Phlebotomy training programs that prepare students to work in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care settings.The Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program for students pursuing their first nursing license.The RN to BSN program, which allows licensed nurses to complete a bachelor's degree.A new Accelerated RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program that provides a direct pathway to WNMU's forthcoming Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification track, which is expected to launch in Fall 2025. This accelerated model is the first of its kind in New Mexico.

WNMU will continue offering the entire suite of healthcare programs in Silver City as well.

"WNMU is appreciative of Luna County's many years of support at the Mimbres Valley Learning Center and looks forward to a continuing collaboration to serve students in the region and respond to local workforce demands," stated West-Okiri. "In the meantime, we will work directly with students affected by the transition of the trades programs to ensure they have the support and guidance needed to continue their education," she said. The changes will be phased in over the summer to begin with the 2025 fall semester in August.

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WNMU Healthcare Education to Expand in Deming, Trades Programs to Transition to Silver City Campus

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