WNMU student Nayeli Mancilla will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and an Associate degree in Graphic DesignSILVER CITY, NM — For Western New Mexico University (WNMU) senior Nayeli Mancilla, the path to Commencement was a profound journey. More than just reaching a finish line, hers was a marathon of grit, growth, and a passionate bond with the natural world—each step echoing the resilience she forged along the way.
Mancilla is a fine arts major who will receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and an Associate degree in Graphic Design in May. When she walks across the WNMU commencement stage, Mancilla concludes a transformative five-year journey that began with athletic aspirations abruptly derailed.
"I actually came here to play volleyball," Mancilla recalls. "And on my third day in Silver City, I tore my ACL—on the very first day of preseason practice."
What at first felt like a devastating setback turned out to be the space Mancilla needed to reconsider her path. Initially pursuing education, she began to engage deeply with Silver City's artistic community and the surrounding wilderness, which inspired her to redirect her studies.
She immersed herself in the fine arts program, finding key mentors in professors Matt Drisell (painting), Ed Brandt (graphic design), and Jim Pendergast (photography).
Mancilla credits the small class sizes at WNMU for fostering invaluable, one-on-one mentorship—especially in the visual arts. "They get to know you," Mancilla said. "When you conceptualize, they understand where you're coming from and help you find your vision."
One of Mancilla's most significant experiences was classes with Brandt. His emphasis on visual communication and brand identity reshaped her understanding of graphic design. Mancilla used what she learned in Brandt's classes when marketing the university's 2023 outdoor summer program.
Mancilla designed a new logo and developed comprehensive brand guidelines after realizing many students were unaware of the program's offerings. "Getting to have those meaningful experiences like backpacking and whitewater rafting for free—learning how to do that—was special, and I wanted more students to know what they could experience. Coming from Phoenix, I didn't have seasons or access to the wilderness just 20 minutes away," Mancilla explained. The connection to the land and Silver City community became a central theme in her life and art.
Mancilla's impact at WNMU extended beyond the arts and outdoor programs; she served in student government for three years, serving as vice president her senior year. In this role, Mancilla helped advocate for the campus environment, and successfully supported lobbying for a $220,000 request for irrigation infrastructure. Mancilla also began collaborating with the WNMU urban forestry program to help design a campus arboretum.
Her commitment to environmental advocacy grew after an apprenticeship a few years ago with the Semilla Project in Albuquerque. There, Mancilla focused on watershed management, wildfire mitigation, and indigenous-based principles of reciprocity.
Reflecting on her growth over the past five years, Mancilla said, "I am such a different person. I am much more resilient in many ways. I feel like I have a voice now."
Looking to the future, Mancilla plans to continue working with her hands and serving the environment through creative solutions. She emphasizes that the outdoor program at WNMU is a keystone program and hopes that future students will continue to build a relationship with the unique and beautiful environment surrounding the campus.
