Community News

Western New Mexico University President Jose E. Coll addresses local business leaders at a recent Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce meetingSILVER CITY, NM — Presenting the university's $101 million economic impact and laying out a vision for workforce innovation, Western New Mexico University President Jose E. Coll addressed local business leaders at a Silver City Grant County Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Speaking to entrepreneurs and community leaders, Coll framed WNMU as a core economic driver for Grant County, standing alongside mining, arts, tourism and agriculture as a foundation of regional economic resilience.

"Western New Mexico University isn't simply an educational institution; it is one of Grant County's foundational economic anchors," Coll said, stressing the university's year-round financial contribution to the local economy.

Students head across campus during the first week of classes for the Fall semester at WNMUSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University has launched the Fall 2026 academic year, welcoming thousands of online, new and returning Mustang students to the Silver City campus. Organized and presented by WNMU Student Life, the week-long series of Welcome Week events has energized campus as students settled into residence halls, reconnected with peers and prepared for formal coursework.

Kicking off his first academic year as WNMU President Jose E. Coll was seen across campus interacting with students and their families. From assisting families during Move-In Day to visiting with incoming undergraduates during campus meals, Coll made a point of greeting individuals one-on-one, asking about their academic goals, and discussing their long-term career and personal aspirations. 

Part of the WNMU custodial staff, Mikey Torrez (left) and Wade Cave (right) deep-clean and re-assemble a student dorm room. Custodians also clean and ready other campus areas to create a safe, healthy, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff.SILVER CITY, NM — As students unpack their bags, settle into residence halls and head to their first classes at Western New Mexico University this fall, the spotless corridors, gleaming floors and pristine spaces they step into represent a welcoming, supportive environment thanks to the WNMU custodial staff. 

The start of the academic year marks the climax of an intensive summer deep-clean operation. Beyond mere maintenance, this essential behind-the-scenes work sets the stage for student success, shaping first impressions for recruitment, protecting campus health and creating an environment where students want to stay and thrive.

Photo by Lora Lisbon

"I took this photo on Hwy 61 on Sunday. The heron was flying in front of my car then chose to land on the windmill. "

Attendees of the week-long Basic Economic Development course gather at WNMU. The July 13–17 seminar brought municipal leaders, planners, and economic developers to the Silver City campus to master regional growth strategiesSILVER CITY, NM — The week-long Basic Economic Development course, hosted at Western New Mexico University in mid-July brought community planners, tribal leaders, municipal managers and economic developers to Silver City. The professional development program, made possible through the generous sponsorship of the WNMU Foundation and Freeport-McMoRan, equipped participants with actionable strategies to drive local job creation and foster sustainable regional growth.

Serving as an essential first step toward earning the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential, the course focused on practical economic principles applied to contemporary community challenges through simulated real-world case studies.

All sessions took place at the Besse-Forward Global Resource Center. The curriculum equipped participants with cost-effective frameworks to stimulate regional employment and manage shifting economic realities.

A WNMU student prepares food in the updated appliances provided in the dormsSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University underwent a major campus-wide residence life upgrade earlier this year, equipping every dorm suite with specialized kitchen appliances, including combination cold storage units and multi-functional microwave, air fryer, and convection oven units. This initiative is designed to enhance residential living and combat food insecurity, giving students greater autonomy over their diet, nutritional choices, and cooking skills.

The project began with a critical need identified by campus leadership during periods when university dining facilities close for holidays and semester breaks. On-campus residents who stayed in the dorms often lacked the financial resources to purchase microwaves or cold storage appliances, making affordable meal options scarce when the dining hall was unavailable.

Hidalgo Medical Services Celebrates National Health Center Week with Community Events, Patient Appreciation, and Employee Recognition

Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) proudly celebrated National Health Center Week 2026, joining community health centers across the nation in recognizing the critical role health centers play in improving access to affordable, high-quality health care while honoring the patients, employees, and communities they serve.

Throughout the week of August 3-7, 2026, HMS hosted a variety of activities across Hidalgo and Grant Counties designed to celebrate the organization's mission, recognize employees, engage patients, and strengthen community connections.

Our August 4 First Time Homebuyer Bootcamp in Silver City turned into a genuinely productive and encouraging evening for the 14 local attendees who joined us. Designed to help first time buyers understand what they need before purchasing a home, the workshop delivered exactly that — clear guidance, practical tips, and plenty of real world answers from professionals who know the process inside and out.

Kim Clark opened the evening with a warm welcome and an overview of the night's roadmap, setting a supportive tone for new buyers. Our lender panel, Carlos Lucero and Patricia Lewis, then walked attendees through affordability, budgeting, and credit basics. Their explanation of PITI, credit scores, and what lenders actually look for ended up being one of the highest rated portions of the night, thanks to their ability to make complex topics feel simple and approachable.