By Michele Robertson
Since becoming an independent Community College in July 2021, Southeast New Mexico College has been working diligently to upgrade the facility and add much-needed programs to its schedule to meet the needs of the community.
Dr. Kevin Beardmore shared what’s in store for the campus and how it benefits students and residents, “The new front parking lot is nearly complete. Energy updates and the HVAC have been in progress since the spring and will continue for several more months,” he said. “The solar-covered parking project started in May and will continue through the next year. Our Library Family Study Room construction just started at the end of August and will be complete this fall. Construction of the Trades x Technologies Building (“T-squared”) will begin next year, and renovations to the Main Building will begin next summer.
“The first solar-covered parking was added to the new lot and one existing lot,” he added. “More will be added to existing lots around the building in the coming year,” he said.
“The two major construction projects—the Main Building renovations and construction of T-squared—will not be complete until the summer of 2026. The other projects will be completed in 2025,” Beardmore said.
Upgrades to the campus will have positive benefits not only for those attending college at SENMC but for the community as a whole. “There are a multitude of benefits. Our new parking lot provides easy access to the college from the front, and with solar-covered parking, our guests and students will be able to take advantage of the shade for their vehicles while on campus. The solar project, once complete, will generate approximately 93% of the college’s electricity needs on-site,” Beardmore said, adding, “The energy upgrades will make the campus more efficient, and new transformers will ensure that we are ready for the demands from future facilities as well.
“The new HVAC system replaces one that was failing. Now, everyone can count on a comfortable environment while at the college. The Main Building renovation will provide a welcoming front door to the campus with a new elevator. It will include accessibility upgrades with new ramps to Room 101 and 102, which are used for community events, easy access to our library and bookstore, additional space on the second floor, and a complete renewal of Room 103 (“the gym”) to make it a true community events center,” he added.
“The Trades and Technologies Building makes room for new programs in Oil and Gas Technology, Electrical Technology, and Radiation Control Technology, as well as space for our existing Industrial Maintenance and Natural Gas Compression programs. Space for simulation trainers is included as well,” Beardmore explained.
“All of these programs will include opportunities for dual credit. This mix of programs—all of the ones mentioned already, plus our existing Engineering and Welding programs—will allow students access to the essential core industries in our area so they can find the career that meshes with their strengths and interests. This will be a game-changer for the community. In less than 24 months, students will have many more options for building their skill sets and contributing to the growth of Eddy County,” enthused Beardmore.
Resident Ron Haugen participates in a welding course at SENMC. “I am now in my second semester at the SENMC welding program. SENMC offered classes that would work with my full-time work schedule. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the instructors, Chris King and Sheena Linney. For someone who had never welded, they get you safely in the welder’s booth, developing your skill. They have also just revamped the program in conjunction with Lincoln Electric, raising the program’s standards, making us better at welding when we complete the program,” Haugen said.
To learn more about the campus and how it can benefit you, visit SENMC at 1500 University Drive. They can be reached by phone at (575) 234-9200 or visit the website at https://senmc.edu/index.html
تعليقات