Community News

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Darta Dalecka selected for 2026 program designed to build the confidence, skills and connections needed to enter the tennis coaching profession

ORLANDO, FL (July 14, 2026) — USTA Coaching and WeCOACH have selected Darta Dalecka of Silver City as one of 30 nationwide participants to take part in the initiative USTA Coaching Serving All: Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH, one of the organizations' shared efforts to create more pathways for women in tennis coaching.

The Aspiring Coaches powered by WeCOACH program is designed to support collegiate women tennis players entering the tennis coaching profession, and provide aspiring coaches with practical tools, reflective learning opportunities and ongoing professional support.

WNMU Dean Cindy Martinez, Ed.D., named Impact Academy Fellow by Deans for ImpactSilver City, NM — Cindy Martinez, ED.D., dean of the College of Education at Western New Mexico University and director of the NM Center of Excellence for Early Childhood Education, was recently named an Impact Academy Fellow through the national nonprofit organization Deans for Impact. Martinez joins a cohort of leaders chosen for their commitment to strengthening educator preparation and ensuring future teachers are prepared to meet the needs of all students.

Martinez is one of 24 leaders announced as part of the fellowship's 11th cohort. This year's fellows represent a wide range of contexts and communities in which future teachers are prepared, including public and private universities, community colleges, national programs, school districts, and innovative teacher-preparation pathways. Together, they share a commitment to strengthening systems of education so that more students are taught by well-prepared teachers.

“Joining this national cohort is an incredible opportunity to collaborate with leaders who share a deep commitment to the future of education. At WNMU, we know that preparing exceptional educators is a powerful way to lift our communities and ensure every student thrives. I am eager to bring these national insights and strategies back to our campus so we can continue to innovate and strengthen our teacher-preparation pathways in New Mexico," Martinez said. 

Tanya Rivers, MS, professor of mathematics at WNMU, will lead the Southwest Hub for the STEM Innovation Network of New MexicoSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University recently received official designation as the Southwest Hub for the STEM Innovation Network of New Mexico, launching a localized effort to expand science, technology, engineering, and math education across the region. Tanya Rivers, MS, professor of mathematics at WNMU, will lead the initiative as the hub's director.

The network, spearheaded by New Mexico State University, used statewide funding to establish five regional hubs, including the Southwest Hub at WNMU. The hub serves a vast, primarily rural footprint, focusing on bridging educational gaps, cultivating workforce pathways, and fostering a community-wide STEM identity.

(Silver City, NM) – Children and teens now have the opportunity to explore drone technology and digital art for free with the Silver City Public Library, thanks to a grant from the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation. The library has used grant funds to purchase a classroom set of mini drones. Soon to come are digital drawing tablets, to enable the creation of digital artwork. 

The library will host a drone piloting session at the Henry V. "La Burra" Morales Recreation Center on Tuesday, July 14, 3:00pm. "Our first drone session at the library, scheduled June 2 to kick off the Summer Reading Program, was my opportunity to find out all the aspects of drone maintenance that I didn't yet know," said Lillian Galloway, library assistant director. "We weren't flying as much as I had hoped. So we scheduled another session for the following week, where piloting went more smoothly. I am learning so much along with the kids!"

SILVER CITY, NM — The Western New Mexico University undergraduate and graduate elementary teacher preparation programs have earned top honors for rigorous preparation in the Science of Reading. The National Council on Teacher Quality, a nonpartisan research and policy organization, released its 2026 Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation report today, highlighting the top-performing institutions nationwide.

WNMU emerged as a national leader in educator development, with two distinct tracks earning the coveted "A+" grade in Reading. Those tracks are the university's Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and the Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Education with Certification. The evaluations place WNMU among an elite group of higher education institutions nationwide recognized for incorporating evidence-based reading methodologies comprehensively into their curricula. 

NCTQ's Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation evaluates how more than 700 national teacher prep programs train future elementary teachers in reading instruction.

Incoming Prospectors President Priscilla Lucero with Outgoing President Romeo Cruz

Prospectors gathered yesterday  for their annual Passing of the Gavel meeting on July 9—an event that always blends tradition, celebration, and a renewed sense of purpose for the year ahead. In attendance was special guest and honorary member, Dr. Jose Coll, the new President of Western New Mexico University.

Outgoing President Romeo Cruz opened the meeting with business reports and heartfelt appreciation for the Prospector organization. He reflected on the accomplishments of the past year and the pride he felt in serving the community.

Silver City, NM – Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is pleased to announce that the Silver City Gospel Mission has been selected as the recipient of the Q2 Gila Regional CARES Program donation, funded through proceeds generated by cafeteria sales.

The Gila Regional CARES Program reflects GRMC's commitment to giving back to the communities it serves by supporting local nonprofit organizations that are making a meaningful impact throughout Grant County.

Since 1985, the Silver City Gospel Mission has served local individuals and families by helping meet basic needs such as food, clothing, support services, and connections to community resources. The Mission provides daily meals, food assistance, clothing, hygiene services, and compassionate support for those facing hardship.