Community News

Assistant Professor in the College of Education William Lane, Ph.D., BC-TMHSILVER CITY, NM — For rural and underserved communities in New Mexico, accessing professional counseling services has historically meant long travel and logistical challenges. To address this, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) is working to eliminate these barriers by expanding its telemental health training and services and positioning itself as a leader in modern counseling education.

Central to this growth is the WNMU Department of Counseling's curriculum. Led by Assistant Professor in the College of Education William Lane, Ph.D., BC-TM, the program offers four tracks: clinical mental health counseling, clinical rehabilitation counseling, school counseling and addiction counseling. All tracks are offered through a 60-credit, fully online Master of Counseling degree: 

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling track is versatile and focuses on managing complex cases, like trauma and depression, via encrypted platforms to ensure urban-level care reaches "frontier" residents.

BLOOMINGTON, IL (06/02/2026)-- Patrick Waters, of Silver City, New Mexico, was named to the Dean's List for the spring semester of the 2025-26 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University. Waters is a Junior majoring in Public Health.

Waters was among 883 students from 29 states and 18 countries named to the spring 2026 Dean's List.

To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.

Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, highly selective liberal arts university. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls approximately 1,700 students from across the nation and around the globe. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.

Mescalero Apache students and staff visit WNMU before their trek to the annual mezcal harvestSILVER CITY, NM — Western New Mexico University recently welcomed dozens of seventh-grade students from the Mescalero Apache Schools for a multi-day visit that blended cultural preservation with an introduction to university life. The visit served as a gateway to the students' annual mezcal harvest, a cornerstone of their cultural heritage, held in early May. 

The long-standing partnership between WNMU and the Mescalero Apache community aims to provide students with an early look at the opportunities afforded by higher education. Rena Nash, cultural and language director for the Mescalero Apache Schools, emphasized the importance of the trip in broadening the students' horizons.

The Grant County Golf Association will be hosting the annual Drew Hunter Junior Golf Camp June 15-19. 

Kids 6-18, beginners to high school golfers are welcome. Learn the game and have fun with Head Pro Len Zamora and staff. 

Cost is $10 per child. Clubs will be provided if you don't have any. 

Lunch will also be provided each day. 

Kids who complete the program will get to play free all summer long. Conditions apply. 

Left: Garrett Peltonen, Ph.D., and Right: Takahiro Sato, Ph.DSILVER CITY, NM — At Western New Mexico University (WNMU), the study of human movement is more than just a science—it is a community mission. Kinesiology faculty members Garrett Peltonen, Ph.D., and Takahiro Sato, Ph.D., detail how the university's program breaks down the walls between the classroom and the real world, proving that "exercise is medicine" for all ages. The program manages several flagship community initiatives that serve as "living laboratories" for students.

Kinesiology, the science of human movement, is divided into two specialized pillars at WNMU: exercise physiology and sport psychology. Peltonen, an expert in exercise physiology and a former professional bicycle racer, focuses on the body's physical responses to exertion. Sato specializes in the psychosocial aspects of movement, exploring how mental performance and motivation influence both elite athletes and everyday individuals.

Silver City, NM — Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is proud to announce that its Physical Therapy team has been awarded the University of New Mexico (UNM) Division of Physical Therapy 2026 Outstanding Clinical Site Award, a distinction recognizing excellence in clinical education and student mentorship.

The award is presented annually based on nominations from graduating Doctor of Physical Therapy students who identify clinical sites that exceed expectations in providing a high-quality learning experience. GRMC received this honor following a nomination from Isaac Swartz, a Doctor of Physical Therapy student and recipient of the UNM Class of 2026 Student Award, who commended the team for delivering an exceptional and impactful clinical rotation.

During his time at GRMC, Swartz worked closely with Natalie Hall, Physical Therapist, who served as his clinical instructor during his rotation and helped create a supportive and engaging learning environment.

The Outstanding Clinical Site Award reflects GRMC's commitment to fostering future healthcare professionals through hands-on learning, mentorship, and a strong emphasis on patient-centered care. The Physical Therapy team plays a vital role in supporting students as they transition from classroom learning to real-world clinical practice.

The Arenas Valley Road construction is expected to last through the end of 2026.

See the PDF for more information

Freeport-McMoRan has engaged Voconiq to conduct a community engagement survey called Local Voices, which focuses on understanding community sentiment toward our operations. This survey is open to anyone aged 18 or older who lives in the Grant County area.

Why this matters:
This survey provides an opportunity for community members to share honest feedback and helps us better understand what we're doing well and where we can improve.

Key details:

• The survey takes approximately 15 minutes
• It is completely confidential and administered by Voconiq (individual responses are not shared with Freeport)
• Each completed survey generates a donation to local community organizations
• Participants will be entered into a raffle for one of three $250 gift cards
• The survey is open now and will close on June 30

We will share overall themes and trends with CPP members once the survey closes to ensure transparency and help guide our ongoing efforts to be the best neighbor possible.

How You Can Help
Please consider taking the survey and help share it with your networks, colleagues, and community members to increase participation. You're welcome to use the message above or tailor it to best fit your audience.

Survey link: voconiqlocalvoices.com/FreeportFCX.

Facebook: Voconiq Local Voices - Freeport-McMoRan | Facebook