Small Community, Great Opportunity
As an Hispanic- and Indigenous-serving institution, Northern has served the rural communities of Northern New Mexico for generations. Since opening in 1909 as the Spanish American Normal School in El Rito, NM, the College has provided affordable, open access to quality academic programs to meet educational, economic and cultural needs of the region.
Now one of the state’s four regional comprehensive institutions, with its main campus in Española, Northern offers more than 50 bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs in arts, film & human sciences, STEM programs, business, education, liberal arts, and nursing. The College has reintroduced technical trades in partnership with two local unions and five public school districts through its new co-located Branch Community College, the first of its kind in the state’s history. Northern is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has earned prestigious program specific accreditations for its engineering, nursing, education, and business programs.
Northern By the Numbers
1stNorthern is the first HSI in the U.S.
12:1Student to Faculty Ratio
82%HIspanic & Native Students
#1Most affordable 4-year college in the Southwest
Meet President Balderas, JD, CFE
President Hector Balderas brings many years of experience in public service to his new role at Northern, working to build coalitions and unify opposing constituencies. Personally, and professionally, he is a champion of the underserved, those whose voices are not normally heard. Balderas began his term in January 2023 as Northern’s 22nd president, after serving two terms as New Mexico Attorney General.
Northern’s Administration
& Board of Regents
Our leadership teams are dedicated to our inclusive, student-centered mission to ensure that Northern remains a beacon of educational opportunity, academic excellence and community engagement in northern New Mexico. We are committed to fostering an environment where every student has the support they need to thrive and succeed.
Our Place &
Over a Century of History
NORTHERN is home to two campus, located in one of the most unique and vibrant regions of the U.S, known for its great cultural diversity and stunning high-desert landscapes and ecologies. Our legacy campus in El Rito, NM, where our history began over a century ago, is set in an historic park within the Carson National Forest. Our main campus is located in Española, NM, in the heart of Pueblo country and one of the oldest Spanish settlements in the nation.
Northern's Branch Community College & Board
Northern has partnered with five local public school districts — Española, Pojoaque Valley, Chama, Mesa Vista, and Jemez Mountain — to establish the Northern New Mexico College Branch Community College District. which was passed unanimously by the New Mexico Legislature in 2019 and signed into law by the Governor.
Committment to Community
NNMC & Juneteenth NM Celebration 2024
At our annual Juneteenth Celebration, organized by Willie Williams, President of Juneteenth New Mexico and New Mexico State Director of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, approximately 100 students, staff, faculty, local community members and dignitaries come together to commemorate this important historical event and holiday.
¡Sostenga! Farm & Greenroots Institute
Since 2007, the ¡Sostenga! Center For Sustainable, Food, Agriculture & Environment at NNMC has promoted regional traditions of small-scale farming. ¡Sostenga! grew out of a grassroots process to support Northern New Mexico’s land-based culture and teach people the skills needed to develop an economically viable, sustainable farm.
Partnering with K-12
Northern is committed to community outreach in our K-12 schools. That can be as simple as opening the campus for community events to faculty dedicating time and energy to mentoring local students. The faculty and students in our STEM programs are especially active in providing mentorship and learning opportunities for local schools and community groups. Our NM STEM Mentor Collective...
Trades Education & Economic Development
Northern’s Technical Trades department offers a wide range of options from noncredit
coursework to certificates and associate degrees, all geared toward making students
career ready upon completion. Close associations with the local unions strengthen
curriculum development and provide pathways to union membership.