Campus Facts
Northern New Mexico College recognizes and incorporates the place-based uniqueness of northern New Mexico into academics and campus life. Northern's communities of service are deeply tied to the region, a fact that influences both the educational choices of our students and the ways in which we serve them.
We primarily serve rural communities within a 40 mile radius of our main campus in Española, New Mexico, including eight Native American communities, within one of the most underserved regions in the state.
MISSION: The mission of Northern New Mexico College is to ensure student success by providing access to affordable, community-based learning opportunities that meet the educational, cultural, and economic needs of the region.
VISION: Northern New Mexico College is a Hispanic- and Native American-serving comprehensive institution that will be recognized nationally for cultural sustainability, quality student learning and developing economically strong communities among diverse populations.
Institutional History
- Established Normal School: 1909
- Established Vocational/Technical School: 1970
- Española Campus opened: 1971
- Established Community College: 1977
- Established 4-year College: 2005
Budget
- Total I&G appropriation (FY16): $10,745,200
- Grant & Contract Funding (FY16): $8,700,000
Students / Fall 2015
- Number of Students 1052 Total FTE 707
- Degree-seeking 823 Non-degree 229
- Female 59% Male 41%
- Full-time (12+hrs) 53% Part-time 47%
- Students receiving financial aid 656
- Student Age, under 18 9% 18–30 62% Over 30 29%
- Average Class size: 13 Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1
Student Ethnic Composition /Fall 2015
- Hispanic of any race 69%
- White/non-Hispanic 12%
- American Indian or Alaskan 10%
- Other 9%
Tuition/Fees / 2015-2016
- Resident: $181.95/per credit (1-11 hrs)
- Resident: $2,183.40 full-time (12-18 hrs)
- Non-Resident: $520.58/per credit (1-11 hrs)
- Non-Resident: $6246.96 full-time (12-18 hrs)
Financial Aid (full-time) / Fall 2015
- First-time students receiving financial aid: 66%
- Students receiving Pell: 57%
- Students receiving loans: 13%
- On Lottery Scholarship: 13%
Faculty / Fall 2015
- Total full-time: 41
- Total Adjunct: 85
- Full-time PhD: 57%
- Hispanic & Native American: 48%
- White: 42%
Staff / Fall 2015
- Total full-time: 136
- Part-time: 53
- Hispanic & Native American: 85%
- White: 10%
Academic Departments
- College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Pedro L. Martinez
- College of Education, Dr. Joaquin Vilá
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Ms. Ellen Trabka
- College of Business Administration, Dr. Lori Baca
- College of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Ivan Lopez
Bachelor Degrees offered / Spring 2016
- Biology (BS)
- Environmental Science (BS)
- Early Childhood Education (BA)
- Elementary Education (BA)
- Information Engineering Technology (BEng)
- Electromechanical Engineering (BEng)
- Music (BM)
- Mathematics (BS)
- RN to BSN
- Criminal Justice (BAIS)
- Humanities (BAIS)
- Psychology (BAIS)
- Pueblo Indian Studies (BAIS)
- Accounting (BBA)
- Management (BBA)
- Project Management (BBA)
Accreditations
Northern New Mexico College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org, 800.621.7440). Northern gained candidacy status in 1975, and full accreditation status in 1982. In 2001, we joined the HLC’s Academic Quality Improvement Program. In addition to regional accreditation, Northern’s educational offerings are accredited or approved by other agencies.
The Bachelor of Engineering in Information Engineering Technology Program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission (ETAC) of ABET (www.abet.org, 410.347.7700). Accreditation is proof that the quality of an academic program meets the standards of the profession.
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Northern New Mexico College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 887-6791.
The College of Business Administration’s bachelor’s and associate degree programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), (www.acbsp.org, (913) 339-9356).
The College’s occupational courses are approved by the New Mexico State Department of Public Education; the Barbering, Cosmetology and Associate Degree Nursing programs are approved by their respective state licensing boards.
State approval for benefits under Title 38 USC for veterans and other eligible persons has been granted by the New Mexico Veterans Service Commission.
Academic performance (full-time students)/Fall 2015
- % freshmen testing into remedial courses: 45%
- 1st semester retention (full-time degree seeking): 81%
- 1st year retention (full-time degree seeking): 54%
- % completing degrees in 150% time: 15%
- Total number of baccalaureate degrees awarded: 59
Regional Profile (2012)
- Total population of NM: 2,082,000
- Total population of Española: 10,313
- Total population of Rio Arriba: 40,466
- % with Bachelor’s Degree (Rio Arriba, age 25+): 16.1%
- % with Bachelor’s Degree (Española, age 25+): 19%
- % living below poverty (Rio Arriba): 19.7%
- % living below poverty (Española): 16.1%
- % living below poverty (NM): 25.5%
Program changes
In 2013, Northern converted its Spanish Colonial Furniture Making and Weaving programs from for-credit to continuing education. The impetus for the conversion was a significantly high number of non-degree seeking students. Both programs now offer courses at reduced rates on the Española campus.
Residence Hall Project
Northern is in the process of securing funding for its first residence hall. The presence of housing on campus will allow Northern to grow enrollment from students outside a 40-mile radius, will help boost the campus and local economy, and provide an additional venue for college life on-campus. Off campus housing options are available at www.nnmc.edu
Athletics
The College is a member of the National Association of Inter-collegiate AThletics (NAIA) The College receives a total of $260,000 in state appropriations which is supported by $110,000 of I&G funding. The College held its I&G budget flat in FY15, while adding four athletic programs. Beginning Fall 2014, Northern will offer the following sports teams: Basketball (M/W), Golf (M/W), J.V. Basketball (M), Cross Country (M/W) and Dance/Cheer (M/W).
