El Rito Campus history

El Rito 1924 photo

1924 photo of the Spanish-American Normal School Community

From Normal School to New Horizons

El Rito is where it all began for Northern New Mexico College. Northern’s educational mission has played an integral role in the State of New Mexico’s goal to provide educational opportunities for its residents since its founding as the Spanish American Normal School at El Rito on September 21, 1909. The New Mexico Territorial Legislature established the school to train teachers for the State’s Spanish-speaking population, making it the first Hispanic-serving institution in the United States – long before that was an official designation.

The New Mexico Constitution identified the Spanish American Normal School as one of 10 educational institutions which would be supported by the state. On May 9, 1986, Delgado Hall – one of the original structures – was entered into the New Mexico Register of Historical Places, #1257, in recognition of its historic and cultural significance.

The El Rito campus has undergone many changes in the last 100+ years, growing from a teacher training institution to a K-12 school, a vocational school, a community college and to the current Northern New Mexico College.

Enjoy our timeline below.

1900s: Establishment of the Normal School

The New Mexico Territorial Legislature determines the need for a "normal school" to train teachers for the State's Spanish-speaking population.

1909: Opening of the Spanish American Normal School

The Spanish American Normal School at El Rito opens its doors.

1953: Name Change to Northern New Mexico State School

The State Legislature changes the institution's name to Northern New Mexico State School and mandates the provision of training not available in public schools, implementing a secondary school curriculum.

1959: Renaming to Northern New Mexico College

The Board of Regents renames the school Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), continuing to teach grades 7-12 along with the new college curriculum.

1961: Introduction of Two-Year Programs

The College starts offering two-year programs in business education, general studies, and selected vocational programs.

1969: High School Curriculum Transfer

The high school curriculum is transferred to a newly created public school district, and the College's curriculum is limited to technical-vocational course offerings.

1970: Renaming to New Mexico Technical-Vocational School

The Board of Regents renames the school the New Mexico Technical-Vocational School to reflect the change in course offerings.

1971: Expansion and New Campus

Operating under its new name, the Technical-Vocational School expands its curriculum and faculty and develops a campus in Espanola, approximately 30 miles from El Rito.

1976: Task Force Creation and Recommendations

A task force, including representatives from the New Mexico Technical-Vocational School, the University of New Mexico, and local school boards and citizens, is created to assess the feasibility of establishing a community college. The task force recommends dissolving the University of New Mexico-Northern Branch (at Santa Cruz) and combining their academic course offerings with those of the New Mexico Technical-Vocational School. The Legislature accepts the recommendation and expands the institution's mission.

1977: Northern Becomes a Community College

Northern becomes Northern New Mexico Community College, the first designated community college in the state, and begins granting associate degrees and certificates.

2004: Introduction of Baccalaureate Program

Northern begins offering a baccalaureate program in Elementary Education.

2005: Transition to a Four-Year College

Northern expands its mission from a 2-year to a 4-year college and begins granting bachelor's degrees. The State Legislature changes the institution's name to Northern New Mexico College.

2015: Expansion of Degree Programs

Northern offers 13 bachelor's degrees, 50+ associates and certificates, and two post-baccalaureate programs.