SELF-STUDY REPORT This report was compiled by New Mexico Highlands University for the The Higher Learning Commission, 30 N La Sa
New Mexico Highlands University Accreditation Self-Study Participants Steering Committee Jean Hill (Self Study Coordinator) Kath
Contents Introduction History and Future Accreditation History The Self-Study Process 6 6 8 9 10 Organization of the Self-Study
Criterion Three: Student Learning and Effective Teaching educational program and make effective assessment possible. 40 39 Intro
Introduction New Mexico Highlands University (the University) is one of six fouryear universities in New Mexico, and the only on
Comparative Population Trends, 2000/2006 2000 Las Vegas San Miguel County San Juan County Bernalillo County New Mexico United St
• Leadership changes In addition to these changes, Highlands has experienced an unprecedented number of changes in key leadershi
and is becoming institutionalized, that the process has produced at least a preliminary product, and that these plans are beginn
2007, at the beginning of the fall semester, a workshop was conducted with all faculty and staff, introducing the Steering Commi
1 Introduction SELF-STUDY REPORT Criterion One: Mission and Integrity One result of Highlands’ recent turbulent history was a la
critical thought and in the appreciation of the arts and sciences. In addition, through collaborative arrangements with other ca
Tuition and Fees at Four-Year Public Institutions in the Western United States 2008-09 New Mexico Average (UNM and NMSU) residen
The People Behind the Data Rey Martinez, Professor of Social Work “I am not a first generation college grad but had an experienc
at number 43, higher than schools such as Texas A & M, Florida State University, the University of Arizona, and Berkley. This ra
NMHU Board of Regents President James Fries, Ph.D. Legal Counsel Sutin, Thayer & Browne Athletics/Intramurals Ed Manzanares Univ
New Mexico Highlands University Organizational Chart VP for Student Affairs Judy Cordova-Romero Academic Support Thomasinia Orti
The Deans’ Council The Deans’ Council meets once a month with all of the Center directors in order to facilitate the transfer of
addition, the Senate promotes the general well being of NMHU by assisting the University in achieving its goals. The Staff Advis
issue. At Highlands we recognize the importance of those laws and regulations and take pride in ensuring that they are met. Thes
process that will be the means for identifying areas for improvement. Once identified, the unit-specific plans can be updated to
2 Introduction 22 Criterion Two: Preparing for the Future. The organization’s allocation of resources and its processes for eval
spending generally is independent of business cycle fluctuations. As a result, revenues from broad based taxes on personal incom
gaps for the state that make it difficult to attract new and innovative industry, increase the economic base and ultimately impr
Centers has remained at about 30%. The following charts are based upon fall census date data. Total Fall Headcount at Main Campu
constituent’s needs. Student teaching placement procedures were also modified to meet the needs of that educational community. T
The People Behind the Data Stacy Romero Stacy Romero was born in El Pueblo in the Valley area of San Miguel County. She is a Wes
Faculty salaries for this program will be partially supported through an endowment fund originally established for the Universit
Enhance collaboration amongst various partners in education. During the 2007 regular legislative session, Representative Rick Mi
Core Component 2b The organization’s resource base supports its education programs and its plans for maintaining and strengtheni
2008 Revenue Sources 1% 8% 12% rebound can be attributed in large part to the establishment of the Office of Research and Sponso
State funding for Higher Education New Mexico state educational budgets are facing serious shortfalls this year as the economic
of the services that will be housed in the building include: study areas; computer labs; offices for Native American Services, I
safe interaction among members of our community. The necessary contrast to a pedestrian space, of course, is that adequate and c
ongoing upgrades, each port will have access to a full 2Gbs. • We have added to our campus backbone data services individual str
salaries. We expect to have our new peer group identified, approved by the various constituencies at the University and submitte
NMHU Mission: Education through teaching, research, and service Core Values • Advancement of knowledge • Student success • Multi
3 38 NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY
Criterion Three: Student Learning and Effective Teaching The organization provides evidence of student learning and teaching eff
Summary of Assessment Processes Assessment Task General Education Assessment Academic Program Assessment Outcomes Assessment Pro
course data based on existing course assignments. This system was chosen to ensure maximum flexibility for instructors to embed
• Rehabilitation Counseling graduate program- CORE (Council of Rehabilitation Education) • Chemistry Major – ACS (American Chemi
And then it involves aligning all of those other forms of assessment to help us determine whether we are successful in educating
Cumulative Percentage Faculty Salary Increase, AY 1997-98 through AY 2006-07 UNM 37.2% NM State 34.2% NM Tech 36.8% Eastern NM 3
The People Behind the Data Arlie Tagayuna Highlands University sociology professor Arlie Tagayuna was named professor of the yea
applicant’s effectiveness in future teaching responsibilities will be improved by the proposed travel, study, and/or research. •
Fall to Fall Retention of First-Time Freshmen Fall 2000 to Fall 2007 • Clear agreements with and support for underprepared stude
Each semester, at the time when enrollment for the subsequent semester opens, an automatic message is generated by Banner to be
need the document upon which this notice appears in an alternative format, you may also contact the Coordinator of Accessibility
services began in the spring. Currently, we are in the process of hiring a full-time counselor to staff the center and extend se
practica benefit from the large number of mental health providers in Las Vegas, such as the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institu
4 Introduction 52 Criterion Four: Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge The organization promotes a life of learn
External Funding (In Millions) Awarded, FY 03 to FY 08 Institution NMHU Eastern NM Western NM 2002-2003 $19.7 $8.3 $3.0 2003-200
The People Behind the Data Ana Zepeda, psychology student, Farmington Center Anna Zepeda is one of the Highlands University stud
Last semester, two of my graduate students in educational leadership, Michael Tenorio and Daniel Maestas, received co-author cre
The People Behind the Data Miriam Langer, Media Arts Professor Miriam Langer, Highlands University media arts professor and Visu
Core Component 4b The organization demonstrates that the acquisition of a breadth of knowledge and skills and the exercise of in
2007-2008, due to research indicating its effectiveness for openadmissions and first-generation students, the director implement
and faculty on each campus (ARMAS program description). Two key student performance outcomes for the program include a 100% incr
Core Component 4c The organization assesses the usefulness of its curricula to students who will live and work in a global, dive
Because of these costs, an insufficient number of students could afford the program in 2006 and 2008, and the program did not ta
5 Introduction 62 Criterion Five: Engagement and Service In this chapter, we will examine our relationships with the people we s
state and federal Department of Education personnel. Current initiatives include an online toolkit for New Mexico schools called
families. The program at Highlands currently serves 150 students from 13 high schools in Northern New Mexico. The students atten
Concurrent Enrollment Experience and Relationship to Freshmen Retention Fall 2008 Cohort Retained Spring No Ever Concurrent Neve
developing library services training for staff, ensuring reciprocal borrowing privileges, increasing library technology, and ong
Music Program sponsored 14 performances in Ilfeld Auditorium during the 2008-2009 academic year, with a total of 1,338 people in
Donnelly Library Book Discussion Series In the fall of 2008 a Donnelly librarian and an English professor instituted a program d
set up to accommodate auditorium or banquet-style seating • Natatorium • Ilfeld Auditorium: (718 person capacity) • Gene Torres
that results in the fact that more than 80% of NMHU undergraduate degree recipients began here as transfer students, not as firs
Institute, in collaboration with the University of New Mexico’s Family Practice Residency Program, is testing a new approach to
The People Behind the Data Chanae Esquibel and Loretta Overberger Chanae Esquibel is one of the Roy students who traveled to Hig
SELF-STUDY REPORT 73
Conclusion The Self-Study serves multiple purposes. It is the basis for our application for continued accreditation but, perhaps
and strategic plan for the University, and expect to have those in place at the time of the accreditation visit in November. Thi
Index A Academic Affairs Committee 18, 26, 40, 41, 57, 59 Academic Unit Reorganization 19 Accessibility Services 48 Adaptive Tec
L Learning Communities 49 Los Alamos National Labs 28 M Mathematics 58 Media Arts Program 26, 27, 33 MESA 64 Mission Statement 1
78 NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY
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