The College

 Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is a two-year public community college founded in 1973 as a result of a collaboration between New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the three school districts in Doña Ana County (Gadsden, Hatch, and Las Cruces) to meet the postsecondary vocational-technical education needs of the County. Initially, Doña Ana County Occupational Education Branch of New Mexico State University (DACOEB) held classes and training programs on the campuses of NMSU, Mayfield High School, Gadsden High School, and Hatch High School, until facilities were built on 15 acres adjacent to the NMSU campus. The institution’s name was officially changed to Doña Ana Community College in 2006 and became independently accredited in 2008. DACC is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that offers both career and technical education programs, and general education and transfer programs as well as non-credit workforce development opportunities at nine locations throughout the County: the East Mesa Campus, the Espina Campus, the Workforce Center, and Arrowhead Park Early College High School, all located in Las Cruces; and the Gadsden Center, the Chaparral Center, the Sunland Park Center, Alta Vista Early College High School, and Otero County Prison, serving the south side of the County. Doña Ana County is the second largest county in New Mexico and shares a border with both Texas and Mexico.

A pair surrounded by ballons in celebration of DACC.

As one of three community colleges in the NMSU system, DACC is governed by the NMSU Board of Regents through an operating agreement between the university and the boards of education of the Gadsden, Hatch, and Las Cruces School districts. The DACC Advisory Board, comprised of representatives from the three school boards, approves the budget, initiates mill levy and bond issue elections, and advises DACC on program needs. All NMSU-System institutions follow the policies and procedures outlined in the NMSU Regents Policy Manual (RPM) and the Administrative Rules and Procedures (ARP). DACC’s President also serves as the Chancellor of the NMSU System Community Colleges.

 

VPAA Information

College Mission

DACC is a responsive and accessible learning-centered community college that provides education opportunities for a diverse community of learners in support of academic interests, workforce development, and economic growth.

College Vision

DACC will be a premier, inclusive college that is grounded in academic excellence and committed to fostering lifelong learning and active, responsible citizenship within the community.

College Principles

An instructor teaching up close and personal.

Access

  • Defined pathways to workforce and/or bachelor’s degree
  • Affordable education
  • Flexible schedule options
  • Programs and services that support a wide range of student needs

Innovation

  •  Intentional and creative use of technology
  • Focus on “real-world” practical experience
  • Diverse perspectives and viewpoints
  • Informed risk-taking
  • Excellence
  • Responsive curriculum
  • Quality teaching and learning environment
  • Rigorous expectations
  • Community support

 

Strategic Plan

As part of the NMSU-System, the college’s strategic plan follows a similar structure to the NMSU LEADS 2025 Strategic Plan adapting the NMSU Goals to the community college environment. The DACC Strategic Plan includes four goals: Enhance Student Success and Social Mobility, Support Research and Creative Activity, Amplify Services to Our Communities, and Build a Robust University System.

DACC’s President has designed measurable, focused priorities called Things That Matter to operationalize DACC’s mission, vision, principles, and goals. The Things That Matter priorities are data-informed and provide guidance to decision-making processes at the college.

Priority 1

Access
Increase the number of people in the communities we serve who access DACC services and resources.

Priority 2

Thrive
Increase the number of students who use the college and community resources known to support student success.

Priority 3

Benefit
Increase the number of students who complete their educational goals.

Priority 4

Excel
Implement practices across the college that allow us to produce results effectively and efficiently.

Student Success Statement

“DACC will actively support students to be agents of their own learning in an inclusive, culturally responsive, and equitable environment. Students will explore, establish, navigate through, and achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals to enrich their lives, the lives of their families, and their communities.”

 

Achieving the Dream (ATD) and DACC’s Commitment to Student Success

DACC is partnering with AtD, an organization that believes in community college transformation to create opportunities for students. The goal of the affiliation is to affect sustained change at DACC that promotes and fosters student success—their access to education, completion of their educational goals, and, ultimately, their impact on community. With support from AtD coaches, a college-driven Student Success Vision was developed and student-success focused professional development activities for faculty and staff have been held.