News

Wraparound services continue to grow and are a priority at Doña Ana Community College (DACC).  

The college’s AVANZA program provides support and resources to students and their families. The goal is to empower and advocate for students as they navigate their college journey. The AVANZA program has now grown to serve students at five of DACC’s campuses and centers, including the opening of food pantries.  

According to the Spark Collaborative, 28% of community and technical college students are food insecure, 30% participate in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and 7% are homeless.  

To help combat this and other issues facing students, AVANZA assists with:  

• Food resources: DACC’s in-house food pantry, Comfort Casita, at the Espina campus, and its micro-casitas located in Chaparral, Gadsden, East Mesa and Sunland Park 

• Resources for housing including DACC’s Emergency Aid program 

• Children and family resources: directing students to the childcare assistance program and other childhood services 

• Inclusion and mental health resources such as DACC’s equity space, student accessibility services, the college’s counseling services and social worker 

• Information on accessing immigration and legal services, as well as medical and dental services, including DACC’s dental program 

• Access to transportation services and technology assistance, including a laptop & wifi assistance for qualifying students, DACC’s virtual learning, computer labs, and basic needs grant 

• Career resources: career exploration, planning, job seeking, career training and access to the Career Closet which provides free professional attire to students 

AVANZA routinely holds events to assist students who could benefit from these resources. Events include mobile food pantries, financial wellness fairs, community fairs and fundraising activities to support the program.  

For more information on DACC’s AVANZA services, please visit their webpage at https://dacc.nmsu.edu/student-services/avanza/. 

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) has a mobile app for students, faculty, staff, and the public. 

The app is available for free on both Google and Apple app stores. The app offers important and helpful information such as the college directory, campus locations, Crimson Connection, academic programs, deadlines, course catalog and social media.  

“This app is also incredibly useful in helping students and the community stay current with a calendar of important dates and college events,” says Ike Ledesma, vice president for Student Services. “The app is a one-stop shop that contains everything you need when navigating through important information the college has to offer.”  

The app can be downloaded to your mobile device through these Apple and Google stores. 

Hours for Doña Ana Community College (DACC)’s food pantry, Comfort Casita, have changed for the summer. 

The pantry’s main location is at DACC’s Espina campus, 3400 S. Espina St., inside Alex Sanchez Hall in room 109B. Summer hours will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until August 6th. DACC’s food pantry provides free supplementary food assistance to DACC students, staff and faculty.  

There are certain eligibility requirements for individuals to use the pantry:  

• Students must actively be enrolled in at least one DACC course during the summer. They can only receive items once per week, must have an Aggie ID, be present to receive items and bring a reusable bag.  

• Faculty and staff may receive items once per month, must provide an Aggie ID and bring a reusable bag.  

Those who are not eligible for DACC’s food panty can visit DACC’s THRIVE Resources. For more information on DACC’s food pantry and mobile food pantries, which are open to the public, please visit the Comfort Casita website. 

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Professor Dr. Joann Latorre was recently awarded the Mission in Action Award from the American Association of University Women (AAUW).  

Latorre was awarded at the New Mexico AAUW state conference in April. The Mission in Action Award is given every other year to a person who has made major contributions to improve women and children’s status, education and/or well-being in New Mexico. Latorre has been a member of the AAUW since 2012 and has made major contributions to further STEM education to females in grades sixth through 11. She also mentors DACC and NMSU females who are recipients of the AAUW True Grit Award.  

This award recognizes a person, group of people, or organization that exemplifies and furthers AAUW’s mission and has made major contributions to improve women’s and children’s status, education, and/or well-being in New Mexico. The award is open to both AAUW members and non-members who live and work in New Mexico. The AAUW empowers women and girls by championing their success in higher education and pushing for bold policy solutions to create lasting change.  

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) has open registration for incoming and interested students. The college offers more than 90 degrees and certificates with low tuition.  

There are six divisions within the college which offer multiple programs that lead to these degrees or certificates. The Advanced Technologies Division oversees the following programs:  

• Architecture and Construction Technologies  

• Aerospace Technology 

• Automation & Manufacturing  

• Building Construction Technology  

• Drafting & Design  

• Electronics Technology  

• Commercial Technologies  

• Automotive Technology  

• Electrical Programs  

• HVAC 

• Water Technology 

• Welding Technology  

• Computer & Information Technology  

The median salary in Las Cruces for these fields range from $53,000 to $136,000. DACC offers small class sizes, seven campuses and centers and is accreditated by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information on admissions, go to https://dacc.nmsu.edu/admissions/.

Area residents are invited to a free Thanksgiving & Food Resource Expo at Doña Ana Community College (DACC).

The expo, Nourish & Flourish, will be held on Wednesday, November 20th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Espina campus, 3400 S. Espina in the commons area inside Alex Sanchez Hall. The purpose of the event is to offer information on local non-profits and government assistance programs designed to assist families. There will also be a free Thanksgiving food box for the first 100 DACC students who sign up in advance through DACC. The box is provided by Casa de Peregrinos. 

According to the New Mexico Indicator Based Information System (IBIS), nearly 16% of people or 34,000 people in Doña Ana County suffer from food insecurity. This percentage is higher than the national average which is 11.5%. 

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is collecting items for families in need this Thanksgiving holiday. 

The college is partnering with Casa de Peregrinos to collect items as part of the Hope for the Holidays drive. The college is asking for donations of stuffing and dressing to compliment Thanksgiving meals. Donations may be dropped off at any donation bin at the information or front desks at the following locations:  

• East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch  
• Espina campus, 3400 S. Espina  
• Gadsden center, 1700 E. O’Hara Rd. in Anthony, NM 
• Sunland Park center, 3365 McNutt Rd. in Sunland Park, NM 

All donations are due by Friday, November 8th. Casa de Peregrinos is southern New Mexico’s largest food bank serving thousands of families each year. To make a donation to the Hope for the Holidays food drive, go to  https://casadeperegrinos.org/