DACC News

DACC/EPE Celebrate Lineworker Anniversary

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and El Paso Electric Company (EPE) are celebrating a big milestone, 10 years of their electrical lineworker program partnership.

A decade ago, DACC and EPE kicked off a unique partnership to offer students an opportunity to attend school, while gaining employment with the electric company. The partnership allows students to earn a paid internship as they attend courses to obtain their electrical lineworker certificate. The program also includes a scholarship for students who participate.

The year-long pre-apprenticeship prepares students with safe, hands-on experience taught by experts in the field. The opportunity allows students to work in a variety of weather conditions, climb poles more than 100 feet tall, operate bucket trucks, lifting heavy objects and trenching.

Since the initiation of the program, EPE has hired 50 graduates from the program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for electrical lineworkers is more than $92,000 a year. To apply, students must be admitted to DACC, pass a background check and drug screening.

For more information on the program, go to DACC’s website at Electrical Lineworker Program.

For more info: DACC/EPE Celebrate Lineworker Anniversary
The magic of discovery

"How a southern New Mexico college is making workforce development work for everyone"

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has written an article about Mary Ulrich's Personal and Career Discovery course. The course is designed for students whose “potential contributions to the workforce have been ignored or dismissed". You can read more about it here:

The magic of discovery | Every Child Thrives

For more info: The magic of discovery
DACC Closed for Martin Luther King

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) campuses and centers will be closed on Monday, January 19th in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Campuses and centers will reopen on Tuesday, January 20th.

For more info: DACC Closed for Martin Luther King
Free Medical Services for Students

As we are amid the cold and flu season, Doña Ana Community College (DACC) reminds students, faculty and staff they have access to free healthcare services online.

There is access to free resources for mental and physical health through TimelyCare for those at DACC with an NMSU ID number. The online program offers free mental health counseling, free doctor visits, savings from 65-80% on prescriptions and self-help tools such as resources for stress management, mindfulness, nutrition and more.

“This resource is so important to students. To be able to provide free medical services to students as part of our wraparound services is so impactful and necessary,” says Dr. Jesse Haas, associate vice president of Student Engagement.

TimelyCare services went into effect at the beginning of the fall semester. To access services and for more information on DACC’s TimelyCare services, go to http://timelycare.com/dacc/. To learn more about TimelyCare itself, visit their website at TimelyCare | Virtual Health & Well-Being for Higher Education.

For more info: Free Medical Services for Students
Vendors Sought for Financial Fair

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is calling all vendors interested in participating in a financial wellness fair.

The fair will be held on Thursday, April 9th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Student Resources building at the East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. The college is seeking businesses and organizations involved in financial services, such as banks, credit unions, investment firms and debt management companies.

The purpose of the event is to provide information to students and the public about financial literacy, such as identity theft, credit scores, responsible credit card use, and investments. Registration is free. Vendors can fill out forms

by clicking this link.

Please contact Gina Reyes, DACC director of Avanza at greyes@dacc.nmsu.edu or (575) 528-7372 for questions or information.

For more info: Vendors Sought for Financial Fair
DACC Dental Clinic Open for Patients
 

Doña Ana Community College (DACC)’s dental clinic continues to accept patients who are looking for a low-cost dental facility.

The clinic is open to the public and accepts patients of all ages. The facility accepts Delta Dental, Medicaid and self-pay. Services are by appointment and include:
- Dental exams
- Full range of comprehensive dental services, including extractions, restorations and much more. These services are provided by the staff dentist.
- Full range of preventive dental hygiene services, including dental cleanings, periodontal therapy and more.
The college recently welcomed the addition of Dr. Bianca Ramirez, DMD, as its new staff dentist. Dr. Ramirez has experience in general and pediatric dentistry, having worked in El Paso, Las Cruces, Lordsburg and Deming. She has been an adjunct clinical faculty at NMSU/DACC Dental Programs.

To make an appointment at the clinic, please call (575) 528-7071 or email the clinic at daccdentalclinic@dacc.nmsu.edu.
For more info: DACC Dental Clinic Open for Patients
New Drone Course Offered

Interested in flying your own drone? Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is now offering an introduction course that will teach students proper drone usage.

The college is offering this three-credit hybrid course as an introduction to drones and Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology. Students will learn about real-world applications, architecture, engineering, construction, film, media and other technology-driven areas.

Classes are hybrid, held online and on Mondays from 5:30-7:10 p.m. at the Workforce Center, 2345 Nevada Avenue. The course will explore best practices, training considerations, permissions, licensing, and documentation requirements, along with how data collected by drones is obtained, managed, and used.

“This course is a great fit for anyone interested in expanding their technical knowledge, gaining hands on exposure to emerging technology, or simply learning something new that connects across disciplines,” says Dr. Laura De La Cruz, dean of Advanced Technologies. "The course also introduces emerging technologies and future applications, making it a great option for anyone curious about how drones are being integrated into today’s workforce.”

For more information the course, go to: Basic Drone - UAS - Technology - Certificate of Completion | New Mexico State University Academic Catalog

For more info: New Drone Course Offered
Pickleball Tournament for the Pantry

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is looking for those who like to play pickleball and make a difference in the community.

The college is hosting the Pickleball Passion for the Pantry Tournament to raise funds for DACC’s FirstLight Comfort Casita food pantry. The tournament will be held on Valentine’s Day, February 14th at the NMSU Tennis Courts beginning at 9 a.m. Participants can choose to play in one of three divisions: advanced, intermediate or beginner.

Registration cost is $40 per player and includes a t-shirt (registered by February 2nd), snacks and refreshments. There will be medals for gold, silver and bronze, including raffles for high-value paddles, bags, balls, and more.

Register at: https://alwaysanaggie.org/donate/2026-pickleball-tournament-form/.

This event helps ensure students have access to nutritious food which enables them to focus on their studies and achieve academic goals.

For more info: Pickleball Tournament for the Pantry
Registration Events for Free Medical Services
Students at Doña Ana Community College (DACC) are invited to attend one of two events to help them register for access to free medical services.

DACC is holding two registration events for TimelyCare, the college’s newest medical resource that offers free access for students. TimelyCare is a free online program that offers free mental health counseling, free doctors’ visits, savings between 65-80% on prescriptions and self-help tools for stress management, mindfulness, nutrition and more.

Registration events will be held:
- Wednesday, February 4th at the East Mesa Campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
- Thursday, February 5th at the Espina Campus, 3400 S. Espina Street from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TimelyCare is available 24/7 to all students and staff at DACC. There will be free food for students who register at this event, and a drawing for a free swag bag.

TimelyCare services went into effect at the beginning of the fall semester. To access services and for more information on DACC’s TimelyCare services, go to http://timelycare.com/dacc/. To learn more about TimelyCare itself, visit their website at TimelyCare | Virtual Health & Well-Being for Higher Education.
For more info: Registration Events for Free Medical Services
Culinary Students Sell Chocolate Boxes

Students part of Doña Ana Community College (DACC)’s Culinary Program are selling chocolates and goodies just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Boxes of candies with a cupcake are being sold for Valentine’s Day for $10 each. Items include four hand-crafted chocolate truffles, caramel, ganache raspberry and cherry, along with one red velvet cupcake and buttercream frosting in each box. These are being sold as part of the DACC Culinary Program’s CHOP Club.

The deadline to order is Wednesday, February 4th by 5 p.m. and can be submitted by emailing romero27@nmsu.edu with the subject line CUPIDS BOX. Boxes can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, February 12th and Friday, February 13th inside the DACC East Mesa campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd. in the Culinary lab located inside the student resources building.

For more info: Culinary Students Sell Chocolate Boxes
Scholarship Drawing for Students

 

Several Doña Ana Community College (DACC) students will be randomly selected to receive extra funds, part of the annual DACC Scholarship Riches event.

This is the third year of Scholarship Riches. This year, nearly double the number of students can win scholarships. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 17th from noon to 2 p.m. inside the DACC East Mesa Student Resources building, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd.

This year, DACC will give out 15 scholarships for $1,000 each. These will be given through random drawings to eligible students who attend the event. Drawings will occur every half hour during the two-hour event. Last year, DACC provided eight scholarships for $500 each.

This year’s scholarships are provided thanks to the generosity of Mr. Randy Farmer, Dr. Don Cotter, FirstLight Federal Credit Union, Evon Bradley and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.

The event will offer information on the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, Scholar Dollar$, give students the opportunity to meet with scholarship donors and more. There will be free food available for attendees.

For more information on DACC scholarships, go to Scholarships.

For more info: Scholarship Drawing for Students
Students/Community Participate in Global Gaming Event

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is taking on the world of gaming. Several college students participated in a global gaming event this weekend, joining thousands around the world.

Students and members of the public participated in the annual Global Jam Gaming event this past Friday and Saturday. This is a global challenge where gamers are charged with creating an entire video game in just 48 hours. Global Jam releases a theme, and teams create a game to match. Programmers from NASA and regional engineers participated.

The event is annual and takes place locally at Cholla Hall, 2400 Film Street. The challenge is open to any participants interested in game design, or they can take a crash course at DACC in the production process.

Global Game Jam is the world’s largest game creation event around the globe, according to its website. Each year, around 100 countries and 40,000 game creators participate in the event. For more information, go to Global Game Jam.

For more info: Students/Community Participate in Global Gaming Event
Dona Ana County/DACC Sign Water Technology MOU

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and Doña Ana County have entered an agreement where DACC students will be hired as paid interns to work for the county.

The county and DACC signed into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, January 23rd that will allow DACC Water Technology students to be hired as interns with Doña Ana County to prepare for future careers. As part of the agreement, the county will select four applicants in the college’s Water Technology Program who will be given the paid internships within the county’s Utilities Department for one full academic year.

“This collaboration directly supports workforce development and water sustainability in southern New Mexico,” says Dr. Mónica Torres, chancellor of DACC. “By aligning education with county workforce needs, this MOU helps ensure that our region has a skilled, prepared workforce to support critical water infrastructure and public services.”

The internship will give students real-world experience through hands-on training and career exploration along with the skills and expertise necessary in this field. After students' graduate, they will be given opportunities to obtain careers within the county or region.

For more info: Dona Ana County/DACC Sign Water Technology MOU
Community & Wellness Fairs
Students and the community are invited to attend one of two community resource and wellness fairs at Doña Ana Community College (DACC).

The fairs will provide information on valuable resources from DACC and local partners. In addition, there will be free food, swag and music. The events will be:
- Wednesday, March 11th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Espina Campus, 3400 S. Espina Street inside Alex Sanchez Hall.
- Wednesday, March 25th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Gadsden Center, 1700 E. O’Hara Rd., in Anthony, NM.
These events are free and open to both DACC faculty, staff, students and the public.
For more info: Community & Wellness Fairs
Free Movie Night

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) will be showing a free movie this week to kick off the college’s newest Architecture Student Club.

The film, a documentary called My Architect, will be available for viewing on Friday, February 20th at DACC’s East Mesa Campus, 2800 Sonoma Ranch Blvd., inside the auditorium from 5 to 7 p.m. This film is the first of several events this semester by The Coalition of Community College Architecture Students.

My Architect is a 2003 film directed by Nathaniel Kahn, following his journey to understand his father who was legendary architect Louis Kahn. Kahn’s works include the Salk Institute and the Parliament in Bangladesh. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary.

For more info: Free Movie Night
Dr. Rocha Presented with Prestigious Award

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is proud to announce that Dr. Marnie Rocha has been selected for a prestigious award.

Dr. Rocha, an instructor with DACC’s Education Program, was presented with the 2026 Donald C. Roush Excellence in Teaching Award for the college. Dr. Rocha was given the award on Friday, February 13th during DACC’s spring convocation. This annual award recognizes faculty members who consistently demonstrate extraordinary dedication and the highest standards of pedagogical excellence.

Dr. Rocha joined DACC in 2023 and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in education. She has served as an associate superintendent and is an alumnus of the University of Texas at Austin. “Dr. Rocha translates a high-level of expertise into the classroom and models responsive teaching and high-context learning,” says Dr. Mónica Torres, chancellor of DACC.

The Donald C. Roush Excellence in Teaching Award was established in February 1984 by NMSU’s Academic Dean’s Council upon retirement of Dr. Roush, executive vice president, in recognition of his unyielding dedication to the pursuit of teaching excellence. This award is based on information from students, department chairs/program directors and division deans.

For more info: Dr. Rocha Presented with Prestigious Award
Several Students Win Scholarships

 

Several Doña Ana Community College (DACC) students have a little extra funds for classes, thanks to the college’s annual Scholarship Riches event.

Fifteen students were randomly selected and awarded $1,000 scholarships each during the event which took place on Tuesday, February 17th at the East Mesa Campus. The scholarships were generously provided by Mr. Randy Farmer, Dr. Don Cotter, FirstLight Federal Credit Union, Evon Bradley and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.

David Ruiz, a Nursing student who was one of this year’s winners, said these funds will help him and his family while he attends school and works two jobs, “So being able to have this, gives a little bit more breathing room so that I can actually  focus on my studies.”

Automotive Technology student Andrea Varela, who was also a winner this year, says the funds will help with personal equipment for her courses. “It means I don’t have to take away money from what I have. (The scholarship) is very cool and it makes you think about how to give back to future students,” says Varela.

Five students were randomly chosen each half an hour during the two-hour event and all students who attended received a free meal and dessert. The event also included representatives from several resources within the college and around the county, including information on the New Mexico Opportunity and Lottery Scholarships, Scholar Dollar$, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, DACC’s Veterans Program, the U.S. Army and more.

For more information on DACC scholarships, go to Scholarships.

For more info: Several Students Win Scholarships
Global Gaming Jam Showcase

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) will be showing students’ creativity and highlighting their talent in the world of gaming.

Last month, several DACC students participated in the Global Game Jam event, where gamers are charged with creating a video game in just 48 hours. A theme is released, and gamers from around the world form teams and develop a game. DACC will be showcasing those games at a Global Game Jam Showcase and Game Development Meetup.

This event will be held on Thursday, March 5th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cholla Hall, 2400 Film Street. Programmers from DACC, NASA and regional engineers originally participated in the annual Global Gaming Jam event last month. The upcoming showcase is open to DACC students, faculty, staff and members of the public.

To learn more about DACC’s Game Development degree, visit our Creative Media Technology Program webpage at Creative Media Technology.

For more info: Global Gaming Jam Showcase
Sign Up for Volleyball Tournament

Calling all volleyball players, Doña Ana Community College (DACC) is looking for competitors to participate in its upcoming volleyball tournament to support the college’s diaper bank.

The college’s Health & Wellness Program is hosting the third annual “Serve & Support: Volley for a Cause” tournament on Saturday, April 25th at 9 a.m. at NMSU’s intramural fields at the corner of Stewart and Locust Streets. Teams can have up to 12 players maximum and must be co-ed. Registration cost is a minimum $100 donation of diapers and/or baby wipes per team. The tournament will support DACC’s Diaper Bank, which assists student parents who experience financial hardships when affording basic necessities.

The tournament will consist of competitive and recreational brackets. The tournament promotes a fun, high-energy environment focused on teamwork, wellness and giving back. To register, go to this form here.

For more info: Sign Up for Volleyball Tournament
Roadrunner Food Bank Partners with DACC

Doña Ana Community College (DACC)’s food pantry received a special delivery this week to help students and staff who are experiencing food insecurity.

The college’s FirstLight Federal Credit Union Comfort Casita has partnered with Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. Earlier this week, Roadrunner Food Bank delivered 3,000 pounds of food to the pantry as part of its ongoing mission to supply food to organizations in the state. “Adding Roadrunner Food Bank to our list of very generous partners, allows us to sustain services more comfortably and ensure pantry visitors have enough food and supplies to supplement their needs,” says Gina Reyes, director of DACC’S Avanza Student Success Center. “This means we can continue our efforts to ensure that no one goes hungry on our campus.”

The partnership is new and means that the Comfort Casita will receive food donations from Roadrunner Food Bank monthly. DACC’s pantry provides access to nutritious food and helps remove barriers to success, allowing students to stay focused on their education. To meet the needs of students experiencing hardship due to the economy and rising cost of food, students may visit the pantry once a week.

To donate to DACC’s food pantry, go to FirstLight Comfort Casita | New Mexico State University Foundation. For more information on how to support the Roadrunner Food Bank, visit Home - Roadrunner Food Bank.

For more info: Roadrunner Food Bank Partners with DACC
Workshop for High-Paying Jobs

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) will be holding a free workshop for those interested in applying for high-end job positions coming to our area.

The workshop is being held by DACC’s Workforce Center for upcoming jobs as an apprentice critical operations technician. The event will be held on Thursday, March 12th from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Workforce Center, 2345 E. Nevada Avenue. Starting pay for technicians will be $27 to $33/hour. The positions are through Project Jupiter in Santa Teresa, NM.

Workshop attendees will be guided on the application process, along with tips to strengthen applications and interviews. Paid training for the positions is available with no prior experience needed. Qualifications include a high school diploma and those who are mechanically inclined.

For more info: Workshop for High-Paying Jobs
DACC & UA Local 412 Enter into Partnership

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and UA Local 412 are entering into a partnership to help college students in their future careers.

The two entities will sign a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday, March 24th at the Las Cruces Training Center, 4090 Bataan Memorial West at 11 a.m. The partnership will give Union 412 apprentices an opportunity to earn an associate degree while in the apprenticeship program. Students enrolled in the DACC HVAC program will have the opportunity to have their coursework credited towards time in the Union’s apprenticeship program. UA Local 412 is a regional union for those in fields such as pipefitters, plumbers, and HVAC.

“This partnership gives our students a pathway from the classroom to the workforce, while supporting Union apprentices who seek a degree from DACC,” says Dr. Laura De La Cruz, dean of DACC Advanced Technologies. “It also connects students directly with a respected training organization and potential career opportunities in the skilled trades.”

This partnership will assist students by efficiently moving them from college coursework to registered apprenticeships as they build the skills needed for high-demand careers in plumbing, pipefitting and related industries. The partnership also provides a pathway for Union members to earn college degrees. UA Local 412 covers New Mexico, El Paso and surrounding areas.

For more information on DACC’s Commercial Technologies Department and its programs, go to Commercial Technologies. For information on UA Local 412, go to UA Local 412.

For more info: DACC & UA Local 412 Enter into Partnership
DACC Program Enrollment Increases as Adult Ed Ranking Improves

Doña Ana Community College (DACC) has been seeing an increase in enrollment in its Adult Education Program just as the state of New Mexico issued data that shows its adult education ranking greatly increased in the nation.

New data, released by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education, shows that adult education in New Mexico increased in national rankings from 50th in 2019 to 20th for 2024-2025. This increase coincides with a significant increase in adult education completion and enrollment at DACC. In 2025, the college saw a 161% increase in high school equivalency completion and an increase in enrollment by 62%.

“I think what this data shows is that New Mexicans are focused on completing their journey in higher education,” says Tricia Brainard, director of DACC’s Adult Education Program. “Part of this growth we’re seeing is opportunity; New Mexico now offers free GED and HiSET preparation and testing, and that is giving students a great chance to complete their education, leading to either advanced education or better pay in the workforce.”

In December, more than 50 Doña Ana County residents graduated from the Adult Education program at the college. They successfully obtained their high school equivalency credentials by either passing the GED (General Educational Development test) or HiSET (High School Equivalency Test) in both English and Spanish. “These completion rates and increase in enrollment are definitely a step in the right direction for so many students,” Brainard adds.

The GED test covers four subjects in math, science, social studies and reasoning through language arts. The HiSET covers five subjects from language arts (writing), mathematics, science, social studies and language arts (reading). DACC is an official testing center and offers classes to prepare students for these exams. You must be 16 years or older to attend classes.

For more information on the program, go to https://dacc.nmsu.edu/academics/departments/adult-education/index.html or call (575) 527-7540.

For more info: DACC Program Enrollment Increases as Adult Ed Ranking Improves
Classifications Recognize Student Success at DACC

Classifications designated by two organizations measure student success at Doña Ana Community College (DACC).

The classifications have been compiled by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and The American Council on Education (ACE). These institutions released new classifications for universities and colleges to reflect the nature of higher education and student success on campuses nationwide. Carnegie Classifications are also tools that compare colleges in the country.

DACC is one of 60 community colleges nationwide that earned a classification in Opportunity College and University (OCU). This designates DACC as offering higher access and higher earnings, which means DACC offers broad access to learners, including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The classification looks at Pell grant recipients, undergraduate enrollment by race/ethnicity, and the median earnings of students' post-college.

DACC is also classified as a Mixed Associate Medium, meaning the college offers a mix of academic programs with the highest degree awarded as an associate degree and ranks medium in terms of student population compared to other universities and colleges.

The Carnegie Classification is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education. The classifications were first developed in 1970 and are updated every three years.

For more information on the classifications, go to: Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education®.

For more info: Classifications Recognize Student Success at DACC