Southeast New Mexico College, Western Governors University Announce Partnership

SENMC graduates and staff are eligible for $2,500 scholarships

CARLSBAD, NM – (SEPT 21, 2024) Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) has signed a partnership agreement with Western Governors University (WGU), an accredited, online nonprofit university to provide SENMC graduates and staff with multiple paths to higher education and professional development.     

As part of the partnership agreement, SENMC graduates and staff are eligible to apply for the WGU Community College Partner Scholarship, valued at $2,500, credited at $625 per term for up to four terms. Application fees are also waived for partner organizations. The SENMC and WGU partnership provides a generous and seamless transfer pathway for admission into specific majors at WGU. Visit WGU/SENMC transfer landing page for more information. SENMC employees and their dependents are also eligible for tuition reimbursement.

WGU students receive a strong return on their investment: students pay less for their education, have lower debt at graduation and, on average, see a $30,000 income boost within four years of receiving their degree. Employers benefit, too, with 98% of employers reporting that the WGU graduates they hired met or exceeded expectations.

Located in Carlsbad, SENMC was established in 1950 and was the state’s first community college. SENMC currently enrolls about 2,000 students, and employees more that 175 faculty and staff.

“Southeast New Mexico College is excited about this new collaboration with WGU,” says SENMC President Dr. Kevin Beardmore. “This partnership extends our mission of providing educational opportunities that best serve our diverse students, community and industry. At SENMC, we believe that education is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends throughout your lifetime.”

WGU offers more than 80 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and professional certificates online in business, K-12 education, healthcare, including nursing, and information technology. Tuition is around $4,000 per term for most undergraduate degree programs. Every program is mentor-supported and designed to fit into busy schedules. WGU is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU will partner with SENMC to develop online workshops and information sessions, provide access to career service and alumni events and educational opportunities through WGU.

“As a university dedicated to expanding access to high quality, affordable education for all, with the ability to learn where you live, we are proud to partner with Southeast New Mexico College,” said Dr. Linda Battles, WGU Regional Vice President, South Region. “Our goal is to expand our community of over 3,500 students and graduates across New Mexico by creating educational pathways and workforce ready programs that pave the way to rewarding careers and economic growth.”

For more information about the partnership, visit WGU/SENMC transfer page. To learn more about WGU and all available scholarships, visit wgu.edu. To learn more about SENMC, visit senmc.edu.

 ###

About Western Governors University (WGU):

A nonprofit, online university established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, WGU now serves nearly 176,000 students nationwide and has awarded over 380,000 degrees to more than 340,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers, and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In less than 30 years, the university has become a leading influence in changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News and CNN and in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu and wgu.edu/impact.  

About Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC)

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is the oldest and newest community college in New Mexico.  SENMC was founded in 1950 as the Carlsbad Instructional Center, the state’s first two-year college.  Ten years later, the Center became a branch campus of New Mexico State University.  For the next sixty years much remained the same, until the community, in an amazing display of hometown support, expended the political capital necessary to wrest the campus away from the university.  SENMC was established as an independent college effective July 1, 2021, with the transfer of all functions, personnel, property, contracts, and references in law taking effect on April 10, 2022.  SENMC is in Eddy County, which has been ranked as the first or second highest producing oil and gas county in New Mexico for years. Recently, due to a boom in the Permian Basin, the county has been one of the top producers in the United States. Other unique industries in the area include the U.S. Department of Energy Waste Isolation Pilot Plant that accepts low-level radioactive waste from across the country, offices for two national laboratories—Los Alamos and Sandia—in Carlsbad, and two National Parks—Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains—within an hour’s drive.  SENMC is the only higher education provider in the area.  The community is deeply invested in the college and the college in the community.