Tag: Stephanie Stuckey

River Xchange | Rio Grande program educates local youth about water quality

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By Stephanie Stuckey, Staff Reporter

The RiverXchange program is a year-long program that educates fifth graders in the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho Public School districts about water related issues and topics, said CNM instructor Amy White.

Classes participating in the RiverXchange, will have guest speakers attend their classes from different agencies such as the Storm Water Agency, 4-H, and the Water Utility Authority, she said.

Topics including water pollution, agriculture and agricultural usage of water, drinking water, sewage, and storm water are the topics being presented by these outside agencies, she said.

These are real water professionals interacting with students and answering important water related questions, she said.

RiverXchange also takes the students on a field trip to the Rio Grande River, she said.

At the river, the students are helping the ecosystem by planting trees and shrubs, including cottonwood and willow poles, as well as native wetland plants, White said.

Students also have the opportunity to incorporate geography when participating in RiverXchange, she said.

The students are partnered with a high-tech pen pal, she said.

An exchange of information regarding where the students are located in the United States in relation to their watershed happens, she said.

The students then ask questions of their pen pals such as: Does it snow where you live? How much precipitation do you get? and What is the name of your river?, White said.

RiverXchange is funded by The Mid Rio Grande Storm Water Quality Team which provides more than half of the program’s funding, she said.

This is a group of agencies that put money together to fund outreach programs about water related issues, she said.

The other portion comes from the Southern Sandoval County Arroyo Flood Control Authority (SSCAFCA), White said.

SSCAFCA is one entity; a government organization responsible for flood control in the arroyos of Rio Rancho and Corrales, she said.

RiverXchange has a mandate to do outreach because storm water from the watershed is and has carried pollution to the river, she said.

The water quality team of SSCAFCA has a mandate to keep Albuquerque’s storm water clean and the only way to do that is through education, she said.

Most people are unaware of the watershed and the pollution that can get into the water through runoff, she said.

Teaching kids about how these water topics are all connected is extremely important, she said.

“Through education, we can make a difference for future generations,” she said.

White encourages students to think about and explore careers in environmental education, wildlife biology, and civil engineering.

All of these areas have great opportunities that people are not aware of, she said.

It all starts with education; biologists are needed for research and civil engineers create the infrastructures that keep the cities going such as roads and storm water drainage systems, she said.

The RiverXchange program was started in 2007 by Amy White.

White initially started out by coordinating a water festival for fourth graders that happened one day out of the school year, she said.

However, about a month after the festival, she would visit the classrooms and notice the students were not retaining much of the information, she said.

That is when the idea came to her to start RiverXchange she said.

The program switched to fifth grade because water education fit the standards for common core better for fifth grade than it did for fourth grade, she said.

Because RiverXchange is a year-long program, the students are reviewing and revisiting previously studied water topics, so the chance of the retention of information is greater, she said.

By the end of the year, the students have a real comprehensive understanding of how all these water issues and topics are connected, she said.

RiverXchange helps ensure teachers are utilizing the resources available to them regarding water related topics without making it a difficult process, she said.

Fifth grade teachers who want to participate in or have more questions about RiverXchange can visit their website at http://www.riverxchange.com, email Amy White at amy@riverxchange or call (505) 225-RIVR.

Eco-friendly HAVC systems at CNM

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By Stephanie Stuckey, Staff Reporter

When a new building is going to be constructed or plans for major renovations are being made, upgrading the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are always a priority, said Brad Moore, director of C & M Relations.

The HVAC systems have been upgraded during the recent renovations of the JS Building and the H Building at Main Campus, the Tom Wiley Hall on Montoya Campus, and the Advanced Technology Center, he said.

New energy-efficient HVAC systems have also been installed in the L Building, which is currently being renovated and due to open mid-August, he said.

According to Moore, Smith Brasher Hall (SB) will undergo a major renovation and also include new energy-efficient HVAC systems.

A geothermal well underneath the parking lot at SB will be used to heat and cool the building, Moore said.

SB will be the first building at CNM that will not use natural gas, he said.

CNM also recently received funding from the state to begin upgrades to the HVAC system in Max Salazar Hall (MS), he said.

Two new boilers and two new chillers will be installed as the first phase of the HVAC upgrades to MS, he said.

Main Campus requires the most energy of all the CNM campuses, using about 300 kilowatts per square foot, he said.

Currently, the oldest HVAC systems on Main Campus are in the MS Building and the W Building and they likely date back to the 1970s, he said.

The Rio Rancho Campus and the Westside Campus will undergo similar renovations to maintain the heating and cooling of certain buildings as well, Moore said.

The CNM Sustainability Task Team, which includes employees from the CNM Facilities Department and representatives from around the college, are the people responsible for deciding what the temperatures in the buildings at CNM are set at, he said.

The thermostat in CNM buildings are set between 68 and 70 degrees by the Facilities Department at CNM, he said.

Since the late 1990s, CNM has continuously strived to replace old, less efficient HVAC systems with more eco-friendly and energy efficient systems whenever opportunities arise through renovation projects, Moore said.

In 2008, CNM made a commitment to design all new buildings and all major renovation projects to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification which requires highly energy efficient mechanical systems, he said.

CNM has earned LEED certification on seven buildings since 2008, he said.

“CNM’s overarching sustainability goal is to reduce waste, water use, energy use, and carbon emissions while educating and informing the CNM community about sustainable practices,” he said.

CNM is preparing to seek a contractor that will help the college educate the CNM community about individual behaviors that can collectively contribute to energy savings and more eco-friendly practices, he said.

World Cat Local | Navigating CNM’s new library system

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By Stephanie Stuckey, Staff Reporter

CNM’s new library system called World Cat Local is more of a “behind the scenes” operating system, said Renée Goodvin, Reference and Interlibrary Loan Librarian for the Jeannette Stromberg Library on Main Campus.

Transferring books from one campus library to another, placing books on hold, and renewing books are some of the behind the scenes, she said.

Renewing the library materials was a feature added during the upgrade, Goodvin said.

In order to be able to renew books or other materials, students will have to set-up an external account with World Cat Local, she said.

Students seem to get confused when logging into their World Cat Local accounts, the student needs to use their CNM student identification (ID) number rather than their email user names or log on names to CNM computers, she said.

She also said that World Cat Local would generate its own password after entering the CNM student ID number.

The easiest way to access the CNM library system is through the library’s webpage at CNM.edu and then click libraries under the Student Resources tab, she said.

Something important to remember, is that students can search for materials all they want; it is when an action is required such as placing a book on hold or renewing materials that logging into the World Cat Local account is required, Goodvin said.

Once students are logged in however, they can place holds, renew material, and see what materials they have checked-out stated Goodvin.

One of the upgrades made was to a service that through the old system was called Book Media Pick-Up and is now called Placing a Hold, and it is when a book is delivered from one campus to another, she said.

The name changed and the steps to use this function have changed as well, she said.

This new library system is the same system being used by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and allows CNM to work with UNM as well as other schools across the state because they all use the World Cat Local system, she said.

Goodvin stated that one minor downside to the new system is that because it is fairly new, there are many upgrades that have to be made in order to maintain the latest versions of the system, she said.

She has heard students saying that navigating the new system can be a little complicated, she said.

Goodvin has noticed that “students tend to be shy when it comes to asking about library materials” she said.

Goodvin encourages students who have questions regarding the new online library system to call the library, email the library staff, or just stop on by.

“We are happy to help,” she said.

If further help is needed, students can make an appointment with Goodvin by contacting the library and can get one-on-one help with the new system or other library related issues.

“It is actually my job to help people, it is what I get paid to do,” she said.

CNM fitness program offering internships to students

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By Stephanie Stuckey, Staff Reporter

CNM’s Fitness Technician Certification Program has an internship experience unique to other programs offered on campus said Dr. Vanessa Mikan, director of the Fitness Technician Program Health, Wellness and Public Safety.

The internship program is the last step in the certification process in which the students will need to complete 135 internship hours, said Instructional Technician, Coren Anderson.

The students can fulfill the internship requirement by teaching three fitness classes on campus at CNM or by teaching two classes on campus and one class at an outside location, Anderson said.

The internship program requires the students to write and teach ten exercise routines for the semester, as well as obtain two student clients who are volunteers from class, she said.

The intern will devise a training plan and advise the student clients so that they can meet their fitness goals, she said.

The CNM Fitness program allows students to obtain outside experience at Sports & Wellness, Anytime Fitness, YMCA, Planet Fitness, JCC, and Elevate: PHW, Mikan said.

The program has also established educational partnerships with America Council of Exercise (ACE) and Aerobic and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), she said.

“By giving the Fitness students the opportunity to work within our FITT courses, they are helping our CNM students become stronger both mentally and physically,” Mikan said.

CNM has also partnered with the YMCA this summer for the AFAA Primary Group Exercise Certification that would nationally certify students as Group Exercise Instructors, she said.

The Fitness Tech. Certification Program’s purpose is to better educate students who want to teach group exercise classes and become personal trainers, Anderson said.

The fitness classes are not only available to students wanting to enroll in the Fitness Tech. Certification Program, Debbie Romero said.

Fitness classes are program approved electives for science majors, criminal justice, and other degree programs, Debbie Romero said.

“The interns have excellent instructors to help guide them in their fitness career paths,” Mikan said.

Having a knowledgeable staff of instructors is what makes the program, she said.

Two instructors who have been with CNM since the fall of 2002 are Elias Romero and Debbie Romero.

“The internship program is a great opportunity for Fit Tech. majors to gain experience before getting a real job, it’s hands on experience,” Elias Romero said.

Travis Holt who is currently enrolled in the Fitness Tech. Certification Program is in the internship part of his certification, said that he was not very happy with his health and appearance so he decided to take a fitness class.

He enjoyed it so much he switched his focus to fitness training and enrolled in the program, he said.

Student Jeffry Chalan who is disabled and confined to a wheelchair due to a car accident is enrolled in Debbie Romero’s Physical Fitness 1 class.

He relies on public transportation to get from home to school, he said.

Debbie’s class will not only help him obtain his degree, it will help get and keep him in shape Chalan said.

He does not let his disability keep him down, he said.

Chalan is one of many examples that anyone can take these classes and you do not have to be a fitness buff to take a fitness class, Debbie Romero said.

“We are not just a P.E. class!” Mikan said.

The Fitness Lab is located in Ted Chavez Hall, rooms 113, 115, and 141, Anderson said.

There is also a locker room with showers for students’ convenience, she said.

To learn more about the Fitness Technician Certification Program, go to cnm.edu and select Health, Wellness & Public Safety under Programs of Study.

Job Connection Services

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By Stephanie Stuckey, Staff Reporter

CNM continues to offer services to students who
have graduated through Job Connection Services
(JCS) and the Alumni Association.

CNM alumni have access to lifetime services with
Job Connection, said Amanda Rubio, student services
technician at Job Connection Services.

According to Rubio, Job Connection helps students
obtain certificates and degrees, which is a service
that begins before graduation.

Rubio said that students can call and speak to a
career advisor and get help over the phone.

“Sometimes a little pep talk is all that is needed,”
she said.

With 339 jobs currently listed on their website,
students who have recently graduated are likely to find
a great job, she said.

These jobs are entry level positions that correlate
with CNM programs, she said.

Job Connection also help students find and attain
paid job internships, she said.

Rubio said that JCS has data analysts that contact
graduates to see where they are working and to find
out how much money they are earning.

This is just one of many ways that JCS stays on
top of what fields are hiring at competitive rates in
order to have data to show other students going into
that same field that they can find a job and earn good
money too, she said.

Another way is by using outside resources to find
out what employers might be hiring, she said.

Job Connection Services is not a placement center,
but they do help find job leads and have access to outside
resources, she said.

Other services offered by Job Connection include
help with cover letters and resumes, and practice
interviews, one on one, with a career center advisor,
she said.

She also said that alum have access to free paper
copies and faxes.

Job Connection Services is so much more than just
technical help, she said.

Once students have registered with Job Connection
Services they can utilize the website from wherever
and whenever, she said.

Students’ success is so important to Job Connection
Services that they even have a clothing exchange to
help students attain the necessary attire to go into job
interviews with confidence, Rubio said.

These exchanges usually happen once a year, but
if a student poses a need before or after the exchange
happens then all the student needs to do is give Job
Connection Services a call and they are willing to help
to the best of their abilities, she said.

When classes are in session, Job Connection
Services will see about 30 to 50 students per day,
Rubio said.

JCS is open five days a week Monday through
Friday from 8am to 5pm and closed for winter break
and national holidays, she said.

There are computers at JCS for students to conduct
job searches and offer a hot cup of Joe while conducting
searches, she said.

According to Roberta Ricci, CNM Director of
Development, there is also an Alumni Association that
was created in 2008.

Throughout the years the Alumni Association has
honored and recognized alumni with the Association’s
Distinguished Alumni Award, Ricci said.

Every year, an alum is chosen and celebrated
for their accomplishments at the CNM Foundation’s
annual Donor Appreciation Dinner, Ricci said.

Ricci also says that the CNM Alumni Association
is launching its first ever Brick Program.

“Alumni, students, faculty, staff, friends, and
family can create a lasting legacy and a permanent way
to show support for CNM by purchasing a personalized
brick in the beautiful Alumni Courtyard on main
campus,” Ricci said.

A person’s name, or the name of a loved one, can
be forever etched into CNM’s history, she said.

The donations are 100% tax deductible and is designated
for the CNM Foundation to upkeep college
programs and scholarship initiatives per Ricci and the
bricks cost $100 per brick, she said.

According to Ricci, alumni can become part of the
CNM Alumni Association by filling out an online application
at http://www.cnm.edu/depts/foundation/alumni,
membership is free, and once an alum becomes a
member, they will receive a monthly e-newsletter.

For more information about the CNM Alumni
Association, feel free to contact Roberta Ricci,
Director of Development, CNM Foundation, (505)
224-4641 or rricci1@cnm.edu.

The best way to register for Job Connection
Services is to go to http://www.cnm.edu, Rubio said.

Under the Jobs tab click Job Connection Services,
then click Look for Jobs under Students, Graduates,
and Staff, she said.

The student will then be directed to Suncat Career
Connection where an account will need to be created
and once this is done the previously mentioned benefits
will be accessible, Rubio said.