Mesalands nursing clears a key hurdle

Mesalands Community College recently received a perfect score after a site visit by a Higher Education Commission team that recommends approval of the college’s forthcoming nursing program, paving the way for it to begin offering courses next fall.

Mesalands President Gregg Busch and Shannon Fries, director of nursing education, made the announcement during the board of trustees meeting Nov. 15. The HLC accredits all colleges and universities across the United States.

Busch said it was rare for the HLC to give 100% approval to a new program after an inspection.

“I have never seen a peer review where everything was right,” he said, commending Fries for her efforts leading up to it.

Fries said it was a group effort.

“It’s congratulations to everyone at the college,” she said.

Busch said the forthcoming approval would allow Mesalands to hold pre-nursing courses in fall 2023, with nursing courses in spring 2024.

“The nursing program is going to be a big addition for Mesalands,” Busch said, adding the college would have an emphasis on rural medicine that is “vital to our region.”

On a related note, the board approved more than $152,000 in purchase requisitions of Pocket Nurse equipment. The expense will be covered by a previously awarded grant to the program.

Fries said the equipment will be used for simulation centers that resemble hospital or medical rooms. One high-level simulator re-creates a patient that has a pulse, breathes, talks, makes bowel sounds and talks. Students can insert tubes, take blood pressure and even use a defibrillator on the faux patient.

Fries said other new equipment also includes six other mannequins, a pediatric mannequin and a childbirth simulator.

“They’re pretty cool,” she said of the simulators.

In other business:

• Busch announced Jim Morgan, vice president of campus affairs and external relations, would retire next month after 23 years at the college. (See other story in this edition.)

• The board approved giving staff members holiday time off on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Busch recommended the action after several employees suggested it, noting students and faculty members also were off that week.

Several executive staff members praised the action, noting many departments had gone through an arduous rebuilding, and staff members wanted time with families and rest during the week.

Answering a question from Streetman, Busch and other staff members said someone would continue to answer phone calls during the break because Mesalands’ new system is tied to employees’ cellphones.

• The board approved more than $2.2 million in funding requests to the state’s Higher Education Department.

It includes requests of $404,800 for campus security and police, $480,710 for the nursing program, $43,208 for renewable energy, $344,550 for Workforce and Economic Development, $67,500 for paleontology and $918,383.20 for athletics.

• The board approved three annual Mesalands Community College Foundation leases for properties totaling $53,050. The leases include the Alco building, the EDC property and an Interstate 40 frontage road tract that contains a radio tower.

• The board voted to change dates of several future meetings due to holidays. Its next meeting, originally scheduled on Dec. 20, was changed to Dec. 13. In 2023, the Nov. 21 meeting was changed to Nov. 14, and the Dec. 19 meeting was rescheduled to Dec. 12.

The board also adjusted its academic calendar to give employees time off on Jan. 2. New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, and Busch said the lack of an employee holiday the next day was an oversight.

• Jessica Gonzales, executive director of admissions and financial aid, gave the annual financial aid report. She said total student financial aid rose from $753,879 in the 2020-2021 school year to $881,255 this year, which still doesn’t account for the spring 2023 semester. The total number of students taking aid rose from 135 to 185 during that time period.

“We’re digging out of the COVID slump,” she said, noting aid also increased due to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship program.

• Josh McVey, vice president of public relations, said in his enrollment report that student numbers have risen 26% from 2020 to 2022.

• Streetman said he recently was given a tour of Building A construction and mold-remediation efforts. He said mold infestation was not as bad as expected. He said construction was “going very well” and would result in a facility that is nicer and more beneficial to students.

• Busch said he was one of three people from higher-education institutions who met with President Joseph Biden during his recent visit to Albuquerque. Busch said Biden was aware of Mesalands Community College and apparently well-briefed on it.

• Busch said a state audit team would visit the college as part of Mesalands’ future participation in Perkins grant funds for career and technical education programs.

• Busch said several students were about to complete courses in Mesalands’ first-ever Honors College and will receive honors designations on their transcripts.

• McVey mentioned that Mesalands rodeo athlete Bryan Tyler Huey would be featured in the December issue of Rodeo News magazine. Huey ranks high in the regional standings in saddle bronc riding.

• Busch introduced four new employees: Allyssa Zukevich, director of disability services and human resources; Matthew Benavidez, academic enrollment assistant; Justin Hatterman, internet technology coordinator; and Armando Acosta, coordinator of academic advising. All four have past ties to Tucumcari or the college.

• The board convened for more than an hour in closed executive session to discuss personnel matters. No action was taken when open session resumed.