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The relationship between New Mexico Tech and Socorro – the city that is called my country – has a long and complicated history. Like siblings, they are close, they trust each other, but they don’t always get along. Fortunately, as siblings grow closer over time, so does the relationship between Town and Tech.
What changed? First and foremost is planning important events and thinking about each other. Some of these are obvious, such as coordinating events with the community and schools for the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series, bringing the National Dance Institute to Socorro Unified Schools, organizing and planning talent to perform at annual events. The annual community arts party. There is also an intentional effort to coordinate with Socorro Community Theater and the Socorro High School Drama Program.
Some efforts are less obvious. For example, as New Mexico Tech aims to coordinate its degree programs and dual-credit courses with Socorro High School, the Community Education Department is focused on making its community education classes more accessible to Socorro residents. They did this by making physical recreation and arts classes more affordable by creating non-loan offerings with easy payments. There is a significant effort to expand these programs and create certification pathways to include certification programs.
Community members who want to improve their skills and create their own opportunities can earn a certificate in small business management. If this certification is part of an Associates Degree, the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship covers tuition.
In addition to the educational opportunities available to Socorro residents, there is a focused and concerted effort to align strategic priorities with the community.
I mean this literally: New Mexico Tech is in the process of creating its next strategic plan, and “community revitalization” is a specific goal aimed at building positive momentum between Town and Tech. The intentional representation of diverse community members on this committee ensures collaboration and support between Tech and the City. This is true in other strategic planning processes—the Socorro Consolidated School District has included a partnership with New Mexico Tech to create a stronger future for Socorro students.
Further evidence of urban and tech unity is in the formation of organizing boards in the community. For example, New Mexico Tech faculty serve on the board of the Middle Rio Grande Economic Development Association (MRGEDA), and members of Socorro city government, businesses and nonprofits serve on various NMT committees aimed at growing Socorro’s economy.
The 100% Socorro initiative – which ensures Socorro County residents have access to the services they need to survive and thrive – is led by the Socorro County Council on Options, Prevention and Education (SCOPE) Health Council and NMT’STORM FORCE (STEAM OutReach and Mentoring) collaboration. igniting opportunities in relationships, community and education). NMT faculty and staff also serve on the SCOPE Board, as well as the Socorro County Juvenile Justice Board.
The intentional inclusion of urban and tech partners in these organizations clearly demonstrates the value each provides to the other. This value is valid, and through it our community is strengthened in urban and tech unity.
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