ENMU-RUIDOSO

November 2024

The Rural Community College Alliance recently awarded the National Community Engagement Award to Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) - Ruidoso Branch Community College for its Ruidoso Campus Connections program at the Annual Fall Conference at SUNY Adirondack Community College.

This award acknowledges exemplary community partnerships, community engagement, and outreach programs and initiatives that have significantly influenced institutional and student success and demonstrate a commitment to excellence in connecting with our communities.

The ENMU-Ruidoso Campus Connections community development service program aims to create a climate of food security on campus through several systemic avenues: education and training, resource coordination, community partnerships, and physical space for students, staff, and faculty to access food and prepare meals. Community Development and Grants Director Nicole DeLorenzo and Chief External Affairs Officer Robin DeMott spearhead this program.

With high rates of both food and housing insecurity in the college service area, providing a space where students can prepare food is critical for sustainably serving Ruidoso and the surrounding community.

Additionally, the college hosts weekly food preparation and nutrition classes. The classes focus on high-nutrition, low-cost meals and include ingredients with weekly food distribution. To increase program awareness, reduce stigma, and increase student accessibility to basic needs, the campus provides area resources to students along with developing a campus hunger task force and area partnerships with activegroups including local food pantries and community gardens.