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WNMU Business Students To Benefit from Gordon Flanders Scholarship 

Grace Tackman
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WNMU Business Students To Benefit from Gordon Flanders Scholarship 

Business students seeking assistance in their journey at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) will have something to look forward to. The university established a scholarship in honor of a well-respected professor. 

WNMU recently announced a new scholarship in the name of Professor of Marketing Gordon Flanders, Ph.D. During his 30-year tenure, Flanders demonstrates the profound influence a single educator can have on a student’s life trajectory.

The scholarship supports upper-division WNMU business students who show academic excellence and strong commitment to the marketing field. Family, friends, and colleagues established the scholarship to ensure Flanders’ high standards and passion for teaching inspire future Mustangs. 

How Did The Scholarship Begin? 

Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the School of Business Benjamin Vicens, Ph.D., a colleague and close friend of Flanders, sparked the initiative. He envisioned a lasting and formal tribute to Flanders’ impact. 

What began as a foundational idea from Vicens quickly took shape. Faculty members within the School of Business personally contributed, turning it into a powerful grassroots effort to ensure the fund’s success. The WNMU Foundation managed donations and ensured the scholarship met the university’s standards, playing a pivotal role in its creation.

Flanders himself strengthened the endowment by contributing a generous financial gift, adding to the initiative’s momentum. 

“I have always believed that education is the ultimate equalizer,” said Flanders in a WNMU article. “To have a scholarship in my name is a profound honor, but the true reward has always been seeing my students walk across that stage at graduation.”

Flanders actively supported the university’s mission throughout his tenure and earned a reputation as a beloved figure in Silver City. The scholarship upholds Flanders’ commitment to student success, providing opportunities for the next generation of Mustangs.

“Dr. Flanders isn’t just a teacher; he is a pillar of this institution,” Vicens remarked. “When we discussed how to honor his decades of service, a scholarship felt like the only appropriate choice. It reflects his core value: putting the student first, always.”

When Does The Scholarship Begin?

The initial application cycle revealed strong student interest in the program. Applications closed at the end of January after an overwhelming response.

Scholarship awards take effect at the beginning of the fall 2026 semester. The university will announce the recipients later this year.

New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Officially Open!

Olivia Woodard
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New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Officially Open!

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Since August 2025, Albuquerque has been missing a well-loved attraction, closed for renovation. However, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science has officially announced a date to reopen to the public: April 4.

On the museum’s website homepage, a bright and cheery message greets visitors: “We’ve evolved!” it says and announces that the museum will officially reopen this spring, on Saturday, April 4.

Those who have missed one of Albuquerque’s most friendly and affordable attractions will be excited to know that there is a full schedule for the grand re-opening weekend.

According to the website, starting at 10 a.m. on opening day, the museum will be hosting a block party and ribbon cutting ceremony. Additionally, regular museum admission will also cover Planetarium and DynaTheatre shows throughout the weekend.

Those looking forward to the re-opening of the beloved museum now have a weekend date to look forward to! Further updates can be found on the website, New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science.

Check back for updates after the opening! Brant.one will be reporting on the event.

The Museum is now Open to Visitors!

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science had a successful grand re-opening last Saturday, April 4th.

At 10 a.m., a small crowd surrounded the entrance of the museum, where museum officials and dinosaur mascots stood to greet them.

The re-opening ceremony included students from Albuquerque High School’s jazz band, as well as a lively performance from the Van Hahn Lion Dance Team, a local non-profit performing group.

A young visitor reaches out in excitement to a Lion Dance performer – photo by Olivia Woodard

“We’re super excited,” Linda, the team coordinator said.  “The museum has been a big part of our childhood… so just being able to be a part of this is absolutely amazing.”

As for the museum itself, visitors have many new additions to be excited about.

The new renovations have expanded the gift shop, as well as adding new skylights to the building.

“We have a new traveling exhibit called Animal Armor that will be here until November,” said Sarah Bush, CEO of the New Mexico Natural History Foundation. She also highlighted the museum’s naturalist center, which has live animals from across New Mexico.

“One of the fan favorites is Snaplet, she’s a snapping turtle,” Bush said. “She got a new cage during the renovation, so she has a lot more area in which to swim and explore.”

The museum is now open and back to its regular schedule: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday.

Albuquerque’s Isotopes Mascot, Orbit, poses in front of the museum with some dinosaurs – photo by Olivia Woodard

Investigation Ongoing After Overnight Shooting in NE Albuquerque

Ruben Reyes
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Investigation Ongoing After Overnight Shooting in NE Albuquerque

Albuquerque Police Department (APD) rushed to the intersection of Menaul Blvd. and San Mateo Blvd. after a shooting incident was reported.

Upon arrival, they saw a man in a white SUV near Davis Cleaners which has then transported to a local hospital and later declared dead due to injuries he obtained.

The police confirmed its death after it was rushed to a nearby hospital at around 1:30 A.M.

The APD is still investigating the incident.

UNM Women Shine This Women’s History Month

Grace Tackman
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UNM Women Shine This Women’s History Month

This month, women take center stage around the world. At the University of New Mexico (UNM), the campus is honoring Women’s History Month with initiatives highlighting their brilliance. 

How Women’s History Month Started?

In 1987, lawmakers officially designated Women’s History Month to celebrate women’s many women’s contributions to society. These contributions often escape mention in history books and other narratives. March was selected to match International Women’s Day on March 8, honoring women worldwide. 

This celebration began as a weeklong observance. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation, declaring the week of March 8 as National Women’s History Week. This move paved the way for the creation of Women’s History Month.

The UNM has celebrated women’s contributions since 1972, when it opened the Women’s Resource Center. The center provides advocacy, support and safe space for all members of the UNM and greater community. 

Every March, UNM’s Anthropology Department highlights women’s contributions by gathering research, departments, events, and resources. It shares them on a dedicated webpage for the campus community. 

UNM Initiatives That Celebrate Women’s Contributions

Women’s Resource Center

The Women’s Resource Center advocates for, supports, and provides a safe space for all members of UNM and the greater community. Using a feminist empowerment model, the center offers educational, social, and cultural programs. These efforts encourage women’s self-determination and community engagement. The Women’s Resource Center equips students with tools and resources to enhance success in their academic, personal, and professional lives. 

Áine McCarthy is the director of the Women’s Resource Center. She joined UNM in 2020 as an advocate supporting student survivors on campus. She previously worked at Upaya Institute and Zen Center in Santa Fe as co-director of the Professional Buddhist Chaplaincy Training Program. McCarthy is also an ordained Buddhist chaplain with experience supporting women in prison. Additionally, she provides creative and contemplative programs helping women and femmes recover and grow after intimate partner violence.

Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies Program

The Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies program educates students about the relationships among identity, power, and knowledge toward the ends of social justice and empowerment. The program supports the development and application of new theories in feminist, queer and transgender studies throughout the university. It also applies feminist, queer, and transgender methods to critically evaluate scholarship and research in the disciplines. 

Moreover, the program educates students to understand issues affecting people at local, regional, and global levels. It prepares them to respond effectively to these challenges.

Sarah Davis-Secord is the program director for the Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies program. She is an associate professor in the UNM Department of History. Her research focuses on the interactions of individuals and groups across religious and cultural divisions in the medieval Mediterranean region. 

Gender and sexuality are fundamental and central components of all human interactions. Medieval Mediterranean historians have only recently begun investigating the roles of women, gender, and sexuality in cross-cultural encounters. 

UNM Honors Women Scholars

  1. Barbara Rodriguez: She is a professor of speech and hearing sciences, and is the interim provost for Academic Affairs. Rodríguez co-directs CLASS for ALL-NM, a collaborative personnel preparation training grant. The project partners with New Mexico State University and is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to train graduate students in bilingual speech-language pathology. 

Rodriguez is the recipient of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s (ASHA) Certificate for Special Contributions in Multicultural Affairs, an ASHA Diversity Champion, New Mexico Speech-Language and Hearing Association (NMSHA) Fellow and NMSHA Honors of the Association recipient. This remarkable woman has held a number of leadership positions on local and national professional boards.

  1. Melissa Emery Thompson: She is a professor of anthropology, co-director of the Comparative Human and Primate Physiology Center at UNM and co-director of the Kibale Chimpanzee Project in Uganda. Thompson was appointed assistant vice president for research in the UNM Provost office in the Fall of 2021.  

She secured extensive research funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF). She leads a project funded by the National Institute on Aging. It studies the human aging process through research on chimpanzees.

  1. Tiffany S. Lee  (Diné /Lakota): She is Dibé Łizhiní (Blacksheep) and born for Naałaní (Oglala Lakota).  Lee is from Crystal, New Mexico, located on the Navajo Nation, on her mother’s side and Pine Ridge, South Dakota on her father’s side. She is a professor and former chair of Native American Studies at UNM. She earned her doctorate in Sociology of Education from Stanford University. 

Her research examines Native youth perspectives on language reclamation and identity.  She also investigates socio-culturally centered educational approaches. In 2016, the Spencer Foundation awarded her a grant. She used it to examine how Indigenous language immersion schools affect Native American student achievement.

$50.7M Lost to Fraud: Regulators Step Up Warnings During Consumer Protection Week

Juan Oliveros
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$50.7M Lost to Fraud: Regulators Step Up Warnings During Consumer Protection Week

New Mexicans filed 10,638 fraud complaints with the Federal Trade Commission last year, reporting a combined $50.7 million in losses, according to state officials. The number underscored the increasing toll of scams and investment fraud across the state.

Regulators said the losses indicate the increasing sophistication of technology-driven schemes, including those involving cryptocurrency and other digital assets. The Securities Division said it is relentless in monitoring brokers and investment advisers to ensure compliance with securities laws, pursue enforcement actions against violators, and expand fraud prevention efforts across the state.

“An informed and protected investor is essential as financial markets evolve and digital assets continue to develop,” Benjamin Schrope, acting director of the New Mexico Securities Division, said in a statement. “With New Mexicans losing millions each year to fraud, National Consumer Protection Week is a great time to review what you know about fraud and learn how to avoid becoming a victim to today’s sophisticated, technology-driven scams.”

The division holds educational events in English and Spanish, joins interagency roundtables, and provides forums to civic and community groups on how to detect and report scams. Officials urged residents to verify the registration and background of financial professionals through FINRA’s BrokerCheck or by contacting the Securities Division, and to be wary of unsolicited investment offers.

Authorities also told consumers to protect their personal and financial information from phishing and cyber scams.

The data were highlighted in connection with the observance of National Consumer Protection Week from March 1 to 7. The Federal Trade Commission led the annual event, which brings together federal, state, and local agencies, as well as nonprofit and private partners.

AeroVironment to Pour $30M Into Albuquerque Expansion, Create No Less Than 450 Jobs

Juan Oliveros
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AeroVironment to Pour $30M Into Albuquerque Expansion, Create No Less Than 450 Jobs

Defense firm AeroVironment, Inc. is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Albuquerque with an investment of more than $30 million. The move could create over 450 new jobs and generate $670 million in economic impact over the next 10 years.

AeroVironment said the expansion will ramp up operations across its three facilities at the Sandia Science & Technology Park. The project will fund major capital equipment purchases, increase production capacity, and grow its local workforce.

The investment is backed by a $6-million performance-based incentive package from the State of New Mexico and the City of Albuquerque under the Local Economic Development Act (LEDA). Of the total package, $5 million comes from the state and $1 million from the city.

Company officials said the expansion will strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical defense and space technologies. These technologies include directed energy systems and space-grade components.

Wahid Nawabi, chairman, president, and CEO of AeroVironment, in a statement, said the company’s growth in Albuquerque reinforces the US defense industrial base and supply chains.

AeroVironment aims to build an end-to-end, cutting-edge manufacturing campus anchored by its Space & Directed Energy Group. The division supports defense, aerospace, and commercial space programs. The defense firm currently employs more than 400 people in Albuquerque. The firm has reported almost 30 percent annual growth from 2023 to 2026.

Mary Clum, president of the company’s Space, Cyber & Directed Energy segment, said the expansion will enable more reliable delivery of advanced capabilities to customers, including US military clients.

AeroVinronment’s announcement comes after the federal government urged for the prioritization of resilient domestic supply chains and workforce readiness to boost the nation’s defense industrial base. The National Defense Industrial Strategy directed the Department of Defense to prioritize rebuilding a resilient defense industrial base.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said the project underscores the city’s position as a hub for defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. The LEDA-backed expansion will strengthen the local economy, he said.

Pre-Application for Creative Industry Grants is Open, Prioritizing Rural Communities.

Juan Oliveros
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Pre-Application for Creative Industry Grants is Open, Prioritizing Rural Communities.

Ahead of a competitive grant round in Fall 2026, local governments, municipalities, Pueblo governments, and Tribal Nations across the state can submit projects under the new creative industries.

The grant, under the New Mexico Economic Development Department, seeks to give communities time to develop strategic arts and cultural economy projects before applying for funding.

“Communities need time to build strong projects,” Cabinet Secretary Rob Black, in a statement, said. “This approach gives public partners a chance to build compelling projects before diving into the formal funding process.”

Public entities must submit high-level project narratives outlining proposed initiatives under the concept phase. Participation in the pre-application stage is required to qualify for the Fall 2026 funding round.

Shani Harvie, director of the department’s Creative Industries Division, said the additional planning period aims to improve long-term outcomes.

“We know from our statewide study and prior funding rounds that communities have strong ideas,” Harvie said. “This phase creates space for local and Tribal governments to refine those ideas, build partnerships, project realistic budgets, and secure match commitments before submitting a full application.”

The EDD has opened the pre-application window on March 2. It will run until June 30, 2026, at 6 pm MST. The initiative prioritizes rural communities.

EDD encourages local and tribal governments to participate in NM CreativeCon events scheduled between March and June. The events aim to link communities with potential partners. It will also highlight successful creative industries initiatives across the state.

To learn more about the program—including how to apply, guidelines, and eligibility requirements—visit the Creative Industries Division Grant webpage.

8 Schools Leave Improvement Status as Graduation Rates Climb in 2025

Grace Tackman
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8 Schools Leave Improvement Status as Graduation Rates Climb in 2025

The New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) announced that eight schools are no longer in school improvement status. Seven of them successfully exited More Rigorous Intervention (MRI) status, the state’s highest level of support for chronically struggling schools.

In a news release, the PED said that after multiple years of focused effort, the eight schools met academic improvement benchmarks. They also boosted graduation rates, where applicable, by strengthening leadership, using data to guide instruction, and providing targeted student support. 

The eight schools include:

Albuquerque Public Schools: Mark Armijo Academy, Highland High School, Rio Grande High School, Siembra Leadership High School, Technology Leadership High School

Farmington Municipal Schools: Rocinante High School

Roswell Independent School District: University High School

PEC Charter School: Vista Grande High School

The PED supported their progress through on-site monitoring and structured reflections aligned with each school’s goals. It also provided professional learning and executive coaching to build strong systems, enhance leadership skills, and sustain long-term improvement. 

How Did The Schools Improve Their Status?

Rio Grande High School and Highland High School in Albuquerque Public Schools exited MRI status after sustained gains in graduation rates. Their turnaround follows years of focused improvement, strengthened instructional leadership, and targeted PED coaching and monitoring.

Vista Grande High School, a state charter school, left MRI status through a systems-level approach that improved data use and expanded math and English language arts interventions. It also increased access to dual enrollment and career pathways. Bridges, UNM-Taos, and the Field Institute of Taos partnered with the school to enhance postsecondary and experiential learning opportunities. Meanwhile, the PED provided coaching and professional development.

“Exiting More Rigorous Intervention is no small feat,” said Public Education Secretary Mariana D. Padilla. “These schools, their educators and their communities have committed to meaningful change to ensure more students cross the graduation stage ready for college or career. Their progress shows that with the right support, strong school leadership, and an unwavering focus on student success, more young people can earn their diplomas and build stronger futures right here in New Mexico.”

“Through intentional redesign of our systems, fostering reciprocal accountability, and providing meaningful support to our teachers, we’ve built a culture of shared responsibility and growth,” said Mark Armijo Academy Executive Director Shawn Morris. “While we celebrate exiting school improvement, we remain focused on sustaining progress and continuing to improve outcomes for our students, community and staff.”

More Students Graduating in New Mexico

Meanwhile, the PED declared that the statewide graduation rate rose 2.4 percentage points to 80.6%. The agency reported that this marks the highest rate in more than a decade. 

In Gadsden Independent School District, Gadsden High School and Santa Teresa High School maintained high graduation rates for multiple years — about 89% in 2024 and 89.8% and 94.5%, respectively, in 2025. They did this by improving data collection, tracking attendance, and providing multi-layered student support. Both schools participate in Perkins and NextGen career technical education programs.

These developments reflect the dedication of teachers, school leaders, students, and families. Together, they worked to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for New Mexico students.

From Battlefield to Gold: Marine Veteran Travis Dodson’s Paralympic Comeback

Esmeralda Lozano
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From Battlefield to Gold: Marine Veteran Travis Dodson’s Paralympic Comeback

The sound of blades carving across the ice is sharp and deliberate. For Travis Dodson, every push forward is more than just part of the game; it’s proof of survival.

The 40-year-old U.S. Marine veteran and two-time Paralympic gold medalist is preparing once again to represent Team USA, this time at the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy. But long before the medals and the spotlight, Dodson’s journey began in a small New Mexico town and nearly ended on a battlefield.

Born and raised in Deming, New Mexico, Dodson says he always knew traditional schooling wasn’t his path. After high school, he wanted something bigger. He wanted to see the world. That desire led him to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was later deployed to Iraq on a seven-month mission.

On 2007 Feb 14, Just one month before he and his unit were scheduled to return home, things took a turn.

While on the second story of a building, Dodson and his fellow Marines were attacked. A hand grenade landed roughly a meter away. The explosion killed one of his closest friends and left Dodson critically wounded.

He was conscious. He understood what had happened. And he knew his life would never be the same.

Dodson was rushed to the hospital doctors worked under pressure to control severe blood loss. Being O-positive, he required immediate transfusions. According to an interview with the NHL, Dodson received approximately 30 units of donated blood. Fellow service members and medical staff stepped up without hesitation, a collective effort that ultimately saved his life.

Physically, Dodson survived. Emotionally, recovery was more complicated.

After months of surgeries and rehabilitation, he found himself in a numb state searching for direction, for identity, for purpose. Before his injury, Dodson had been passionate about running. The loss of mobility forced him to redefine what movement and competition would look like. Instead of giving up, he adapted.

Dodson began competing in wheelchair racing and cross-country skiing, testing the limits of his new reality. But it wasn’t until he discovered sled hockey that something clicked.

The fast-paced, high-contact sport played from specially designed sleds mounted on blades reignited the competitive fire he once had. What began as an introduction quickly turned into a commitment. Dodson poured his energy into the sport, channeling discipline from his military background into relentless training on the ice.

Dodson became a two-time Paralympic gold medalist, helping Team USA dominate on the international stage. Now, as the Paralympic Winter Games approach, he once again carries not only a hockey stick but the weight of representing a country he once risked his life to defend.

For Dodson, sled hockey is more than a sport. It is resilience in motion, a community and It is proof that life after tragedy can still hold triumph. As millions tune in to watch the Paralympics, stories like Dodson’s serve as reminders that strength isn’t defined by circumstance but by response.

From the deserts of Iraq to the ice rinks of the world stage, Travis Dodson’s journey is not just about gold medals. It’s about second chances.

 Watch the Paralymics on Peacock or NBC

Nearly 3,000 Workers Train for Climate, Infrastructure Jobs as Clean Energy and Public Works Projects Ramp Up

Juan Oliveros
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Nearly 3,000 Workers Train for Climate, Infrastructure Jobs as Clean Energy and Public Works Projects Ramp Up

Some 2,800 workers have been trained for climate and infrastructure careers as clean energy and public works projects ramped up, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) said.

In a statement, state officials said the training programs would prepare workers across the state for jobs in renewable energy, construction, water systems, grid modernization, and other climate-resilient infrastructure projects. The number exceeds earlier workforce targets of 2,000 statewide by the end of 2026.

The training, according to DWS, includes registered apprenticeships, short-term credential programs, and partnerships with community colleges and industry groups. Many of these programs focus on “earn-while-you-learn” models, allowing the participants to earn industry certifications while working.

The program also targets underserved communities to ensure equitable access to new job opportunities, particularly in rural and tribal areas, state officials said.

New Mexico has a strong oil and gas sector. The state seeks to balance its traditional industries with investments in renewables and infrastructure resilience. Workforce development officials said a skilled workforce is critical in the energy transition.

The initiative is part of New Mexico’s 2024–2027 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) plan. It identifies climate-ready jobs and infrastructure development as the state transitions to clean energy.

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