San Juan College faculty and staff in Farmington, N.M., are inspiring students like Esmeralda Garcia to celebrate their unique identities and heritage, fostering success through Caring Campus.
Garcia, a criminal justice major and member of the Herencia Latina Advisory Committee, said the culture of care brought about by Caring Campus is evident across San Juan College, and encourages students to express their identities and overcome challenges.
“San Juan College is a place where I belong and can easily call home,” Garcia said. “On the first day of class, our teachers encouraged all the students to share our names, their meanings, and their origins. I often go by a nickname because my first name can be difficult to pronounce, but it was incredibly empowering for my professors to commit themselves to addressing me by my full name.”
This culture of belonging extends beyond the classroom, as the San Juan College community comes together to celebrate diverse backgrounds through events like National Hispanic Heritage Month and Native American Heritage Month. These celebrations foster a shared understanding and appreciation of the college’s rich cultural diversity.
San Juan College’s commitment to student success and establishing a culture of care was also instrumental in its accreditation journey.
“Our accreditation success is a testament to the power of cultivating a culture of care,” president Dr. Toni Pendergrass said. “Caring Campus has strengthened relationships across our campus, enabling us to meet students where they are and help them achieve their goals. This has contributed to our increased enrollment and overall student satisfaction.”
Dr. Pendergrass said colleges across New Mexico stand to gain significantly from adopting Caring Campus, empowering staff and faculty to identify areas for improvement and implement actionable solutions to give students the tools and support they need to thrive.
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