Clovis CC, ENMU announce joint admission plans

A five-year, $2.6 million grant will establish a new era of cooperation between Clovis Community College and Eastern New Mexico University, officials said Wednesday.

Dr. Steven Gamble and Dr. Beverlee McClure, the presidents of Eastern New Mexico University and Clovis Community College, respectively, conducted a joint press conference at Clovis Community College to announce the official awarding of the grant made available for Hispanic-serving institutions.

The Strong Foundations, Smooth Transitions grant will enable ENMU and CCC to collaborate in helping students succeed academically and to complete baccalaureate degrees, both school administrators said.

“One of the reasons we’re so excited about this grant is that it marks a new era for our institutions — an era of cooperation,” McClure said.

“We have always thought of Clovis Community College as colleagues,” Gamble said. “Between us, we cover a lot of territory. We’re both in the opportunity business. We help people have better lives. This grant will enable them to do that. And it will help us build a better relationship with Clovis Community College.”

The two presidents also signed a dual admissions agreement between ENMU and CCC that will provide students with special academic and career advising and will enable students to move easily from one campus to the other.

“Today, we launch the dual admissions program, which will allow an even greater spirit of cooperation between our schools,” McClure said.

“It will further articulate the programs and courses between our institutions,” said ENMU’s Dr. Patrice Caldwell, who along with CCC’s Dr. David Caffey, put together the joint grant proposal.

The project also will fund state-of-the-art technology to broadcast televised courses to several rural areas, including Clayton, Des Moines, Fort Sumner, Logan, Roy, San Jon, Santa Rosa, Cimarron, Corona, Grady, Hobbs, House, Ruidoso and others.

“We work with about 12 communities, and we’re looking forward to sharing with those communities access to upper division classes through ENMU,” Caffey said.

Special workshops will prepare faculty on both campuses to use the new technology and to enhance student success.

In addition to improving the academic environments at ENMU and CCC, the Strong Foundations, Smooth Transitions Project also will aim to boost teacher education programs and attract more students to the education field.

The grant is funded under Title V of the federal Higher Education Act. The Title V program benefits Hispanic-serving institutions — colleges and universities in which Hispanic students account for 25 percent or more of enrollment.