Colleges’ Responses to COVID 19 in New Mexico

As the supply shortage for personal protective equipment has ensued as hospitals around the globe are fighting the COVID 19 pandemic both Universities and Community Colleges stand ready to donate and help as the need arises. Where most of New Mexico’s nursing professionals and first responders received their education and training at one of the local community colleges they stand ready to give back to their communities and protect their alumni. Colleges’ responses to COVID 19 in New Mexico have been essential to protecting frontline healthcare workers and their local communities.

Dona Ana Community College

When the decision was made for a stay at home directive and schools to close amid the pandemic Dona Ana Community College quickly acted to help local hospitals and facilities in need of PPE. As COVID 19 swept across the nation a severe shortage of personal protective equipment ensued, leaving healthcare workers at risk. Faculty and staff of Dona Ana gathered over $9K worth of personal protective equipment that included gloves, masks, goggles, isolation gowns and more to donate to facilities that needed it to fight the novel Coronavirus.

New Mexico Community College

As campus had to close and education transitioned to an online delivery method many students found themselves without reliable high-speed internet to continue their education.

New Mexico Community College offered free reliable high-speed internet on select campus parking lots. These parking lots offer free WiFi for students to help them complete their coursework online during this time.

University of New Mexico

Students of the University of New Mexico have stepped up to serve their community and state by organizing a group to gather, collect, and donate PPE where it is needed most within New Mexico. New Mexico is a resource-scarce state and wants to fight COVID 19 while protecting those on the frontlines as best as possible. Students have asked local community members to gather any personal protective equipment they might have in their residence to donate for healthcare workers.

They gathered and donated N95 masks, surgical masks, gloves, eye protection, gowns, hand sanitizer, infection control kits, thermometers, and disinfectant wipes. Students have also had access to free WiFi parking lots to continue their courses while their education has transitioned to an online delivery method during this time.

New Mexico State University

New Mexico State University recognized that they had access to equipment and materials to help make PPE donate to facilities that were in need during the COVID 19 pandemic. Faculty and staff utilized 3-D printers on campus to develop and manufacture reusable face shields as part of the PPE drive. With many facilities experiencing a shortage of PPE, these face shields add another layer of protection for frontline workers and first responders to keep them healthy and COVID-free. Students have also had access to free WiFi parking lots to continue their courses while their education has transitioned to an online delivery method during this time.

San Juan College

As the need for personal protective equipment increased with the pandemic, many vendors could not keep up with the demand, and facilities were left with a shortage amid a health crisis.

Faculty and students of San Juan College teamed up with ABC Canvas and PESCO to develop and manufacture personal protective equipment themselves.

They designed and manufactured face shields for local hospitals and health care facilities. They have been able to keep up with demand and help alleviate the shortage many local facilities have experienced. Students have also had access to free WiFi parking lots to continue their courses while their education has transitioned to an online delivery method during this time.

New Mexico Tech

Students and faculty at New Mexico Tech wanted to do something to help fight the novel coronavirus so students of the Biology department started making sanitizer. They have made hundreds of liters of sanitizer and have free refill stations around campus.

Faculty have also manufactured face shields using 3-D printers. These face shields have been donated to local healthcare facilities to help alleviate the PPE shortage.

Central New Mexico College

As campus had to close and education transitioned to an online delivery method many students found themselves without reliable high-speed internet to continue their education.  Central New Mexico Community College offered free reliable high-speed internet on select campus parking lots. These parking lots offer free WiFi for students to help them complete their coursework online during this time.

Community colleges’ responses to COVID 19 in New Mexico have proven the essential role they play in communities in which they are apart. These institutions have provided courses for students to ensure their well-being during uncertain times, they have selflessly donated thousands of items of PPE and ventilators. Communities have benefitted greatly from the role of these unique and affordable institutions that are part of their communities.

Do you know of any other amazing college responses to COVID-19? Let us know so we can recognize them and add them to our list!