Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has announced an extension for the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Languages (UISFL) grant, which is awarded in partnership with the University of New Mexico (UNM). The grant will be utilized to provide students with unique educational experiences, study abroad trips, and opportunities to explore diverse Latin American and Indigenous cultures through CNM's Latin American Studies program.
Since 2014, CNM and UNM have been working together on grant applications, pooling resources to bolster Latin American Studies initiatives across both institutions. According to a press release by CNM, the grant will also aid in developing additional Africana Studies courses at CNM. These courses are designed to seamlessly transfer to UNM.
"The opportunities and curriculum funded by this grant fit perfectly with CNM's student population," says Brandon Morgan, a Latin American Studies Instructor and Associate Dean of CNM’s School of Liberal Arts. "Students can see themselves in the courses and events we offer, and ultimately it allows them to learn about various cultures in a way they haven't been able to before."
The Latin American Studies program at CNM offers an interdisciplinary degree covering cultural anthropology, history, geography, language, and literature of Latin America. It equips students with language skills and area competencies beneficial for careers in business, public service, and professional training. This degree can be transferred to a four-year university according to information provided on the Latin American Studies webpage by CNM.
"This grant and our partnership with UNM is truly what opened the door for the Latin American Studies program to grow, and we wouldn't have been able to do it on our own," Morgan said. "I highly encourage CNM faculty who want to offer things like study abroad to look for partnership opportunities so more students can travel and gain an in-depth understanding of other cultures."
