In a collaboration between Doña Ana Community College (DACC) and New Mexico State University (NMSU), a student-run café is undergoing a transformation to offer new food and beverage options to the campus community. Under the oversight of Kelley Coffeen, associate professor in the Fashion Merchandising and Design program at NMSU, the Sam Steel Café in Gerald Thomas Hall is being rebranded to provide a collaborative space for various stakeholders.
Coffeen expressed the goal of creating a space that caters to faculty, students, staff, and community members, stating, "We want to create a collaborative space in Gerald Thomas Hall for faculty, students, staff and community members." The revamped café aims to offer affordable options, with Coffeen mentioning, "A lot of people just want a cup of coffee, nothing fancy, and they can get that here for under $1."
To enhance the café's offerings, DACC's culinary arts program has been enlisted to provide freshly baked pastries. Cecilia Castro, one of the chef-instructors at DACC, highlighted the hands-on experience the students gain, noting, "These students are taking what they learned in my classes and making things on a large production scale for an actual customer."
The collaboration extends beyond providing delicious treats as it serves as a fundraising opportunity for DACC students. Luci Serna, president of the Chop Club at DACC, emphasized the camaraderie and learning experience the students gain while baking for the café. Serna described the baking sessions as "fun" and "relaxing," highlighting the supportive environment created among the students.
Efren Delgado, head of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at NMSU, commended the initiative for providing students with valuable skills and real-world experience, stating, “This is a great experience for the students to develop an understanding of the demands, responsibilities and opportunities of professional employment.”
Looking ahead, Coffeen plans to expand the café's offerings to include a curated gift section, showcasing items selected by students from the fashion-buying class. This initiative aims to offer additional hands-on learning opportunities to students while providing unique gifts tailored to the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
The Sam Steel Café, open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday, stands as a beacon of collaboration between DACC and NMSU, offering not just coffee and treats but also a platform for students to gain practical skills and contribute to a vibrant campus community.