A Century of Growth & Impact
Northern's historical campus in El Rito has undergone many changes in the last century, growing from a teacher training institution to a K-12 school, a vocational school, a community college and to the current Northern New Mexico College.
Reimagining the next 100 years
TODAY the the El Rito campus serves as a hub for Northern’s Technical Trades Programs, with hands-on plumbing, pipefitting and electrical classes in renovated facilities and labs. Community and Continuing Education and Free Trades Boot Camps classes are also offered, and the campus continues to serve community in many other ways, including as Incident Command for firefighting efforts in the area and partnering with the El Rito Arts Association.
Alumni Hall is available year-round for community events, and properties on and near campus are offered for rental. Campus grounds and park are open to the public daily. For more information: Call (575) 581-4100.
Educating Northern New Mexicans since 1909
El Rito is where it all began for Northern New Mexico College. Northern’s mission has played an integral role in the State of New Mexico’s goal to provide educational opportunities for its residents since its founding as the Spanish American Normal School at El Rito on September 21, 1909. The New Mexico Territorial Legislature established the school to train teachers for the State’s Spanish-speaking population, making it the first Hispanic-serving institution in the United States – long before that was an official designation.
Chacon Park's New Gazebo is Officially Open!
Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) is thrilled to announce the completion of a stunning new gazebo at Chacon Park, nestled on the historic El Rito campus. This beautiful addition not only enhances the park's aesthetic appeal but also serves as a welcoming gathering space for the El Rito community and visitors alike.
The gazebo project was made possible through the generosity of Rio Arriba County Commissioner Moises Morales Jr., who allocated county funds to support the enhancement of this cherished community space. The structure is designed to provide a serene environment for relaxation, community events, and social gatherings, reflecting the college's commitment to fostering community engagement and togetherness.
What's Happening Today in El Rito?!
TRADES BOOT CAMPS & CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES
Please check our Continuing Education Page for up-to-date information and to register for Camps and Classes on the El Rito and Española Campuses. Contact: Virginia Cata, virginia.c@nnmc.edu
In addition to the Associate and Certificate programs, NNMC Trades Department partnered with Continuing Ed/Workforce Development to offer FREE Boot Camps plus several Continuing Education classes for skill development, and personal health and enjoyment.
MORE INFO: Virginia Cata (505) 747-5477, virginia_c@nnmc.edu and Joe Padilla (505) 614-7808, joe.padilla@nnmc.edu
El Rito Dinner & Movie Night!
We're starting a new tradition on the El Rito Campus. Join us on the "Third Thursday" of most months for potluck and a movie. Potluck starts at 5:00 with the movie following at 5:30 at El Rito's Cutting Hall. Some of the films we enjoyed include The Missing, The Milagro Beanfield War, and Coco. Can't wait to see what's coming up in the spring?
Contact: Carolina Alegre, carolina.alegre@nnmc.edu or Cecilia Romero, cromero@nnmc.edu
The El Rito Normal School Alumni Association
The Northern New Mexico Normal School Alumni Association (NNMNSAA) is developing a Legacy Archive Center of the Northern New Mexico Normal School to preserve the historical significance of the cultural and educational processes that evolved since the Spanish American Normal School was established in El Rito, New Mexico in 1909.
The NNMNSAA Scholarship Committee offers a yearly scholarship of up to $1000, designed to assist local students interested in attaining a higher education at a vocational School, college or university. Watch this page for 2024 Application and information.
The El Rito Alumni Memorial
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Mill Levy & Philanthropy Supports El Rito and Campus growth
In 2019, voters in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe County approved a NNMC 2-mill levy to support expansion of dual credit and trades education opportunities for residents of the Española, Pojoaque, Chama Valley, Mesa Vista and Jemez Mountain School districts.
With that infusion of funding, augmented by support from outside donations and supplier discounts, the El Rito campus is revitalizing its legacy for future generations. In an ongoing process since 2021, classrooms and labs are being revamped and equipment is being purchased with mill levy funds, funding from the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) Act and generous donations from individuals such as Ralph (Butch) E. Clark III and the Walter G. Watts Memorial Fund.
Parnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC)
Northern is working with Kit Carson (KCEC) on the Resilient El Rito community resilience microgrid demonstration project. In 2019, Northern, KCEC and Guzman Energy collaborated on a 1.5 Mega-watts (MW) solar array on the El Rito campus (pictured right), which is currently supplying El Rito with 100 percent daytime hour solar energy. Resilient El Rito will incorporate that array into a larger community microgrid envelope with battery backup, which will bring El Rito to 100 percent renewable energy during nighttime hours and provide power indefinitely to public facilities such as the town’s water and communication infrastructure, fire station and medical clinic as well as the campus in the event of an outage. This microgrid will demonstrate the potential of utility microgrids for rural electric cooperatives state-wide and provide an unparalleled workforce training environment for NNMC’s students. The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) has supplied grants for the project.
Governor Michelle Luhan Grisham speaking from the El Rito Solar Array at the Democratic
National Convention in 2020.
Embedded in Community
The campus is also an integral part of the El Rito community. The newly renovated Chacon Park is a local favorite of El Rito community families. The college hosts the Artist Mercado during the El Rito Arts Association Annual El Rito Arts Festival.
Northern frequently schedules meetings and town halls to share information with community members and receive feedback, such as our "El Rito Grito," as well as events like El Rito Movie Nights and our annual Holiday Celebration.
Local Volunteers and Renovation of Chacon Park
Ghost Ranch Outdoor Adventure Programs and our men’s and women’s basketball teams
participated in service projects to help spruce up the campus and Chacon Park. The
Ghost Ranch Team cleared park paths and renovated picnic tables and benches as part
of their summer projects. Northern's Women's and Men's Basketball teams worked to
make El Rito campus roadways safer by painting the speed bumps.
