September Student of the Month

Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) is proud to recognize Kristel Baca as a Mountain Lion Student of the Month for September, honoring her persistence, personal and academic growth, commitment to serving others, and contributions to the SENMC community.

Kristel was nominated by her Professor, Cindy Wang. Ms. Wang has had the opportunity to witness Kristel's growth as an Early Childhood Education student and through her role as an ESL Voices Program Assistant.

In her nomination, Ms. Wang highlighted Kristel's persistence, resourcefulness, and growth as she developed her confidence and skills working with young English language learners. Rather than becoming discouraged by the challenges of learning a new role, Kristel continued to work hard, seek ways to better support the children she serves, and steadily develop her own teaching voice.

Throughout the past year, Kristel has grown into a confident and capable assistant. Her work with young learners requires patience, creativity, adaptability, and the ability to build trust. Ms. Wang noted that Kristel consistently finds new ways to explain concepts, adapts activities when needed, and demonstrates genuine care for the children and families she serves.

What makes Kristel's accomplishment especially meaningful is how her own development has mirrored the growth she helps create in her students. As the children in the ESL Voices Program have progressed, Kristel has also become more skilled, confident, and passionate about early childhood education.

“Watching this parallel growth over the past year has been one of the most rewarding parts of working with her, and I am proud and excited to nominate her for this recognition,” Ms. Wang shared in her nomination.

Kristel will be formally recognized by the college and invited to attend an SENMC Board of Trustees meeting in December in celebration of her achievement.

The Mountain Lion Student of the Month Award recognizes SENMC students who exemplify the values of the college while demonstrating leadership, community involvement, personal and academic growth, and a commitment to serving others.

Southeast New Mexico College congratulates Kristel Baca on this outstanding recognition and celebrates the persistence, growth, and dedication she brings to the Mountain Lion community.