Dr. Magdaleno Manzanarez is currently affiliated with Western New Mexico University as the Vice President of External Affairs. In his capacity, he serves as a leader and mentor to the various departments under his wing of the University and is also a key coordinator in the University’s efforts to expand internationally. Before finding his home in Silver City, Dr. Manzanarez lives in various places in both the United States and Mexico. He received his education from various colleges: An AA in political science from Santa Rosa Junior College, a BA in international relations from Universidad de las Americas Puebla, an MA in political science from Sonoma State University, and finally a Ph. D. in political science from Northern Arizona University. Apart from his work at the University, Dr. Manzanarez also volunteers on several Board of Directors and is the author of several books discussing border conflicts. In his spare time, he loves to travel, visit with his daughter, and hold cookouts for his friends and family.

Marivel Medel joined Western New Mexico University in 2021. Marivel has a BA in English and Communications which she earned from WNMU in 2018. Marivel earned a certificate in UI/UX from CNM in 2021. Here she is responsible for assisting in the creation and implementation of the Title V Con Ganas Grant Project. This project aims to make WNMU’s curriculum more responsive and relevant, and supported, for our Hispanic / Latinx / Latina / Latino learners. Marivel has many connections to the community and enjoys fostering those relationships. Marivel also serves on the board of Literacy Link Leamos a local literacy non profit and is an active member of  LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens).

In her role of Director of Graduate Admissions & Outreach Programs, Jessica is a champion of the arch of the student experience at WNMU. She works with students entering WNMU as dual and concurrent enrollment students, teachers and schools who serve those students, and graduate students returning to WNMU to complete their master's degrees. When serving in this role, she pulls from her extensive experiences as an alumnus of WNMU and a seasoned employee. As a former student, Jessica earned a BA in Rehabilitation Services, MA in Counseling, MA in Interdisciplinary Studies, and graduate certificates in Psychology and English. Her varied degrees enrich her appreciation of the goals of our students. Additionally, her more than 20 years of work experience at WNMU spans several sectors of the university. She worked as an advisor in Academic Affairs, as the Executive Assistance to the Vice President of Business Affairs, and in admissions within Student Affairs. Her wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience at the university makes her an excellent advocate of students, programs, and the university overall. Jessica is excited and passionate about Graduate Admissions & Outreach Programs at WNMU and truly enjoys working with all students that come to be Mustangs.

Dr. Alexandra Neves is an Associate Professor of TESOL/Bilingual Education at the School of Education at Western New Mexico University, where she has been a faculty member since 2008. Originally from Brazil, she has taught all grade levels in her native country including adult literacy, and trained teachers in Brazil, Spain, Mexico and the United States. Dr. Neves completed her undergraduate and master’s studies at UNISUL in Brazil and her Ph.D. at New Mexico State University. Her main research interests are in the fields of language acquisition, teacher education and concepts of critical pedagogy and social justice, and teachers’ intercultural competence and their responsibility to examine unfair systems of power within schools and society. She has presented on these issues in the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Spain, the Dominican Republic, Greece and Brazil. Dr. Neves’s current research agenda revolves around best practices in the area of multiculturalism and cross-cultural understanding in teacher preparation.  Dr. Neves has collaborated with researchers and other scholars in the state of New Mexico on ELL teacher preparation grants providing mentorship for in-service and pre-service teachers in TESOL and bilingual programs. She is an active supporter of the implementation of bilingual, multicultural education programs at the state level.

Dr. Bustamente is an Associate Professor with the College of Education. A native New Mexican, Dr. Bustamante has been with Western New Mexico University for 20 years. His research focus includes: Bilingual Education, Multicultural Education, Ethnic Studies, Instructional Technologies and Design, Culturally Responsive Technology Enhanced Curriculum, and issues surrounding marginalized populations in the Borderland. Dr. Bustamante is a member of the State Ethnic Studies Council, Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators, Association of Ethnic Studies, Southern NM Equity forum, Transform Education NM (TENM), Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT), special interest group Culture Learning and Technology, Critical Race Studies in Education Association and was selected by the New Mexico Public Education Department to serve as an advisor on the Social Studies Curriculum Task Force.

Born and raised in El Paso, TX, Bryant was exposed at an early age to a vast amount of cultural diversity and musical performances. He quickly gained interest in becoming a musician and educator, and has since pursued this passion. His careers began at the age of seventeen when he was asked to perform with his first professional ensemble and later that year becoming the youngest Track Trumpeter in the horse racing circuit; a position that is televised live nationally and internationally every week. After maintaining that position for three years he felt the need to start his path towards becoming an educator, shortly thereafter he took on the role of Head Mariachi Instructor for the Court Youth Center and created the Mariachi program for Gadsden Middle School and Gadsden High School in Anthony, NM. In 2009 after many years of performance in two of the largest and most well-known Mariachi ensembles in the Southwest and Mexico, Bryant founded his own professional group Mariachi Raices de America. Since then he has successfully lead the group to  winning many awards and gaining prestigious recognition throughout the region. Beginning his career at WNMU, Bryant has worked his way up from an Adjunct Instructor to his current position as Music Program Coordinator. With the support of University Administration Bryant has taken Mariachi Plata from its modest beginning of four students to the now continually growing and award-winning ensembles of the Southwest.