Navajo Technical University: STEM Programs Make Positive Impression On U.S. Senator Heinrich
CROWNPOINT, NM – On Friday, June 5, 2015, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) visited the northwestern side of New Mexico in recognition and observance of regional efforts towards veteran affairs, affordable housing and higher education. While Senator Heinrich visited Gallup to witness and experience regional progress in veteran affairs and affordable housing, he traversed to Crownpoint to observe the advancement of STEM education through the efforts of Navajo Technical University.
NTU has expanded its educational offerings in STEM fields by developing six baccalaureate degrees since 2011. Since then, the university has graduated over ten students who have majored in IT-Computer Science, IT-Digital Manufacturing, IT-New Media or Environmental Science and Natural Resources. NTU expects to graduate students within its other two STEM baccalaureate degree programs in Industrial Engineering and Electronic Engineering within the next two years.
Producing STEM graduates has been a national priority after the United States Department of Commerce estimated that by 2018, the U.S. would have 1.2 million unfilled jobs in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Because of this, Senator Heinrich made it a point to see what was occurring at NTU.
During his visit, Senator Heinrich toured several of NTU’s facilities and was introduced to several projects the university is currently undertaking. They include NTU’s “Internet to the Hogan” project, which recently joined efforts with the University of New Mexico in developing a redundant link to ensure high-speed Internet access throughout the northwestern part of the state, and NTU’s radio station project - which is expected to be operational by the beginning of July.
Senator Heinrich also got to tour NTU’s Center for Digital Technologies, which houses the university’s efforts in 3D printing, laser scanning, rapid prototyping, and robotics and engineering. The futuristically driven center provided insight to the Senator into the work the university has been doing in collaboration with national agencies such as NASA and Boeing, as well as the creative application of STEM projects by NTU students.
“It’s inspiring to see what the students are doing,” stated Senator Heinrich, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia and now serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources, Armed Services, Intelligence, and Joint Economic Committees. “They’re doing things that would have never been possible when I went to school.”
In addition to touring NTU’s four-year degree programs and facilities, the Senator also visited NTU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, which houses NTU’s Associate of Science degree program in Veterinary Technician. NTU became a land grant institution in 1994 under the Elementary and Secondary Education Reauthorization Act and has since placed a focus on agriculture and science education. Much of the program’s efforts have been community-driven using federal aid to help fund community awareness workshops on livestock care and service learning opportunities for students to apply classroom learning in the local community.
Navajo Technical University President Dr. Elmer J. Guy hosted Senator Heinrich’s visit, along with his cabinet and members of the NTU Board of Regents.
