September Newsletter

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month!

As we welcome September, we are excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

We also want to recognize one of our alumni, Yesenia Montalvo, and the impact she has made in the healthcare industry since graduating from SFCC. She has helped so many New Mexicans and we are proud to share her story.

Don’t forget to check out the events happening this month and be sure to read to the end for an exciting announcement!

Each year the United States Department of Agriculture picks a theme for the year. 2024’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” This year, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and elevates the people who are fighting for the future of their communities. Hispanic leaders around the world show determination that shapes the future of their communities, including leaders right here in New Mexico.

For New Mexicans, Hispanic Heritage Month is full of events for community members to attend. From the New Mexico State Fair Parade to the South Valley Muertos and Marigold Procession and Celebration, there are dozens of events put on by local New Mexico organizers.

Want to learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month?

• Hispanic Heritage Month Government Website
• National Museum of the American Latino: Hispanic Heritage Month Resources

Putting skills to the test

The 2020 pandemic proved to be a test of body, mind, and spirit for the entire world, especially the essential workers that provided life saving care to patients. They showed their true perseverance and determination to help others. One of these passionate essential workers? Yesenia, a Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) student who became a respiratory care practitioner during the 21st century’s largest respiratory pandemic. 

Yesenia says, “at SFCC, you are immersed in a diverse population based on age, cultures and curiosities. I was able to get ahead at my own pace and discover my passion along the way.” During Yesenia’s time at SFCC she received an outpouring of support from the Santa Fe Community College Foundation (SFCCF). From financial aid to community support, Yesenia felt “encouragement from all angles.”

From a young age, Yesenia knew that she wanted to help people, studying in the medical field put this into reality for her. At SFCC, Yesenia “discovered a medical course that’s important to the community but does not get the recognition it deserves,” the Respiratory Care Program. She graduated from this program and even came back to instruct in it.

During the pandemic, Yesenia’s skills were put to the test. Armed with knowledge from SFCC, she was on the front lines of the pandemic, caring for patients with covid. She says, “we managed ventilators, gave medications through breathing treatments, and provided therapies where we were constantly exposed to respiratory droplets.” 

The education and support that Yesenia received from SFCC and SFCCF helped shape her into the person she is today. She says, “I am thankful for being an alumni at SFCC and will always look back with gratitude for the opportunities it has given me.” 

Thank you, Yesenia. Your dedication and hard work has saved many lives in New Mexico.

At the Santa Fe Community College Foundation, our mission is to empower students to reach their full potential and succeed in their educational pursuits. With that being said, we are excited to announce that Santa Fe Community College has been recognized as the #1 community college in New Mexico and the fourth best in the nation! 

We can not take credit for this amazing achievement without thanking all those who contribute to what makes SFCC so special. None of this would be possible without the invaluable support of our donors. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to continuing the incredible work we do together!

Kelly A. Marquez, MBA
Executive Director
kelly.marquez@sfcc.edu