Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell
Grants Awarded
The ENMU-Roswell Walking Trail with Exercise Equipment Project, developed by the 3rd Leadership Fellows Cohort, transforms leftover alumni funds into an accessible, well-lit fitness trail for local low-income neighborhoods, schools, and workforce programs. The trail provides a safe exercise alternative to busy streets, particularly benefiting local youth demographics such as low-income Hispanic and Native American children under 18. With collaborators like the Roswell Police Department and Roswell Job Corps, the project fortifies community partnerships, health awareness, and overall quality of life through a sustainable, inclusive recreational space.
Eastern New Mexico University–Roswell (ENMU-R) is a public, two-year, Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to expanding access to high-quality higher education in southeastern New Mexico. As the only accredited institution of higher education with an open-door admissions policy within a 70-mile radius of Roswell, ENMU-R plays a vital role in meeting the educational and workforce needs of the region. The university serves more than 2,800 students pursuing academic transfer pathways and career and technical education aligned with high-demand, high-wage occupations. ENMU-R is the second largest of New Mexico’s ten branch community colleges. ENMU-R serves Chaves County, an area marked by significant economic challenges. Approximately 25% of children in the county live in poverty, and 34.4% of families are considered low income, with 22.26% living below the federal poverty level. Chaves County’s per capita income is 19.6% lower than the state average, and its poverty rate exceeds that of New Mexico overall—a state that ranks among the highest in the nation for poverty. In this context, ENMU-R functions as a critical engine for educational access, workforce preparation, and upward mobility. The university has a demonstrated record of engaging diverse and historically underserved populations, including rural residents, first-generation college students, and economically disadvantaged individuals. ENMU-R maintains strong partnerships with public schools, local governments, businesses, and community organizations, enabling it to reach broad audiences and respond effectively to local needs. Its experience working with populations that have limited access to educational, recreational, and workforce resources strengthens its capacity to deliver inclusive and impactful programs. ENMU-R’s mission is to empower a diverse community with academic and technical skills; support and prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world; and collaborate with business, industry, educational institutions, and the ENMU System. The institution is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and holds programmatic accreditations from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education. Through its mission, partnerships, and accredited programs, ENMU-Roswell continues to advance educational opportunity and economic resilience across southeastern New Mexico. The project benefits from strong partnerships with local organizations. Roswell Job Corps, located in close proximity to the trail, is an active partner through an existing Memorandum of Understanding with ENMU-R’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) Program.