San Juan College

San Juan College serves the northwestern region of New Mexico. This region is known for its rough desert terrain and where the four states, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico, come together (Four Corners Region). San Juan College is in San Juan County’s largest town, Farmington, New Mexico. The following largest towns are Aztec, Shiprock, and Bloomfield, all under 8,000 in population. Additionally, one of the largest federally recognized Native American tribes, the Navajo Nation, comprises one-third of San Juan College’s service area; four other Native American Tribes (Jicarilla-Apache, Southern Ute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Hopi) lie adjacent to its district. As a result, San Juan College serves a culturally diverse population of 8,098 unduplicated total undergraduate students (San Juan College Institutional Research, October 2023). Currently, student demographics are 32% Native Americans, 20% Hispanic, 37% White, and 10% All Others (San Juan College Institutional Research, October 2023). Indeed, San Juan College is a regional leader in education and provides quality education to approximately 8,000 unduplicated students seeking educational credit programs through face-to-face and online classes each year. Students can choose from over 145 two-year degree and certificate programs. In addition, the College provides workforce training to approximately 3,592 students and delivers non-credit community learning classes to 1,900 students annually. Dedicated to student success and completion, SJC offers innovative, challenging, and affordable academic programs that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the global economy. Like many community colleges and universities, San Juan College offers summer camps for youth to enroll and participate in while not in school. Summer camps provide personal and social advantages and educational benefits to students. Youth participating in the summer camps can explore new interests, experience college campus life, and build towards college applications. The Jicarilla Apache Youth Camp was provided to 12 youth interns to build upon their technical and emotional skills. The 12 youth interns received training in soft employability skills and resume building and learned about career pathways. Then, Kids Kollege is a summer enrichment program for children and teens to explore, expand, and experience areas of interest. GenCyber is a camp for middle and high school students to explore technology and learn the importance of cyber safety. Lastly, San Juan College administers student employment and internships on campus to provide students with purposeful learning and engagement opportunities to help build career readiness skills and retention. The on-campus employment opportunities are designed to enhance the student experience in multiple ways based on academic enrichment, financial capabilities, flexibility, and engagement between supervisors, professionals, and peers. Students genuinely benefit from the convenience of working near their educational resources and extra or co-curricular activities. Students living in student housing and participating in student employment on campus can save time and gas.