New mini terms are offered at UNM-VC

As classes begin on the campus of Valencia County’s higher education institution, the chancellor is keeping his focus on making sure the needs and wants of the community are met.

“We are doing a lot of things to increase our offerings and making sure we are meeting the needs of the community,” said Dr. Sam Dosumu, University of New Mexico-Valencia chancellor. “Asking ourselves, ‘Are the things we are looking at what the community wants?’”

From expanded class offerings to free transportation to and from campus, Dosumu said he’s excited for the fall semester, which began Monday, Aug. 18.

To give students more access to core classes, the university has expanded what it offers during its “mini terms,” which are two eight-week class tracks offered in a single semester.

“We’ve expanded and increased our offerings during the eight week classes,” Dosumu said. “These mini terms allow students a lot more access. They don’t have to wait for the next semester to get another class started. We are making sure we have a lot of the basic, core classes available in the first half of the semester.”

The idea of having mini terms allows students to take two, eight-week classes in a semester, which might be easier for some students to manage rather than a more traditional class load of four, 16-week classes per semester, the chancellor said.

“You’re still a full-time student, but you’re able to carry and manage two classes at a time,” he said. “We realize students have other commitments and family responsibilities. Even our traditional students, they often work. So we want to make the college experience appealing. Coming from high school, your first semester can be a shock.”

Some of the classes included in the mini terms include business communication, public speaking, chemistry, English, history and various math courses.

Rita Garcia, the marketing manager for UNM-Valencia, said one way a student could “stack” mini term classes would be to take an introduction to marketing class in the first eight weeks then follow up with a needed accounting class in the second eight weeks.

“They can achieve that in one semester as opposed to waiting a full semester to take the second class,” Garcia said.

UNM-Valencia is an open enrollment school, so students can enroll for the second eight week mini term up until it begins on Oct. 10.

Dosumu noted it’s not encouraged for students to enroll in a course, especially the mini terms, after they have begun.

“The eight week courses tend to move pretty quickly. If a class starts on Monday and you don’t get in until Wednesday, you may find yourself somewhat behind,” he said. “Still, it’s a little bit more digestible. You can kind of look at it like it’s only eight weeks. That’s not so bad, and students only have to worry about two classes.

“As a two-year college, we want to retain students and make this a positive experience.”

To help students get ahead of the curve when it comes to higher education and paths forward after high school, Dosumu said UNM-Valencia advisors visit all the local high schools on a rotating basis.

“They talk to students about degree paths and programs, so they know what they are taking in high school is going to coincide with their future path,” he said. “The classes they’re taking to fulfill their graduation requirements at the high school can also align with a degree path.”

To get to and from campus easier and at no cost, starting Monday, Aug. 18, Rio Metro Route 209 will operate Monday through Thursday between the Los Lunas Rail Runner Station and the UNM-Valencia campus.

Buses to the campus will leave the train station, 101 Courthouse Road SE, at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

This schedule will provide university students and staff an easy, direct and convenient way to get to campus for fall classes during peak times with safe, reliable transportation.

Parking is available at the station or riders can be dropped off to catch a ride on the Campus Connection EXPRESS bus shuttle at the set times.

During the 2025-26 academic year, the university is going to be focused on building a welding and automotive facility at the Tomé campus, the chancellor said.

“It’s in the capital outlay process right now and we will know the outcome in October,” he said. “The plan is to have automotive technology and welding on this campus. That might mean having weekend and evening classes for the adult learner.”

Additionally, plans are still moving forward to establish certification programs for HVAC and electrical, he said.

“We are very excited to expand our offerings and meet the needs of the community,” Dosumu said.