Due to the weather events forecasted for Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8, the Las Vegas campus and Santa Fe center operations and all classes are canceled, effective at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 6.

New Mexico Highlands University welcomes Dr. Carmella Scorcia Pacheco as an assistant professor in Interdisciplinary Studies as part of the Bachelor of University Studies program.

Scorcia Pacheco, a proud Nuevo Mexicana with roots in northern New Mexico, joins the NMHU community from the University of Cincinnati, where she served as a visiting assistant professor of Spanish and Latino/a/x Cultural Studies and was a faculty affiliate of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. She earned her doctorate in Spanish with a concentration in Border Studies from the University of Arizona in 2023, focusing her research on utilizing the folkloric record to recover feminine-voiced narratives from 19th and early 20th century New Mexico.

Prior to her doctoral studies, Scorcia Pacheco obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Spanish from the University of New Mexico, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Roxanne Gonzales, NMHU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said, “Scorcia Pacheco’s diverse academic background and her dedication to recovering marginalized narratives will greatly enrich our academic community. Her interdisciplinary approach aligns perfectly with our commitment to diversity and inclusion within our curriculum.”

Scorcia Pacheco is particularly passionate about validating the cultural practices of the northern New Mexico region, emphasizing the importance of language and identity in her teaching philosophy.

“I want my students to feel that their stories and experiences matter,” she said. “It is crucial for them to embrace their heritage and be confident in their cultural expressions.”

Hiring Scorcia Pacheco marks a pivotal moment for the new Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) program, which aims to provide students with the flexibility to create individualized degree pathways that reflect their unique backgrounds and aspirations, Gonzales said.

“Her vision for the program will empower students to integrate their academic learning with real-world experiences, expanding options for our students and also supporting adults returning to college in their pursuit of completing their degrees,” she said.

With extensive teaching experience in Spanish as a Heritage Language, Scorcia Pacheco has dedicated her career to community-engaged scholarship. She believes that education should connect students to their cultural roots and foster a sense of belonging.

“I am excited to build a program that not only prioritizes academic rigor but also encourages students to express themselves creatively and collaboratively,” she said. “By prioritizing student perspectives, I aim to cultivate a learning environment that truly reflects the cultural significance of our community.”

Scorcia Pacheco’s scholarly work has been featured in notable publications, including The New Mexico Historical Review, The Journal of the Southwest, Borderlore Online Journal, New Mexico Poetry Anthology, Intersecciones, Hispánicas, and the Smithsonian Folklife Magazine.

Her goals for the BUS program include increasing visibility, enhancing student engagement and implementing an integrative approach to education that acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of students. Scorcia Pacheco is also focused on developing partnerships that will enrich the educational experience and strengthen community ties.

“I believe that education is a powerful tool for transformation,” she said. “Together, we can build a vibrant academic community that honors our cultural heritage and prepares students for their futures.”