Quay County Sun - Serving the High Plains

Mesalands Community College will receive nearly $1.2 million in federal emergency funds from the America Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 relief measure.

U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-Las Vegas) announced the funds for Mesalands in a news release last week. A total of $143 million will be given to colleges, universities and students in her 3rd Congressional District.

The announcement came shortly after Leger Fernandez and the Mesalands’ new president, Gregory Todd Busch, met.

According to a news release from the college, Busch emphasized the negative effect the pandemic has had on student enrollment, student success and student access at Mesalands.

Mesalands Community College stated it will invest a portion of the funds to students through the creation of an emergency relief fund for those affected by the pandemic. The college stated the emergency fund will allow it “to reduce or eliminate barriers restricting student access to education.”

These are the colleges in Leger Fernandez’s district who received the funds:

— St. John's College: $991,088

— Eastern New Mexico University: $11,198,855

— New Mexico Highlands University: $ 5,795,385

— San Juan College: $10,614,845

— University of New Mexico: $54,329,288

— Central New Mexico Community College: $37,145,081

— Clovis Community College: $4,223,788

— Luna Community College: $1,631,493

— Northern New Mexico College: $3,403,829

— Institute of American Indian & Alaska Native Culture: $1,263,858

— Santa Fe Community College: $5,565,844

— Navajo Technical University: $5,455,809

— Southwestern College: $99,763

— Mesalands Community College: $1,179,212

The American Rescue Plan provides $36 billion for nearly 3,500 public and private, nonprofit colleges and universities nationwide.