Community college honors alumni, sets alumni network

Doña Ana Community College’s distinguished alumni class of 2023 incudes Robyn Banegas, Rosario Barela, Daniel Gonzales and Jonathon Sepp, who “were chosen for their contributions to their professions and their communities,” DACC said in a news release.

Banegas, representing computer and information technology, has a bachelor’s degree in secondary math education and a masters in Christian education. She received an associate degree in computer and information technology from DACC in 2020. A former high school math teacher, Banegas is a full stack developer with Las Cruces Public Schools former tech chair of the SkillsUSA Computer Programming Competition.

Barela, representing criminal justice, is a 1996 graduate of Mayfield High School. She has an associate’s degree from DACC and a bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University, both in criminal justice. A single mother of three, Barela, made the dean’s list twice. She is an administrative assistant at the NMSU Police Department and an instructor for the officer wellness and resiliency program.

Gonzales, representing radiologic technology, is director of diagnostics imaging for Carlsbad Medical Center in Carlsbad, New Mexico and president of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. He graduated from the DACC radiology program in 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's degree in radiologic sciences. Gonzales has been on the DACC Radiologic Technology Program Advisory Board since 1988.

Sepp, representing DAAC’s Creative Media Technology program, is a 2009 graduate of Las Cruces High School. He earned a certificate from the DACC Film Crew Training Program the same year. Sepp has a bachelor’s degree in creative media in digital film making, which he earned from NMSU in 2013. Sepp serves as film liaison for Film Las Cruces, a nonprofit working to bring film and television production to Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.  

Alumni network

DACC is calling on its alumni to join its newly created DACC alumni network.

The network is for any former DACC student, DACC said in a news release. It was created to foster “an involved and active relationship between students, alumni and the community. Alumni will also receive resources to help them continue their path after college, as well as networking opportunities,” the news release said.

DACC alumni can join the network at https://marcomm.formstack.com/forms/alumni_subscribe.

Each month, an honorary alumni will be picked at random and highlighted on the college’s alumni page.

DACC has hired DACC alumnus Melinda Wallace as alumni relations coordinator. She earned a degree in anthropology from UTEP and worked for nearly 15 years as an archeologist before earning an associate’s degree in advanced technology and multiple certificates from DACC, the community college said.

For more information, email news@dacc.nmsu.edu.

Visit dacc.nmsu.edu.