Road to redemption

At 47 years old, Jason Meyer is learning how to maneuver a 53-foot trailer through tight turns and crowded cones — skills he hopes will help him leave years of addiction and incarceration behind. 

Inside Dona Ana Community College’s Truck Driving Academy, Meyer says earning a commercial driver’s license represents more than a career opportunity. It’s a chance to rebuild his life. 

“This school doesn’t judge you for your past mistakes,” Meyer said. “They look beyond it and they try to help you in every opportunity you can.” 

Meyer, who spent years battling addiction before entering the program, said trucking became both a career path and a way to separate himself from the life he wanted to leave behind. 

“It’s been a dream of mine to stay out of prison,” Meyer said. “The trucking industry gives second chances for people with felonies like me. It gives me an opportunity to become a better person.” 

His story reflects part of what DACC leaders say the program was designed to do when the college launched its own CDL academy in 2019. Before then, DACC partnered with outside truck driving schools. David Ortiz, training specialist for the academy, said the college eventually decided to create its own operation after continued demand from prospective students. 

“We were still getting phone calls from people interested in the program,” Ortiz said. “So the director at the time basically said, ‘Why don’t we make our own program?’” 

What began with a single truck and one instructor has expanded into a growing regional program with eight trucks and 14 instructors serving students across southern New Mexico. Ortiz said much of that growth has been fueled by nationwide demand for commercial drivers and people searching for stable careers with higher wages. 

“There is a driver shortage,” Ortiz said. “Lots of people are looking to change careers, make more money and advance their lives.” 

The academy now maintains a 96% pass rate on New Mexico’s CDL skills exam, something Ortiz attributes to experienced instructors and updated equipment. Combined, instructors bring more than a century of experience from the trucking industry, according to Ortiz. Students also train using commercial driving simulators before transitioning onto the road. 

“We have some of the best equipment out there,” Ortiz said. “The simulators really help students build experience before they jump into the actual truck.” 

For instructor Robert Herrera, the work goes beyond teaching technical skills. A retired UPS driver trainer who joined the academy during its early years, Herrera said confidence and consistency often matter as much as driving ability. 

“You have to have the right mindset,” Herrera said. “Every time they get behind the wheel, it’s an improvement.” 

Herrera said he has watched students rebuild their lives through the program, particularly those trying to move beyond difficult circumstances. 

“We get some students that come from the halfway house or incarceration that need a second chance,” Herrera said. “This changes their lives completely. It gives them opportunity to advance themselves and their career.” 

That focus on student success helped inspire DACC’s first annual CDL Skills Roadeo, which took place on May 30 at the Workforce and Community Engagement Center on Nevada Avenue. The event will feature instructors competing in maneuver-based challenges, including backing exercises and precision driving tests designed to mirror real-world trucking situations. Organizers also plan to host food, families, and community activities throughout the day.  

“We’re really proud and happy to serve the community,” Ortiz said. “Students are why we’re here. Student success is what keeps this place going.” 

For Meyer, the road ahead remains demanding, but for the first time in years, he said the direction feels clear. 

After completing training, he hopes to spend the next decade working over-the-road trucking jobs while supporting his family and continuing the life he fought to rebuild. 

“I want to take care of my family and pay my bills,” Meyer said. “It gives you an accomplishment in your life. Once you finish it, you have a lot higher self-esteem than before.”