Northern New Mexico College to award Gilberto Romero with honorary degree

Northern to award mental health advocate with honorary degree

By Northern New Mexico College

Northern New Mexico College is to award long-time mental health advocate and former NNMC faculty member Gilberto Romero with an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Humanities on Saturday, in recognition of his services to the communities of northern New Mexico.

Mr. Romero, who was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM, is renowned for his nearly five decades of tireless work and activism for underprivileged and underrepresented populations struggling with mental illness in northern New Mexico.

In addition to his work as a substance abuse counselor, Mr. Romero has worked with families affected by domestic violence, and demonstrates an unparalleled knowledge of working in resource deprived rural settings.

He has received the National Association of Social Workers’ Public Citizen of the Year award, the Latino Behavioral Health Institute’s Honor Roll award, which is given to community members who exemplify the ideals of César E. Chávez and Dolores Huerta by making meaningful contributions to the public good through leadership, service, and education, and the N.M. Governor’s recognition for Achievement in Aging award, among many others.

Mr. Romero describes himself as “a practitioner of human kindness.” He exemplifies a nonviolent philosophy in the struggle against injustice and the fight for peace and dignity in his community.

Northern New Mexico College is proud to recognize the life and work of Gilberto Romero, who will undoubtedly serve as a role model for generations to come.

Northern New Mexico College is a minority-serving institution, offering bachelor’s, associate, and certificate programs.

The college primarily serves rural communities within a 40-mile radius of its campus in Española, New Mexico, within one of the most underserved regions in the state.