Mesalands Community College is one of only two Host Training Organizations for the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Training Institute Education Center in the State of New Mexico. This new agreement allows Mesalands Community College to offer more OSHA certification programs, through the OSHA Education Center at UTA.

“Mesalands Community College is the only higher education institution in the State of New Mexico, designated as a Host Training Organization for the University of Texas at Arlington OSHA Education Center,” Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, President of Mesalands Community College said. “This is a very good opportunity for our students, institution, and for our community.”

According to their website, the OSHA Education Center at UTA is the top-ranked OSHA Training Institute Education Center in the country. The OSHA Education Center at UTA provides courses to teach OSHA standards for the general industry, construction industry, and oil and gas fields for Region VI. Region VI covers Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The other  Host Training Organization in the State of New Mexico is located in Albuquerque.

Mellissa Gardner, Program Manager for the University of Texas at Arlington, OSHA Training Institute Education Center, states that any safety professional will benefit from these OSHA courses.

“This will allow Mesalands Community College to offer another opportunity to the community and safety and health professionals, as a location to host training for the UTA OSHA Education Center,” Gardner said.

Dr. John Bauler, Director of Distance Education and Adjunct Wind Energy Technology instructor at Mesalands Community College will be one of the instructors teaching OSHA courses at Mesalands.

Dr. Bauler stated with this new agreement, Mesalands will be able to offer the following certification programs: Specialist in Safety and Health (SSH), Certified Safety and Health Official (CSHO), Safety Health and Environmental Professional (SHEP), and Master Certification.

“I think it has the possibility to bring people to Tucumcari to take courses. I also think that it will give us regional notoriety and beyond. These are courses that people take all over the U.S.,” Dr. John Bauler said. “I think it will definitely impact our College and our community.”