SW New Mexico News

Since 2021, Rebecca Torres has been a key member of the team dedicated to maintaining safety at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Alongside her role, she is pursuing a bachelor's degree in public health.

As a program compliance specialist for NMSU's Environmental Health Safety and Risk Management (EHS&RM), Torres plays a crucial role in developing, maintaining, and managing various programs aimed at ensuring community safety. These programs cover areas such as research and lab safety, chemical and waste management, occupational safety, risk management, environmental compliance, the unoccupied aerial systems program, Sponsored Youth Programs, workers' compensation, and the Fire Life Safety Program.

Torres provides administrative support to EHS&RM Executive Director Polly Saenz daily. She collaborates with assistant directors to manage the department’s learning management system called HSI. Her responsibilities also include updating safety trainings, posting annual reports on the EHS&RM website, processing permits for vehicles and utility carts as well as purchase orders for hazardous waste pick-up quarterly. Additionally, she handles requests for on-campus waste pick-ups and manages departmental communications.

Throughout her career, Torres has held various jobs involving direct interaction with the public across service, retail, and medical fields. "Since I was in high school," she stated, "I have always had a job where I was working with the public... I enjoy helping people."

To further her career prospects within this field, Torres decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in public health. She already holds an associate degree and two professional certificates from Doña Ana Community College. "I am proud to know our department is doing what we can to keep the NMSU community safe," she expressed. "That is why I decided to go back to school."

Torres aims to complete her bachelor’s degree by 2026. Jagdish Khubchandani praised her contributions: “This is what makes NMSU and our learning environment unique... The learning is bidirectional.”