She began teaching 13 years ago as a psychology instructor at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM); she was also the faculty coordinator of the college’s service learning program. Before coming to NMSU, Mary was the Dean of Social Sciences and Public Service at Illinois Valley Community College. Since coming to NMSU, she has also served as the grant evaluator for the American Association of Community Colleges’ Broadening Horizons through Service Learning project, which focuses on service learning’s connection to civic engagement, learning outcomes, and retention.