2021 Innovation of the Year Award

As San Juan County turned into one of the highest COVID-19 positive counties in New Mexico, it became nearly impossible to find vendors that could keep medical facilities well stocked in necessary supplies. In a time of need, the San Juan College Makerspace partnered with ABC Canvas and PESCO to produce face shields and ventilator hose adapters for San Juan Regional Medical Center, Pinon Family Practice, and Northern Navajo Medical Center. Each team member used their services in an innovative way to produce 700 medical face shields and 150 ventilator hose adapters. A New Mexico Tech freshman majoring in engineering, a PESCO business development manager, the owner of ABC Canvas, and San Juan College’s President became aware of the community’s need for personal protective equipment and worked together to solve the problem.

This project was recognized with a 2021 Innovation of the Year Award from League Board and Alliance member colleges. Projects recognized with this prestigious award reflect capstone achievements and the spirit of innovation and experimentation upon which the League was founded. This award acknowledges innovative programs, practices, partnerships, policies, and activities that improve the ability of institutions to serve students and the community and to honor the faculty, staff, and administrators who have created and implemented them. Granting this award provides a venue for showcasing these innovations and the dedicated community college educators who strive for excellence on a daily basis.