Keeping traditions alive: Mayordomo earns degree, inspires rural students

"I got tired of being a statistic of those without a degree," says Vicente Fernandez.

So, after more than four decades of military service and a lifetime rooted in the rural communities of northern New Mexico, Fernandez decided it was finally time to pursue something he had long set aside: a college education.

"I always wanted to obtain a degree so I could further enrich my life as well as my family and community," said Fernandez. "Society views those without a degree as a person of lesser intellect, which is not true."

For years, raising a family young, balancing work, and lacking resources meant college remained out of reach. Only after retiring from the military with more than 41 years of service did he finally have the time to begin.

"I started at UNM at a later stage in my life," said Fernandez. "My family was in a good place, and I had the time to pursue something I had always wanted."

Fernandez enrolled at UNM-Taos, spending two years there before transitioning to UNM's main campus in Albuquerque. He earned his Liberal Arts degree, completing a mix of in-person and online courses that kept him connected to the nonprofit work that remains central to his life.

"I chose to take some courses at the university and some online. I tried to schedule them as close to each other as possible so I would not have the long commute," said Fernandez. "Although I enjoyed being in the classroom better, the online courses worked well as my schedule with nonprofit organizations was taking up a lot of my time."

Throughout his studies, one motivation remained constant: giving back to his community.

"I have always believed that community is a very important part of our lives," said Fernandez. "Being able to give back to the community is very rewarding and gratifying. A lot of people get educated but never give back to the community that raised them. That was my big motivation."

His coursework also strengthened a passion he has carried since childhood, protecting the land and water systems that sustain northern New Mexico.

"I have always had a deep reverence for both water management and the environment. They go hand in hand," said Fernandez. "My studies there at UNM and the people I met opened a world of information where I could research and talk to experts in these areas."

As mayordomo of the Acequia Madre del Sur de Cañon del Don Fernando, Fernandez helps maintain one of the region's oldest communal traditions.

"Acequias are the glue that keep the community together," said Fernandez. "It is so rewarding knowing that you are keeping a tradition that our culture has depended on for hundreds of years alive and well and knowing that what you are doing will last well after you are gone."

His leadership also extends to the Rio Don Fernando watershed project, where he recently welcomed his younger brother to the effort

"To keep the project going, I need to train someone to take over after I am gone," said Fernandez. "We are continually recruiting people for our project. It has been hard to get people involved, but through community meetings and word of mouth, we will achieve our goal of saving our watershed and our forests for future generations."

Ensuring the stability of tradition means inspiring young people to step into leadership roles.

"We involve younger students by offering them a chance to work with one of our participants and through community meetings," said Fernandez. "Working with other nonprofit organizations is also a way of finding young people that are interested."

His hope is that future generations not only inherit the landscape he has worked to protect, but the values that shaped it.

"I hope that the younger generation gets more involved," said Fernandez. "Most young people from rural areas move out due to lack of opportunity. But my hope is that they will return to the place that nurtured them and give back to the community to keep our culture and traditions alive."

Fernandez also encourages anyone from locals or newcomers to engage with the community and its traditions.

"Come to our acequia or community meetings," said Fernandez. "Speak with locals. They will tell you what needs to be done."

As both a UNM alumnus and a community leader, Fernandez hopes people remember the shared effort behind keeping northern New Mexico's traditions thriving.

"My hope is that they remember why our acequias, our forest, our community, our traditions, and our culture are still thriving," said Fernandez. "Not only because of my efforts, but the efforts of those that came before us-the blood, sweat, and tears that go into keeping a community alive."

Education, he said, empowered him to become a stronger advocate and leader.

"Having a good education where you can make things happen and not have to wait for others, that is what my time at UNM taught me."

And for students in rural communities who may feel the challenges, Fernandez offers a simple message.

"I would tell them not to give up," said Fernandez. "It takes discipline, hard work, and time. But the results you get at the end will forever be with you. They will make your life better."