LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) – New Mexico State University (NMSU) is working on connecting with its community on campus by focusing on its student-run café.
“So, the coffee shop started around five or seven years ago,” said Fashion Merchandising and Design program Associate Professor Kelley Coffeen.
The Sam Steele café inside Gerald Thomas Hall at New Mexico State University has made a name for itself over the years.
“Focusing on student-made products for re-sale, food products for re-sale,” said Coffeen.
Coffee and sweets made by students for students, coming a few feet away in the Food Science Department. Coffeen said now they want to expand to offer even more.
“What we want to do is get more options to our students, faculty, and staff and wanted to bring in baked goods,” said Coffeen.
In order to make it happen, Coffeen said they’ve brought in Doña Ana Community College.
“They have baking courses. They have a club that travels, and so I reached out to Chef Tom Drake and Chef Cecilia Castro and asked if we could collaborate,” said Coffeen.
DACC jumped on the opportunity, creating new baked goods for sale.
“Of course, we do the basic chocolate chip cookie. We do the basic blueberry muffin, but we have banana chocolate muffins. We’ve done cranberry white chocolate scones. We’ve done chocolate pear muffins,” said Coffeen.
They’re working to make it more affordable for all.
“Over the years, the prices have been creeping up like the coffees, and so the minute I started getting involved, we all just decided we’d bring the prices down for our students and staff and faculty,” said Coffeen.
It’s a hope to bring variety to an area of campus that needs it.
“It’s just a place where we can build community, and we can serve those around us,” said Coffeen.
Plus, this coming Fall Coffeen said the café will also have merchandise available to buy.
