The New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (NMAMA), formerly known as Media Arts Collaborative Charter School (MACCS), is currently seeking dedicated community members to join its Governing Council.
Governing Council Seeks Applicants
The New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (NMAMA), formerly known as Media Arts Collaborative Charter School (MACCS), is currently seeking dedicated community members to join its Governing Council.
Office: 505.243.1957
Albuquerque Native Eddie Tafoya is an author, comedian, and college professor. He has written five books on comedy, including The Legacy of the Wisecrack: Stand-up Comedy as the Great American Literary Form. In 2022, he appeared in the A&E docuseries, The Right to Offend: The Black Comedy Revolution. His book The Marxist Revolution: How Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo Changed the Way We Laugh is due out later this year. He is a professor of English at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Office: 505.243.1957
Channing Concho is currently the Vice President of NMAMA and has been serving on the board for over 5 years. She is an enrolled tribal member of the Laguna Pueblo and is also affiliated with the Acoma Pueblo and Hopi tribe of Arizona. Ms. Concho is a Cultural Ambassador for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center with over 18 years of experience within the local Food & Beverage Service. She prides herself in sharing cultural education through Indigenous storytelling and Pueblo Hospitality.
Channing holds a true passion for music, entertainment, and the media arts. As a musician herself, she knows how important it is to empower and inspire the youth to pursue their talents and aspirations for their future success. Channing has used her award-winning music as a platform to collaborate with numerous organizations and schools to promote and advocate for Native American Rights and Equality, Murdered and Missing Indigenous Relatives, Bullying, Domestic Violence and Alcohol/Substance abuse. She continues to grow within the community, volunteering her time and support to those on and off the reservation.
Carolyn Carlson is an award- winning journalist covering local government for over 35 years in Central New Mexico. She is the former owner/publisher of The Estancia Valley/Torrance County Citizen and a veteran of the Albuquerque Journal, Weekly Alibi, New Mexico Compass, The Paper, and City Desk ABQ. Carolyn is also a licensed private investigator and was an elected public official serving on the Estancia Town Council from 1995 to 2000. She currently writes for the North Valley News. She is also a co-chair for the annual New Mexico Press Women’s Communications Contest.
Office: 505.243.1957
Manuelito was born in Albuquerque, NM, and was raised in the South Valley. As an Albuquerque local, he worked in the fields of the food industry, retail, clerical, healthcare, warehouse, and with the NM Bio Park Society.
Manuelito enjoys his time listening to records, painting, gardening, going to the gym, thrifting, and being in nature (preferably walking along the Rio Grande Bosque).
He feels blessed and happy that he is included in part of the Media Arts team and is looking forward to learning and growing with us.
Office: 505.243.1957
Email: cclyne@nmmediaarts.org
Courtney has lived in New Mexico for over half her life. She loves the sunsets and sunrises of New Mexico. Courtney has lived in Tennessee and came back to where her heart really is. She comes from a small family here in Albuquerque and Bosque Farms.
Courtney has most recently become a medical assistant. This is how she was introduced to NMAMA. She loves how friendly the staff and students are and she chose to become part of the school family.
She has several hobbies some of which including making Jewelry, paper quilling, and most recently making vinyl decals.
Office: 505.243.1957
Email: avicente@nmmediaarts.org
Andrea Vicente has worked as a SPED Teacher Assistant on the Pueblo of Isleta. She enjoys working with students on a one-to-one basis specializing in Reading, often creating incentives for students to work on assignments. She has also helped with the after school programs and with parent nights where she would frequently send home progress reports. Lastly, Ms. Vicente visits senior citizens around the Isleta Pueblo community and is an active member of the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha group.
Office: 505.243.1957
Taihg McCabe is a student filmmaker, writer, photographer, and journalist in Albuquerque, NM. He currently attends New Mexico Academy for the Media Arts (f.k.a. Media Arts Collaborative Charter School) and serves as Student Representative to the Governance Council. In his time at Media Arts, he has produced broadcasts, films, and documentaries, including directing an award-winning documentary, “Hear Our Voices”, focused on the youth mental health crisis.
Taihg regularly volunteers for multiple nonprofits and local organizations, including Indivisible Albuquerque, where he is a student board member and chair of the Technology Committee, broadcasting their weekly meetings. In addition, Taihg is a board member and webmaster of the Southeast Heights Neighborhood Association.
Recently, Taihg has redesigned the NMAMA website.
Office: 505.243.1957
I am Cecy Barffuson a Bilingual School Social Worker originally from Mexico that has worked for over 18 years with children of all ages around the State of New Mexico. I had the privilege to work in different areas and capacities around New Mexico. Rural and Urban counties like Valencia, Sandoval, Torrance, Santa Fe, Socorro, Cibola, Bernalillo, and Mckiley. I am passionate about helping diverse students to achieve their educational, social, and emotional goals so they learn the necessary skills to achieve quality of life.
My name is Chris Jones, and I’m honored and excited to serve as the Executive Director of NMAMA. I began my career in charter schools in 2005 and bring over fourteen years of experience as a school and district administrator.
My academic background includes undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Professional Technical Education, along with graduate degrees in Reading Education and Educational Administration.
Outside of work, my greatest pride and joy are my two daughters, Ry and My.
Joining this vibrant community feels like coming home, taking me back to my roots in the UNM/Nob Hill area. I’m truly thrilled to be part of NMAMA and look forward to a great journey ahead.
