Heidi Sanchez, BS
Public Education and Outreach Coordinator
One of the friendliest faces you’ll see at Sunspot, Heidi works as the Observatory’s program specialist and public education outreach coordinator. Her goal is to enhance the visitor experience, which includes managing the visitor center, tracking in-store and online sales, planning and supervising educational outreach programs, and increasing public awareness of the Observatory.
While she has been working at Sunspot Solar Observatory since June 2018, Heidi has worked for New Mexico State University for over eleven years. She initally started at the STEM Outreach Center in the College of Education, where she oversaw STEM-based afterschool programs. Prior to working at NMSU, Heidi—who holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, K-8—was a public school teacher in Las Cruces and has over fifteen years of experience in retail, which she says has helped to prepare her for the role she plays at Sunspot’s visitor center.
After growing up for several years in Belgium and Germany, Heidi’s family settled in Albuquerque. She later relocated to Las Cruces, NM with her husband, living there for over twenty years. Now, they live in the beautiful Lincoln National Forest, just a short walk from the Dunn Solar Telescope. Soon after their arrival, Heidi and her husband realized what a hidden gem they'd encountered and quickly fell in love with Sunspot. They often spend their time enjoying the beautiful view of White Sands National Park from their home, walking trails with their two dogs—Noa and Jax—and laying out in the hammock with a good book. Heidi’s appreciation for the Sun has grown since living and working at Sunspot, and she strives to show everyone just how relevant the work they do at DST is. When asked what is so special about visiting this place, she said:
“It’s just a great day trip and a great place for families to come! The views and the scenery are amazing. We’re a great place to have a picnic lunch, and we are very personable at the Visitor Center. We greet you, make you feel welcomed, and on our tours, we go all out, sharing a lot about Sunspot’s history and how the telescope operates—including the instruments that are used and the research that's being done. We’re still small enough to engage with every person on a personal level, you know? You’re getting an experience you might not necessarily get at a location. My hope is that visitors gain a better understanding of how this place came into existence and why Sunspot needs to be preserved.”