Mesalands Community College Acquires Semi-Truck for New CDL Training Program

The college aims to soon set up a six-week commercial driver's license program to turn enrollees into professional drivers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:00am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a Kenworth semi-truck repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant, and unnatural neon color palettes overlapping with heavy black photographic outlines to turn the everyday commercial vehicle into modern pop art.A new semi-truck acquisition signals Mesalands Community College's commitment to training the next generation of commercial drivers.Tucumcari Today

Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, New Mexico has taken delivery of a new Kenworth semi-truck that will be used in a forthcoming commercial driver's license (CDL) training program. The college plans to offer a six-week course that will prepare students to become professional drivers, and students will also be able to earn micro-credentials from the program to boost their job prospects.

Why it matters

The new CDL program at Mesalands Community College aims to provide relevant, in-demand skills training that could have a positive economic impact on the Tucumcari community. As a town situated along the I-40 corridor, the college sees an opportunity to train local residents to become professional truck drivers to meet the high demand for commercial drivers in the region.

The details

Mesalands Community College recently purchased a $205,059 Kenworth semi-truck from Inland Kenworth of Albuquerque to use in its upcoming CDL training program. The college's board of trustees approved the truck purchase in December 2025. The six-week CDL course will not only teach students the skills to become professional drivers, but they will also be able to earn micro-credentials that can boost their job prospects.

  • Mesalands Community College took delivery of the new semi-truck last week.
  • The college's board of trustees approved the $205,059 truck purchase in December 2025.

The players

Mesalands Community College

A community college located in Tucumcari, New Mexico that is launching a new commercial driver's license (CDL) training program.

Kim Enriquez

A Mesalands Community College staff member who helped secure the new semi-truck for the college's CDL program.

Yvan Guru

The marketing specialist at Mesalands Community College who stated the college is excited about the new CDL program and its potential to benefit the local Tucumcari economy.

Inland Kenworth

The Albuquerque-based company that sold the $205,059 Kenworth semi-truck to Mesalands Community College.

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What they’re saying

“We are excited about this new program, as it brings relevant, in-demand skill training that would be a net positive for Tucumcari's economy.”

— Yvan Guru, Marketing Specialist, Mesalands Community College

What’s next

Mesalands Community College plans to soon announce the dates for the new six-week CDL training program.

The takeaway

By launching a commercial driver's license (CDL) training program, Mesalands Community College is taking an important step to provide relevant, in-demand skills to local residents and support the regional economy along the I-40 corridor. The new program has the potential to create a pipeline of professional truck drivers to meet the high demand for commercial drivers in the area.