logo
New Mexico college enrollment increases for the second consecutive year

New Mexico college enrollment increases for the second consecutive year

Yahoo27-05-2025
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – New Mexico's college enrollment has grown for the second consecutive year, increasing 4.2% from spring 2024 to spring 2025, according to the New Mexico Higher Education Department. With over 5,000 students currently pursuing degrees and certifications at New Mexico's higher education institutions, the department attributes the rising trend to the state's tuition-free college programs, like the Opportunity and Lottery scholarships.
According to the department's estimates, over 34,000 students are receiving financial assistance through the Opportunity Scholarship, and around 10,000 students are receiving the Lottery Scholarship this spring.
21 students honored for graduating from PNM's Power Pros program
'The Opportunity and Lottery scholarships are fulfilling their goal of empowering tens of thousands of New Mexicans to pursue a college education at no cost for tuition and create a more prosperous future for themselves and their families,' said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. 'As we always say, there is no wrong door to higher education in New Mexico, and we are dedicated to supporting programs that broaden opportunities for our state.'
To find out more about the Opportunity and Lottery scholarships, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cities can fight back with guaranteed income programs
Cities can fight back with guaranteed income programs

Yahoo

timea day ago

  • Yahoo

Cities can fight back with guaranteed income programs

Mayors for a Guaranteed Income helped fund a pilot project at Santa Fe Community College. (Courtesy SFCC) If you are like me, you are still reeling from the news that the 'big beautiful bill' (which is unparalleled in its ugliness) received the necessary votes in the U.S. House and Senate, along with the president's signature. Although the U.S. Senate was close (and Dem senators all voted nay) what kind of madness is this? The very notion of passing legislation that dismantles Medicaid; blunts the effectiveness of nutritional assistance; and cuts funding to rural hospitals highlights the degree that a philosophy of philistine self-interest has infiltrated the current political climate. Trepidation over the fallout spreads nationwide. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says the bill 'will hit New Mexico hard' and state officials have outlined nightmarish scenarios in which more than 88,000 New Mexicans lose Medicaid and more than 58,000 to lose their Supplemental Assistance Program help. 'This is draconian,' Victor Pineda, executive director of the Center for Independent Living in Berkeley, California, which provides quality of life assistance to the disabled, reportedly said. 'The cuts are a direct hit to our ability to help people stay in their homes who will now be forced into homelessness or institutions.' In the meantime, what can help supplement the loss of basic services in underserved communities? What can cities and mayors do? For one thing: They can put more of their remaining resources toward expanding guaranteed income programs. In 2018, Mayor Michael Tubbs of Stockton, Calif. initiated the first guaranteed income program in the USA, which for two years gave $500 every month to 125 low-income residents. A study in the program's aftermath conducted by a team of independent researchers determined that the money significantly improved participants' mental health and financial standing. Tubbs then founded Mayors for Guaranteed Income (MGI), a network of committed cities that have sponsored pilot programs in cities including Madison, Wis.; Pittsburgh, Pa; New Orleans, La.; and Santa Fe, here in New Mexico. In 2021, with an MGI grant, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber launched a pilot program that provided $400-per-month stipends to 100 young, low-income Santa Fe Community College students with child-caretaking responsibilities. A 2025 independent study again concluded that rather than fulfilling easy cliches — meaning the assumption the young grantees would waste the funds on alcohol or video games — participants experienced meaningful improvements in key takeaway areas 'This successful program directly addresses the fundamental problem that is holding New Mexico back: poverty.' said Mayor Webber, after the report was released. Today, more than 100 cities have sponsored direct cash payment programs that lasted one year (or preferably two years). In every case, most participants experienced admirable gains in food and housing security. In Santa Fe, participants experienced a 19 percentage point rise in full employment. But why should these results be surprising when 37% of Americans say they fear an unexpected $400 expense? A consistent extra few hundred (in lieu of having an empty bank account) can make a difference, a larger-than-expected step forward. For proponents, an important assurance is that guaranteed income programs come with 'no strings attached.' A family that needs money to pay for school supplies can choose this option; a recipient who knows that buying a car would be a valuable investment can save for that. Guaranteed income programs have been praised for having an 'entrepreneurial' spirit. But I believe the better word for them is 'self-empowering' in that they encourage the underprivileged to value themselves and invest in their own futures. These humble sums of cash directed without stipulations at crisis communities, including immigrant families, students or homeless youth, provide a measurable boost. Related programs stipulate the money is spent toward specific goals, like preventing homelessness. Funding for renters facing eviction is one of the most important ways cities, including Santa Fe, can potentially use targeted funds in a time when homelessness is at its highest level since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development began keeping statistics in 2007. Here is the rub. These programs abet and enhance the social safety net. They cannot replace it. These programs are a tool: a necessary weapon. Times may become desperate. Cities must fight back.

Proposed project would add bicycling-centric upgrades along Buena Vista in Albuquerque
Proposed project would add bicycling-centric upgrades along Buena Vista in Albuquerque

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

Proposed project would add bicycling-centric upgrades along Buena Vista in Albuquerque

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – A roughly mile-and-a-half stretch through the south end of Albuquerque is what the city is now eyeing for a slew of new bicycling-centric upgrades. 'More bike lanes! That's what people want, more bike lanes,' shared Dan Mayfield, spokesperson for the City of Albuquerque's Department of Municipal Development. Story continues below Trending: VIDEO: ICE agents use taser to detain man at Albuquerque Walmart Strange: New Mexico paranormal enthusiast shares experiences with otherworldly entities Events: What's happening in New Mexico July 11-17? NM Tattoo Fiesta and more News: New Mexico resident speaks out after his father was killed in Ruidoso flood This is the latest project to come out of the city's newly updated bikeway and trail facilities plan is a dedicated bike boulevard on Buena Vista Drive. Mayfield continued, 'If you create a bike boulevard in that area, you can take a bicycle all the way from Isotopes Park to CNM to UNM, and from Central, you can hop an ART bus or a 66 bus with your bicycle and go north or south really easily.' The city's plan is to put the north-south bike route between Central Ave. and Gibson Boulevard, through Nob Hill, University Blvd., and neighborhoods by the Albuquerque International Sunport. 'Slowing traffic down and creating these dedicated bike lanes helps people get around,' said Mayfield. The city is also looking to add three mid-block crossings along the route at Gibson, Avenida Cesar Chavez, and Central with HAWK signals. They also want to add mini traffic circles and extend the curbs in some areas. However, the city still needs funding for the project. Right now, they're in the middle of a public review process, still taking suggestions to make sure everyone is on the same page. 'We're going to be showing off our 60% design. So this is, you know, we're in the middle of designing this, and we want the community to come out and take a look,' explained Mayfield. The goal is to get the project done by 2027. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

‘Ground Up Garden Stewardship Program' returns to Santa Fe Teen Center
‘Ground Up Garden Stewardship Program' returns to Santa Fe Teen Center

Yahoo

time4 days ago

  • Yahoo

‘Ground Up Garden Stewardship Program' returns to Santa Fe Teen Center

SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) — The Ground Up Garden Stewardship is returning to the Santa Fe Teen Center this summer. The program offers local teens the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming while also developing life and career skills. Story continues below News: Ruidoso Downs takes another blow as severe flooding once again sweeps through area Trending: PHOTOS: Historic flash flooding in Ruidoso causes destruction Entertainment: Want to become a background actor in New Mexico? Here's how News: Study: Two New Mexico cities rank among the least-stressed in the U.S. Students will learn how to grow, harvest and cook fresh food while creating garden-inspired art. They can also take home the produce they grow and will earn a stipend for their work. The program will run from July 17 through Oct. 13. Applications are available at this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store