Higher Education Department

New Mexico has seen an elevated graduation rate from 2014 to 2022, with about 76% of students getting their diplomas. But even as things have improved, the state still ranks among the lowest in the nation. The New Mexico Higher Education Department recently held the GEAR UP West conference and to help bring new ideas for increasing college and career readiness.

While enrollment of first-year college students dropped nationwide this year, New Mexico’s numbers are actually on the rise. The state Higher Education Department announced Wednesday that nearly 10% more freshmen are taking classes this fall than last.

After a few weeks of traveling across the state, the New Mexico Higher Education Department heard from colleges and universities that maintaining facilities has been a challenge. The department will use a windfall of funding to ensure existing buildings receive upgrades.

Last year, three New Mexico State University basketball players were charged with felony sex crimes for hazing teammates. As a result, New Mexico lawmakers are considering making hazing a crime.

Enrollments are up at New Mexico’s higher education institutions, with an increase of more than 4% that’s second only to New Hampshire. And even though the higher education budget this year was more than $1 billion, the Higher Education Department Wednesday asked the Legislative Finance Committee for more.

In 2021, a record number of people quit their jobs, what economists are calling the Great Resignation. While COVID was certainly a factor, experts say people were already exiting their jobs at an increasing rate starting in 2009. Now New Mexico Highlands University plans to use new funding to address mass exits and burnout in northern New Mexico.

Teachers can apply through the Department of Higher Education to apply for the loan forgiveness, which grants $6,000 a year, for two years. The process is renewable and previous participants can reapply.

UPDATE 1/31 2p: Peña-Hanson says she is no longer supporting both bills and that Gordon Bernell Charter School will focus only on HB 152. New Mexico…

Gordon Bernell Charter School fills a gap in New Mexico’s education system, helping adults in jail or who have previously been incarcerated to build the…