SANTA FE — More than 25 students from seven high schools explored college campuses throughout New Mexico and Colorado to connect with admissions offices, degree programs and experience life on campus.
The GEAR UP New Mexico Summer Tribal College Bus Tour was the first of its kind as students visited Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), Navajo Technical University, San Juan College and Fort Lewis College.
GEAR UP students spent three days exploring a variety of postsecondary paths, unique college offerings and workshops that included opportunities geared toward indigenous students, including scholarships and student organizations.
"This college bus tour highlighted the unique offerings of each school, like a multi-million dollar fabrication lab at Navajo Technical University, opportunities to exhibit art in museums at the Institute of American Indian Arts, the tuition waiver for indigenous students at Ft. Lewis College, and stellar trades programs at San Juan College,” said Melissa Mendonca, GEAR UP New Mexico program coordinator at Albuquerque Talent Development Academy. “Our students appreciated the hospitality of each college with many saying they could see themselves attending each one."
GEAR UP New Mexico, a division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, is a federally funded program aiming to increase access to resources for college and career readiness for students in grades seven through 12. GEAR UP partners with middle and high schools in eight districts across New Mexico serving high proportions of rural and first-generation students.
"The most valuable thing I learned is that lots of colleges are different and offer a variety of opportunities and they may not be for you but that doesn't mean that your feelings about it can't change,” said Aiden Quintana, a student from Española Valley High School. “It's very valuable that we go on these trips and know what the college is like and different information on them."
For more information about GEAR UP New Mexico, visit gearupnewmexico.org or follow GEAR UP New Mexico on Facebook and Instagram.