Online Events and Resources put College Search at Students’ Fingertips
SANTA FE, NM – New Mexico colleges, universities, and organizations are finding innovative ways to help prospective college students and their families navigate the college admissions process in a socially-distanced world.
The New Mexico College Access Council will host a virtual college fair on Monday, November 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring online college “booths” and live Zoom sessions where students can chat with admissions representatives about applying, financial aid and scholarships, housing, campus life, and more.
“Students need to know they have options to achieve their college goals, even in today’s COVID environment,” Acting Higher Education Department Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez said. “Virtual events like online college fairs and financial aid workshops are a great way to ensure students gain access to higher education opportunities while also staying safe.”
NMCAC typically organizes large college fairs that take place at high schools around the state, but worked to find an alternative during the COVID pandemic. The first virtual fair NMCAC hosted took place for a full week in September, but the group is reigniting the event this month in anticipation of upcoming financial aid deadlines at several state colleges and universities on December first.
“We know COVID-19 has affected many aspects of students’ lives, but the New Mexico College Access Council wanted to make sure the opportunity to access and explore college options was still easily accessible for all students and families across the state,” said Brandon Fields, Senior Admissions Advisor at New Mexico State University and Chair of NMCAC. “December first is an important date for a lot of high school seniors, so this is the perfect opportunity for them to chat with admissions professionals about applying and making sure they are on- track to maximize their scholarship opportunities.”
Live Zoom sessions from various New Mexico colleges and universities will take place on Monday, but the virtual information booths will be available to participants through the month of December. Registration is free, and participants can learn more and sign up by visiting www.nmcac.org. Those interested can also email info@nmcac.org for more information.
The following New Mexico colleges and universities will host live presentations at the event:
- Session 1: (1-2 p.m.) Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico State University, New Mexico Highlands University, New Mexico Junior College, Doña Ana Community College, and Eastern New Mexico University.
- Session 2: (2-3 p.m.) New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (New Mexico Tech), Institute of American Indian Arts, Western New Mexico University, The University of New Mexico, Northern New Mexico College, The University of New Mexico-Valencia.
Many colleges and universities, including the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University, have revised their admissions requirements to make applying more accessible for students amid the pandemic. Students are encouraged to check with each institution for the most recent information regarding application and admissions requirements.
For more information about the New Mexico Higher Education Department at the state’s public colleges and universities, visit www.hed.state.nm.us.