New Mexico is Taking Meaningful Steps Toward Workforce Pell Implementation
New Mexico is taking meaningful steps toward implementing these new federal provisions. The New Mexico Higher Education Department and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions have convened a biweekly advisory group made up of stakeholders from higher education, workforce development, and industry. The group is focused on developing statewide processes and recommendations related to Workforce Pell implementation, including program approval procedures, eligibility definitions, verification and oversight processes, and approaches to measuring completion rates, job placement rates, and value-added earnings.
Advisory Group Members
NM State Agency Staff | ||
| Name | Institution/Organization | Title |
| Stephanie Rodriguez | NM Higher Education Dept. | Cabinet Secretary |
| Dr. Patricia Trujillo | NM Higher Education Dept. | Deputy Secretary |
| Gerald Hoehne | NM Higher Education Dept. | Chief of Staff |
| Mark Chisholm | NM Higher Education Dept. | Director of Academic Affairs & Policy Division |
| Dr. Amber Gallup | NM Higher Education Dept. | Director of Adult Education Division |
| Heather Romero | NM Higher Education Dept. | Director of Finacial Aid Division |
| Dina Advani | NM Higher Education Dept. | Director of Planning & Research Divisiom |
| Dr. Brit Gallegos | NM Higher Education Dept. | Data Analyst |
| Nayeli Martinez | NM Higher Education Dept. | State High School Equivalency Administrator |
| Johanna Sandoval | NM Higher Education Dept. | Operations Research Analyst |
| Marcos Martinez | NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions | Deputy Secretary |
| Scott Groginsky | NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions | Deputy Secretary |
| Rachel Moskowitz | NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions | Research Director |
| Breezy Gutierrez | NM Public Education Department | Sr. Manager of College and Career Readiness Bureau |
Advisory Panel Members | ||
| Coda Omness | Eastern NM University-Ruidoso | VP for Student learning and Success |
| Geneva "Cookie" Look | Santa Fe Community College | Academic Director |
| Chris Bullard | Eastern NM University-Ruidoso | Director-Community and Workforce Training |
| Steve Sauceda | NM Junior College | VP of Workforce Development |
| Dr. Mary Ulrich | NM State University-Dona Ana | Executive Director of Workforce Development & Career Readiness Team |
| Joy Forehand | Central NM Community College | VP of Workforce & Community Success |
| Mindi-Kim Schrum | San Juan College | Director-Office of Financial Aid & Veterans Center |
| Dr. James Johnston | Eastern NM University | Chancellor |
| Dr. Becky Rowley | Santa Fe Community College | President |
| Marc Saavedra | NM Council of Univeristy Presidents | Executive Director |
| Dr. Barbara Medina | NM Association of Community Colleges | Executive Director |
| Dr. Vanessa Hawker | NM Independent Community Colleges | Executive Director |
| Michael Weinberg | Presbyterian healthcare Services | Executive Director of Government Relations |
| Carla Kugler | Associated Builders & Contractors | President & CEO |
| Bernadette Panteah | Native Workforce Partners 477 | Co-Chair/Division Director-Education & Traning Pueblo of Zuni |
| Mitch Hubbard | Penasco Valley Telephone Corp | COO |
| Daisy Lira | Park Chamber of Commerce | Founder; Co-Founder;President |
| Kathy Steen | New Space Nexus | Innovation Program Manager |
| Joan Baker | Local Union 412(Plumbers & Pipefitters) | Chief Executive Officer |
| Jennifer Horton | NM Rural Water Association (NMRWA) | Executive Director |
| Kelly Roepke-Orth | Associated General Contractors (AGC-NM) | Chief Executive Officer |
Meeting Date | Meeting Slides/Documents | Agenda | Minutes |
| April 22, 2026 | Click here to view the slides | Agenda | |
| May 06, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes | |
| May 20, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes | |
| June 03, 2026 | Agenda | Minutes | |
| June 17, 2026 | Definitions & Scenarios | Agenda |