Highlands University ENLACE
HU ENLACE Mission:
Demystify career & college pathways through partnerships that foster leadership, collaboration, advocacy, and community stewardship.
HU ENLACE Vision:
New Mexico students and families who are confident in their collective capacities to access career and college pathways aligned with student aspirations, interests, and skills.
About
ENLACE is derived from the Spanish word “enlazar,” which means to link or weave together, to connect in such a way that the new entity is stronger than its parts. ENLACE is an acronym for Engaging Latino Communities for Education; however, HU ENLACE works with ALL students in northeast New Mexico, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or identity.
HU ENLACE New Mexico represents the voices of children and families to develop educational and policy initiatives that directly impact them and their communities.
We are a network of transformational leaders as diverse as the state we serve. Our collaborative includes students, families, universities, community colleges, school districts, businesses, government agencies, and community organizations. This network is based on a process that empowers communities to express their voices in the pursuit of educational access and success as well as social justice.
ENLACE stakeholders believe that by working collaboratively with our elected officials, we can promote policy that enables us to provide educational opportunities and support for students throughout the state of New Mexico.
HU ENLACE coordinates and facilitates workshops, short or long term, with students, families, educators, and the community. Programming can include career and college pathway exploration and development; applications for FAFSA, scholarships, college/university, and jobs; resume development; tutoring (at some partner higher education institutions); peer-to-peer mentoring; academic success; and the development of leadership and advocacy skills.
• STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVES: Students have opportunities to engage in career and college preparation and planning, allowing their current passions, interests, and skills to drive future success.
• FAMILY, COMMUNITY, SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP: The ability for students to succeed in their education and beyond depends greatly on their families’ involvement and community support. HU ENLACE is dedicated to providing meaningful, collaborative, active connections between students, families, communities, and schools.
• LEADERSHIP AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Students are provided with avenues to engage in a variety of leadership and professional development initiatives each year. These include conferences, colloquia, symposia, workshops, and training sessions in collaboration with state, national, and international partners
Institute of American Indian Arts Scholarships: https://iaia.edu/scholarships/
NM Scholars Scholarship: https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/scholarships/nm
NM Opportunity & Lottery Scholarships: https://www.reachhighernm.com/
Scholarships for High School Seniors: https://accessscholarships.com/blog/scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/
New Mexico – Scholarships & Grants: https://hed.nm.gov/financial-aid/scholarships
Scholarships for Students in New Mexico: https://scholaroo.com/new-mexico-scholarships/
- HS Credit Hours – A New Vision: A new set of building blocks, laid by state leaders, will allow students to receive the high school education they need in the modern world.
- Transitioning to HS: Adjusting to the academic and social pressures that come with entering high school can create anxiety for students and families alike.
- 1 in 4 students never finish their college application. Why?
- How to bust the “big lie” around college applications (read & listen)
Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Hispanic High School Students's Perceptions on the Transition to College
RESOURCES
- LDZ Youth Legislative Session (National Hispanic Institute) – Navigate challenges as you navigate and manage organizations by taking charge of a youth government.
- NM FFA Leadership Camp (2023) – Engage in leadership workshops, challenging ropes courses, competitive games, and team building.
- NMPED High School Graduation Requirements – Know what course credits needed to graduate in NM, listed graduation year cohort.
- Career Exploration for Students and Kids (Money Prodigy) – Engage in career exploration assessments and activities, including free resume templates.
- NMPED Career Clusters – Utilize this guide to explore personal interests, skills, and passions into a career pathway.
- High-Quality CTE: Student Career Development (Association for Career & Technical Education) – Explore resources aligned career development: research, guides, books, webinars, courses, and more!
- Students and Financial Literacy (Annuity.org) – Develop financial literacy skills that can support your aspirations for career or college.
- New Mexico Higher Education Department – Access information about NM scholarships, NM colleges/universities, and family preparation for funding college
- Federal Student Aid – Complete the FAFSA – Use the Free Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid.
- NMPED Next Step Plans – NE ENLACE supports and expands upon the NMPED Next Step Plans with reflection activities and career/college assessment tools.
- NMPED High School Graduation Requirements – Know what course credits needed to graduate in NM, listed graduation year cohort.
- Career Exploration for Students and Kids (Money Prodigy) – Engage in career exploration assessments and activities, including free resume templates.
- New Mexico Career Cluster Guide (NMPED) – Utilize this guide to explore personal interests, skills, and passions into a career pathway.
- Preparing for College: Middle School, High School, Adults & Families
- Students and Financial Literacy (Annuity.org) – Develop financial literacy skills that can support your aspirations for career or college.
- National Council for Community and Education – Access college awareness programs that assist them in applying for college.
- College Navigator (National Center for Education Statistics) – Sort colleges by location, institution type, degree program, or level of degree.
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administration – Prepare academically and financially for college using information at this site.
- Go College – Description: Find money to fund education and get the most out of their college experience.
- New Mexico Higher Education Department – Access information about NM scholarships, NM colleges/universities, and family preparation for funding college.
- Federal Student Aid – Complete the FAFSA – Use the Free Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to apply for financial aid.
- NMPED Next Step Plans – NE ENLACE supports and expands upon the NMPED Next Step Plans with reflection activities and career/college assessment tools.
- NMPED Parent Portal – Access information for families of students in NM K-12 schools.
- NMPED High School Graduation Requirements – Know what course credits needed to graduate in NM, listed graduation year cohort.
- New Mexico Higher Education Department – Access information about NM scholarships, NM colleges/universities, and family preparation for funding college
- NMPED Career Clusters – Utilize this guide to explore personal interests, skills, and passions into a career pathway.
- NMPED A Framework for Family-School Partnerships in New Mexico
- Strategies and Resources to Support Effective Family Engagement
TESTIMONIALS
Contacts
Highlands University ENLACE Staff:
Elena V. Valdez, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, CESDP
New Mexico Highlands University
1950 Siringo Rd.
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 426-2273
Elena@nmhu.edu
Adrian I. Sandoval
Director, CESDP
New Mexico Highlands University
1700 Grande Blvd. SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
aisandoval@nmhu.edu
Seonsook Park, Ph.D.
Professor of Education
NMHU ENLACE Principal Investigator (PI)
Chair of Department of Curriculum & Instruction
New Mexico Highlands University
(505) 891-6924
parks@nmhu.edu
Fran Mares
Program Fiscal Manager, CESDP
New Mexico Highlands University
Box 9000
Las Vegas, NM 87701
