NMHED, NMDWS partner to improve college and career advising for high school students
SANTA FE — Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness in Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) New Mexico has joined with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions to improve the comprehensive and individualized college and career advising provided to high school students.
GEAR UP New Mexico, a division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, is a federally funded program that aims to increase college and career readiness for seventh- to 12th-grade students.
The inter-agency agreement allows GEAR UP New Mexico Coordinators in school districts and within the New Mexico Higher Education Department to provide personalized college and career programs, guidance and resources through the Career Solutions platform.
GEAR UP New Mexico partners with seven school districts in the state that serve a high proportion of rural and first-generation students. The U.S. Department of Education renewed funding for the program in 2020 at $31.4 million for the next seven years to support around 7,000 New Mexico students and their families each year.
“We are excited to team with GEAR UP to help New Mexico youth find good careers that are fulfilling and rewarding,” said NMDWS Secretary Sarita Nair. “Career Solutions is a great tool that enables everyone to make data-informed education and career choices.”
“GEAR UP New Mexico is dedicated to equipping both students and educators with the tools and resources necessary to achieve educational and career success,” said GEAR UP New Mexico Director Dr. Corine Frankland. “We are grateful and excited to partner with the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, as this agreement will greatly benefit our GUNM school districts and, most importantly, the students, through access to this comprehensive platform.”
The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Career Solutions platform is designed for middle and high school students to explore applicable occupations based on their personal work interests and values. The platform guides users through career exploration assessments, identifying personal lifestyle goals, and learning about the labor market and different career plans in New Mexico.
“This cross-agency work leverages strengths within each of our organizations, towards a stronger model of college and career pathways services for the students of GEAR UP New Mexico and beyond,” said GEAR UP New Mexico Regional Coordinator Katherin Hinton. “I am grateful for the enthusiasm surrounding these efforts and look forward to the possibilities this agreement has in store.”
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The New Mexico Higher Education Department was established in 2005 and oversees the state’s public and tribal colleges, universities and special schools. It also oversees adult education and literacy programs statewide, manages state-funded financial aid programs and capital projects for higher education institutions, provides college readiness services via the GEAR UP program, and grants state authorization to private colleges operating within New Mexico. For more information, visit hed.nm.gov or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @NMHigherEd.
