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Melissa Mendonca is grateful to GEAR UP New Mexico for being the vehicle that made her dream of living in the Land of Enchantment possible. She enjoys the challenge of creating innovative GEAR UP programming at both Albuquerque Talent Development Academy and Christine Duncan’s Heritage Academy. She has spent her career in social services and education, directing a community mentoring program, working with probation youth and pregnant & parenting teens. In every role, she has supported young people to dream and achieve goals of higher education. Melissa enjoys road trips and exploring the back roads and enclaves of New Mexico, as well as the vibrant art scenes of Santa Fe and Albuquerque. She loves to photograph murals and lowriders, and still revels in telling stories of her time in the Peace Corps. She is a graduate of San Francisco State and Tulane Universities.

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Sean Cromwell is in his second year as Data Coordinator at Albuquerque Talent Development Academy. He also teaches four sections of the secondary AVID elective and is beginning his eleventh season as the varsity boys tennis coach at Cibola High School. He received his B.A. in history, with an emphasis on soviet studies, from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1989. Sean has performed in numerous theatrical productions since he was sixteen years old and has a love of foreign cinema. Every day, he thanks his lucky stars for working at a campus that prioritizes the academic and social-emotional needs of its learners. Sean appreciates the caring approach of his colleagues and is especially grateful to his program coordinator, Melissa, for all of her patience, support, and guidance.

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Fanoy Walters is in her first year as the GEAR UP program coordinator at Los Puentes Charter School. She spent eight and a half years in probation, and four and a half years as a Juvenile probation officer and three and a half years as a behavioral health DWI court/ felony drug court probation officer. She holds a B.A. in sociology with a minor in history from Eastern New Mexico University and is currently pursuing her alternative licensure in special education, as well as her M.A. in special education from ENMU. Fanoy has a passion for helping people struggling with mental health and substance abuse. As she ventures into this new career field, she is hopeful to bring fresh, new ideas to Los Puentes Charter School students as she helps prepare and guide the students to graduate from high school to pursue college or a trade. Fanoy also coaches middle school boys’ and girls’ basketball, as well as the long jump and triple jump for Eldorado High School. Fanoy is a proud parent of her 17-year-old son, who academically is attending Los Puentes Charter School as an 11th grader and competes in football, basketball, and track and field for Eldorado High School. Wise words to live by: “Opportunities don’t happen, you create them – Chris Grosser.”

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Marisol Aragón has been in education for 23 years. She taught middle school math and is now in her 12th year as a GEAR UP Program Coordinator for Bernalillo Public Schools. In 2016 she received the GEAR UP West Professional of the Year Award. Marisol has a passion for helping others and is excited she can provide opportunities for students that would not be possible without the GEAR UP Program. Marisol is known for her high energy, warmth, and ability to cultivate meaningful relationships with students, parents, and colleagues. Marisol earned her B.S. from the University of New Mexico in education. She loves to talk and dance but more than anything loves spending time with her huge family.

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Cristina Cervantes is a GEAR UP Data and Program Coordinator at Bernalillo Public Schools. She earned her bachelors in Chicano/a Studies with a minor in Spanish from the University of New Mexico in 2015. Cristina has worked in education for 8 years and is committed to giving back to her community by helping the next generation grow and learn. Cristina is very close to her family and when not working enjoys spending time with them. She also enjoys reading and taking her dogs on walks.

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Laura has been in education for 18 years. She was a secondary math teacher for 15 years, then was the Dean of Students for 2 years and has now moved into the role of Program Coordinator. She has been married for 4 years now. She has two beautiful daughters that are the joys of her life.

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Jill Madrid- Angel has worked for Socorro Consolidated Schools for the last eleven years. She started as an educational assistant in a Pre-K classroom. A few other titles she has held within the district include, the middle school attendance secretary, neighborhood navigator for the McKinney-Vento program, the high school dance coach, as well as the student council sponsor. She will graduate with an associate degree in liberal science in May of 2024 and is working towards finishing her B.A. in social science by the summer of 2025. She loves to work with the GEAR UP NM program and guide students toward their plans for the future. Her favorite part of the program is giving the students opportunities that she was never given. She hopes that GEAR UP will help students be successful in their endeavors after graduation, whether it be college, military, trade school, or workforce. When Jill isn’t in the office, you can find her cheering her children on during their sporting events, cooking dinner for her family, and loving on her doggies.

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Mr. Robert V. Trujillo began his teaching career at Taos Junior High/Middle School and spent 13 years teaching there. After attaining his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from The University of New Mexico with a license in Administration, he soon became Taos High School’s Athletic Director and Assistant Principal for three years. Mr. Trujillo then went on to become the Ranchos Elementary principal for approximately four years, before becoming Taos High School’s principal for the remainder of his career. Mr. Trujillo retired from the Taos Municipal Schools in 2019. Mr. Trujillo came back to work for the District in 2021 as GEAR UP Coordinator, then in January of 2023 was transferred to be interim Taos High School Principal for the remainder of the school year. He has now returned to GEAR UP as the program coordinator once again. He attributes all his educational accomplishments and successes to his family, students, staff, and the great public schools of Taos!

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John Hedden serves as the data coordinator for Taos Municipal Schools. John received a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and an English minor and secondary certification in language arts from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. He earned his master’s in education administration from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. After a 20-year career as an educator, wrestling coach, and administrator in Alaska (two years in Holy Cross, A.K., and 18 years in Sitka, A.K., he and his wife, Cheryl, retired to Taos, N.M. After the move, John supervised the resort ambassadors department at Taos Ski Valley, Inc. for ten years before returning to education as the data coordinator for the GEAR UP NM Taos Municipal Schools grant. John and his wife enjoy camping and hiking together. He is also an avid golfer, which his wife has no interest in.

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Samuel LeDoux serves as the Program Coordinator for Espanola Public Schools. Samuel LeDoux is an educator and public servant who was raised in the beautiful Española Valley; he’s worked in several Government agencies, including FEMA, the New Mexico State Legislature, the Office of the Arizona Governor, the Maryland Department of Labor, and the Office of the Maryland Governor. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from New Mexico Highlands University and a Master of Professional Studies in Political Management from The George Washington University. Samuel is passionate about improving education and professional opportunity improvement in Northern New Mexico, technology, and politics.

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Patricia Bancroft is the GEAR UP Data Coordinator at Espanola Valley High School and Carlos F. Vigil Middle School. She grew up in Ohkay Owingeh and is excited to bring her cultural knowledge to the GEAR UP Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University in 2018 and a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies with an emphasis in Criminal Justice in 2024. This is her first year working in education. Patricia is passionate about supporting and helping students achieve their goals through encouragement and promoting all the GEAR UP opportunities.

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Eloisa Sanchez is the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) GEAR UP New Mexico program coordinator at Capital High and Edward Ortiz Middle School, with eight years of experience working with the SFPS GEAR UP grant. A graduate of Northern New Mexico College, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Health Studies, a Master of Science in Health Education from the University of New Mexico, and a Master of Public Health from New Mexico State University. Eloisa is dedicated to leveraging college and career resources for her students to explore and expand their educational and career goals. Eloisa is also passionate about bringing forth equity and affordability for all students by supporting inclusive teaching and learning environments that develop students’ learning potential.

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Barbara Velarde is the Santa Fe Public Schools (SFPS) Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Data Coordinator with 20 years of experience working within SFPS. She was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is an alumnus of Santa Fe High School. Barbara is a proud mother of two and enjoys working with students through the GEAR UP program to help provide opportunities for all students.

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Denise Smythe joined GEAR UP New Mexico in 2021 and serves as the program coordinator in Mountainair. Denise has been an educator for 27 years, earning her B.A. in elementary education at the University of New Mexico, her M.A. in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State University, and her administration license from New Mexico Highlands University. She taught elementary school for 13 years, then spent the next decade of her career as a principal for elementary and middle school. Then she served as dean of students at the high school level. Her favorite job has been with the GEAR UP NM team. She loves working with students to pursue their goals in education and life. She celebrates their accomplishments and serves as a mentor for life. Working in a small school is a gift and she appreciates the bonds that are formed within the community.

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Kimber Sanchez serves as the Program Coordinator at Mountainair Public Schools. Kimber Sanchez has been an educator in New Mexico for 30 years, teaching in Estancia, Albuquerque, Mountainair, and a state charter. She has also served as a state assessment coordinator with the New Mexico Public Education Department. She returned to Mountainair in 2023 as the newest member of the school’s GEAR UP team. She earned a B.S. in elementary education with a math endorsement from the University of New Mexico and an M.A. in curriculum & instruction from Grand Canyon University. With eight grandchildren, Kimber spends her free time enjoying life as a grandmother.