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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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Kristen Griego serves as the GEAR UP Program Coordinator at Socorro Consolidated Schools. Kristen Griego has worked in education for nine years. She has taught high school science in Texas and New Mexico. She has worked for the TRIO federal grant program and is currently enjoying working for the GEAR UP federal grant program. She loves connecting students with resources and helping the youth reach their full potential. She holds a Bachelors in Chemistry from the University of New Mexico, and is currently working on her Masters of Science for Teachers at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. In her free time, she likes to hike, bike, and bake cookies.

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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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Nickie McCarty has worked in public education for 16 years as a math and accounting teacher and 10 years as Taos Municipal Schools Athletic Director. Nickie also taught Leadership and sponsored the THS Student Government for 17 years, as well as coached track and volleyball. She retired for two years and returned to Taos Schools as a District Math Instructional Coach and is now the Gear Up Program Coordinator. She holds a BBA in accounting from WTA&M University, her teaching certification from NMHU, and an MA in Educational Leadership from NMHU. Nickie is a CAA (Certified Athletic Administrator) and was voted by her peers as Athletic Administrator of the Year in 2019. She also received the Taos Unsung Hero Award in 2020. Nickie and her spouse, Monty McCarty, live in Des Montes and have two sons who are both officers in the Army and NM National Guard. Nickie enjoys card games, corn hole, fishing, sewing, and competing with her sons in any game. She is excited to be working with students through the Gear Up program and helping them to have direction for their future.

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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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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.