The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) has announced a series of significant achievements in 2023, spanning the sectors of education, healthcare, research, and workforce development. These accomplishments have had a profound impact across the state throughout the year.
Among these notable achievements is a 2.3 percent increase in undergraduate enrollment for the second consecutive year. This growth was spurred by the Opportunity Scholarship Act enacted in 2022, resulting in an overall growth of 7 percent with an additional 6,700 students over two years. The Health Professional Loan Repayment Program provided $14.6 million in debt relief to 724 professionals serving high-need communities. Furthermore, New Mexico received national recognition for its commitment to diversity in higher education. Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez represented this commitment by participating in a panel at the U.S. Department of Education’s National Summit on Equal Opportunity. According to a press release by NMHED, the GEAR UP program played a crucial role in advancing higher education within the state.
Acting Higher Education Secretary Patricia Trujillo expressed her pride over these strides made across various areas such as college access, student success, research and innovation among others. "I am proud to celebrate the strides we’ve made this year in a multitude of areas, including college access, student success, research, innovation, and many more," said Trujillo according to a press release by NMHED. She further thanked Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and lawmakers for their continued support which has ensured that higher education remains a priority for New Mexico. "With sustained investments during the upcoming legislative session, we look forward to building upon the record progress we’ve made over the past several years toward achieving the positive outcomes higher education brings for New Mexicans," she added.
The NMHED is dedicated to supporting New Mexico's public higher education institutions with an emphasis on efficiency, accountability and student success. It guides the state's higher education system by providing financing, oversight and support to public institutions, regulating private ones and facilitating inclusive programs, according to the About webpage provided by NMHED.
