Davis New Mexico Scholarship

We are *so* excited to announce that our application is now available on the Common App! This collaboration is designed to increase usage of the Common App among first-generation college students throughout New Mexico, offering them better admissions and funding opportunities and a wider range of college options throughout New Mexico and the country. We believe the Common App is a powerful tool and a significant gateway to college. But last year, in half of New Mexico’s counties, not a single student submitted a Common App. Statewide, Common App completion for 12th graders jumps to only 10%, highlighting the need for a significant boost in exposure and access to this essential college application platform. This partnership underscores Common App’s dedication to expanding educational opportunities in states and regions where Common Application completion lags. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gcRsQMNd

If you have ever wondered about some of the underlying philosophy that drives our full-cost-of-attendance scholarship model, you're in luck! Scholarship Director Sam Ritter and Upward Bound Espa?ola Director Tobe Bott-Lyons explore the potential for scholarships to meaningfully impact the current higher ed landscape in our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/g_NuXYam "Over the last decade, as the complexity of college affordability has increased, the number of private scholarships has exploded. Nationwide, over 7 billion dollars in private scholarships are awarded every year to nearly 2 million undergraduates. This massive investment has the potential to truly transform the lives of scholarship recipients and to drive fundamental change in our education systems. Too often, however, this money just reinforces the existing inequalities in access to higher education. The average private scholarship in America is a $4,000 merit scholarship awarded to a student with little or no financial need and who is more likely to have a parent who has a college degree than to be a first-generation college student."

A huge shout-out to my colleague Hanna Negishi Levin who is the mastermind behind the Davis New Mexico Scholarship summit. This year's theme of an "Expansive College Degree" really hit home for me, and pushed me to think bigger when I work with students and families. Can't wait to see what we conjure up next year!

What comes to mind when you think of "The Expansive College Degree: Beyond a Transactional Approach?" Maybe: * How educators must navigate policies that work to flatten our collective notions of career-readiness and liberal arts. * How students develop agency while moving through an educational system that often asks them to partition their identities in service of institutional goals. * How the objectives of college as a tool of social mobility and college as a forum for chasing curiosity don’t have to live in constant tension. Last week, at our annual College Access Summit, we got *into it*– and we are still reeling from the buzz of being surrounded by so many thoughtful, impactful college access professionals. But the best part? Thinking alongside the growing cadre of Davis New Mexico Scholar alum who have returned to NM to work on behalf of students and families. We see you Alejandra, Angelica, Oscar, Yesenia, Naomi, German, Karina, Summer, and Abril! Special thank you to our featured speakers Victoria J. Mora, PhD, Manuel Montoya, PhD, Troy Lovata, Gwen Perea Warniment, PhD, Ann Marano, and Phame Camarena. And deep gratitude to our hosts at UNM Anderson School of Management!

When PBS News asks to feature your program, you say *yes*– so proud to have our rural college access work showcased on PBS Newshour this week. Our Rural College Access Road Trips and ROCA programs are bringing colleges into communities that have long been overlooked in traditional college access. See the piece here: https://lnkd.in/eb6Y2heU A special thanks to staff and students at Questa High School and Taos High School who made time and changed their schedules to share their stories and aspirations with us and with reporters. We know this piece will help fuel interest in college access for first-gen and rural students throughout our state, and hopefully beyond!

Such a fun and impactful event last week. Many thanks to everyone who works tirelessly to get our applicants prepared for the scholarship application and beyond!

Our annual scholarship recruitment event was a resounding success! It was wonderful to see so well over 100 potential scholars, college counselors, and of course our wonderful admissions colleagues in one place. We have so much gratitude for all our colleagues who helped first-gen New Mexican students get to the place where they are so excited about college options. It truly takes a whole community coming together to shape and support such wonderful young people on the path to college access and success. (photo credit: Moonlight Studios)

Last month we welcomed our fourth-ever cohort of students to ROCA NM! Students came from 18 different high schools, with over half traveling more than 200 miles one-way just to be there. Their experiences as rural, first-gen 12th graders vary drastically (a direct quote from a student: "I've never even met someone who's taken an AP class!"), but they share an unmistakable excitement about the college search and application process. Big thank you to New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology for being a wonderful host and letting us run around their beautiful campus. Quick math: 29 students + 11 fab college reps + 4 early-career college access counselors + 50 twin xl dorm beds = a pretty spectacular week. ??

Congratulations Davis New Mexico Scholarship class of 2024! We can't wait to see what you accomplish in the next four years (and beyond!).