It's been more than two years since the Lumina Foundation approved a grant for $400,000 to implement institutional change at the University of New Mexico-Gallup through its Achieving the Dream initiative. Over those two years, the college has launched several initiatives designed to increase the success of underserved students.
Targeting students in high school has been one of the college's primary goals with the Lumina funds. High school/college articulation workshops were held last year, and among the goals established was that of dual enrollment, whereby students can start working on college courses while in high school.
COMPASS tests were also introduced in local high schools, so that students can take the tests earlier and discover what kinds of courses they need to take, and what areas they might need extra preparation for.
"That way, they won't use up all their financial aid taking transitional courses, and then can enter into college courses more rapidly," said Chris Marlow, dean of instruction and the administrator in charge of implementing change with Lumina funds.
Thus far, two college courses are being offered in local high schools, with plans for more as qualified adjunct faculty are identified locally. There are already signed agreements with two school districts Zuni and Gallup-McKinley County-and two private high schools.
The college is currently accepting applications for an Achieving the Dream coordinator, whose duties will include overseeing dual enrollment.
Another initiative, instituted this past summer, was a "Lobo Camp" in Zuni. Ten students, who were either high school graduates, in high school, or had taken their GED tests, took college success courses, plus math and English for college credit, and also took the COMPASS test. The tuition was waived, and all the students had to pay was an application fee.
Marlow hopes to expand this pilot project to the Gallup campus next year.
Lumina funds also helped launch a much-appreciated culture series, consisting of four events that were specifically targeted for the college's largely Native American student population. Those who appeared in the series were actor/physician Evan Adams, the musical group Ulali, psychologist Terry Tafoya, and guitarist John Siqueiros.
"We saw this as a way of engaging students and getting them to connect more closely with the campus," Marlow said. "Surveys and data had shown the students didn't feel very connected with the campus and we think this has helped." The series will be repeated next year.
The establishment of learning communities, which was started with funds from other grants, is being further supported with funds from AtD. Learning communities are groups of 25 students with similar academic goals who study together and give each other support as they learn. Lumina funds have also provided an enhanced faculty development series, focusing on improving teaching.
As a reward for being on the college's Dean's List, UNM-Gallup recently awarded students a voucher for $50 with funds from Lumina -- to use at the bookstore. Each student was also recognized with a personal letter and certificate.
The Lumina grant will be in place through 2009 at UNM-Gallup.
Media Contact: Linda Thornton, (505) 863-7565; e-mail: lthornton@gallup.unm.edu