Smartboard, July 1, 2024

Jun. 30—SFCC announces new partnership with Western Governors University

Santa Fe Community College has partnered with Western Governors University, an accredited online university, to provide the college's graduates and staff another path toward higher education and professional development opportunities.

The partnership will allow SFCC graduates and staff to apply for the university's Community College Partner Scholarship, a $625-per-term scholarship available for up to four terms, as well as a straightforward transfer pathway to pursue further degrees from Western Governor's University.

"Santa Fe Community College is excited about this new collaboration with WGU," said SFCC President Becky Rowley in a news release. "This partnership extends our mission of supporting community members in reaching their education goals by pursuing their bachelor's and master's degrees."

For more information about the partnership, visit partners.wgu.edu/transferring-page.

State of New Mexico hosts summit on Indian education

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and New Mexico's top education officials on June 17 met with leaders from the state's tribes, nations and pueblos for the Semi-Annual Government-to-Government Indian Education Summit, hosted at Navajo Preparatory School in Farmington.

The meeting featured a presentation from Santa Fe Indian School and Navajo Prep spotlighting best practices for supporting Indigenous students and families, as well as group discussions on improving culturally responsive learning experiences, grade-level proficiency and graduation rates for Native American students.

Officials from the state's Early Childhood Education and Care, Public Education, Higher Education and Indian Affairs departments attended, in addition to representatives from the Department of Workforce Solutions.

"It is vital to the Public Education Department to listen to our Tribal leaders, superintendents, and other educational leaders about what is working and what is not working for Native American Students," Public Education Department Cabinet Secretary Arsenio Romero said in a statement following the summit.

St. John's College earns distinction

St. John's College has been recognized as a 2024-25 College of Distinction. The honor, bestowed by college search organization Colleges of Distinction, recognizes colleges and universities with outstanding student engagement initiatives, great teaching, vibrant school communities and successful student outcomes.

St. John's Santa Fe campus is the only New Mexico college to make this year's list.

"We are so impressed to see how St. John's brings life to the traditional undergraduate experience," Tyson Schritter, chief operating officer at Colleges of Distinction, said in a news release. "With a welcoming community, an immersive curriculum and strong support networks, St. John's is undoubtedly nurturing the growth of tomorrow's leaders."