47 Northern New Mexico Students Receive Over $100,000 Toward Career Education
June 16, 2025
ESPAÑOLA – The LANL Foundation is proud to celebrate the recipients of its 2025 Career Pathways Scholarship, which supports students in Northern New Mexico pursuing associate degrees, certificates, and other credentials in career and technical fields.
The LANL Foundation has awarded a total of $117,750 in scholarship funding, which each recipient receiving up to $3,000 over four semesters to support their education and career goals. This year, students from all seven Northern New Mexico counties applied for the Career Pathways Scholarship, with the majority of awardees demonstrating financial need.
“We’re proud to continue expanding our scholarship offerings to support students of all ages, backgrounds, and aspirations,” said Mike Ammerman, Scholarship Program Director. “Whether they’re pursuing technical training, a degree, or a new career path, we believe in their potential to transform both their lives and their communities. In partnership with our generous donors and forward-thinking industry leaders, we’re not only investing in individual futures—we’re building a stronger, more sustainable and skilled workforce.”
Career Pathways scholars are pursuing a diverse range of careers, including automotive technology, cosmetology, emergency medicine, plumbing, radiology, special education, welding, and nursing. Nearly 30% of this year’s awards went to support students in healthcare fields, with another 28% supporting aid for education and social services career paths.
In 2025, the scholarship program continued to see strong interest from non-traditional learners, including working adults, caregivers, and returning students seeking to enhance their career prospects while supporting their families. The growing diversity among applicants reflects an increasing recognition of skilled trades and technical careers as pathways to economic mobility and personal fulfillment.
“I received the Career Pathways Scholarship in 2023, long after my high school graduation, and nearly ten years after I first enrolled in community college,” said Joanna Johnston, who graduated from Santa Fe Community College with an associate degree in human services this spring. “The scholarship didn’t just help financially – it gave me space to breathe and focus.” Johnston works full-time as a student resource coordinator at Santa Fe Community College in the Student Wellness Office, supporting students with non-academic challenges like housing and transportation.
Click here to see a full list of Career Pathways Scholarship recipients.
The Career Pathways Scholarship is supported by funding from Triad, the Los Alamos National Laboratory Employee Scholarship Fund (LAESF), and other generous donors, and is administered by the LANL Foundation in an effort to support students with a clear career vision who show immense dedication to the pursuit of necessary skills and credentials.
The Career Pathways program also includes scholarships specifically funded by several dedicated sources. The Anchorum Health Foundation/CHRISTUS St.Vincent Medical Pathways Scholarship Fund assists graduates of high school medical pathways programs pursuing further education in health-related fields. Additionally, the Peterson Career Pathways Scholarship Fund, established in memory of Karen Peterson, supports students entering the workforce through career and technical education.
Earlier this year, the LANL Foundation also announced the 2025 recipients of the LANL Scholars bachelor’s degree scholarship, awarding more than $1 million to over 130 students across Northern New Mexico. Combined, the Foundation’s scholarship programs have awarded more than $1.1 million this year, continuing a record-breaking trend in its support for local students.
To learn more about the LANL Foundation’s scholarships, including how to apply or donate, visit lanlfoundation.org
