44 students pursuing career and technical education will receive $117,000
July 9, 2024
Española, NM – The LANL Foundation is pleased to announce recipients of the 2024 LANL Career Pathways scholarships aimed at supporting students pursuing associate degrees, certificates and other credentials in the trades.
This year, 44 Northern New Mexico students received scholarships totaling $117,000. Recipients hail from Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Taos, Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe Counties and will receive $750 per semester up to $3,000 total toward their education.
A full list of recipients is available here.
Students receiving the 2024 LANL Career Pathways Scholarship are recognized during an award ceremony at the LANL Foundation offices in Española last month. From top left: Omar Granillo, Alexander Suazo, Camille Moquino, Denaee Chavez, Kaili Davidson, Arthur Valencia, Esperanza Gonzales, Gavin Montoya, Jacob Martinez. From bottom left: Leslie Gutierrez Chavez, Jade Madrid, Aylin Villalobos, Miranda Lopez, Joshua Daigle, and Timothy Coogan.
The Career Pathways Scholarship was established to support students who have a clear vision of the career they want to pursue and are highly motivated to gain the skills and credentials needed to enter the workforce in their career of choice. The program is generously funded by TRIAD and the Los Alamos National Laboratory Employee Scholarship Fund, in addition to other donors, and managed by the LANL Foundation.
“The Career Pathways Scholarship is an amazing opportunity for the LANL Foundation to support any student, including non-traditional learners, pursuing associates degrees or certificates programs. New Mexico has a critical need for skilled workers, and this is just another opportunity to support our community. The Los Alamos Employees Scholarship Fund Advisory Committee (LAESF) is thrilled to support these students! From the mid-career single dad who is looking to advance his education to support his family, to the students who are fresh out of high school and pursuing a certificate, we are so proud of every scholar!” said Kacy Hopwood, Chair of the LAESF Committee.
Many of the selected scholars have already started their life journeys and are now making the decision to start or continue their education to further contribute to their families, Hopwood said. The committee received a higher proportion of applications from returning adult learners than in prior years, demonstrating the impact of the program on non-traditional students and high school graduates alike.
“I plan to return to my community and apply my knowledge in Santa Clara Pueblo. My children have given me the will and determination to return back to school after 12 years and obtain a degree that would benefit us all,” said scholarship recipient Camille Moquino who is studying accounting at Santa Fe Community College.
“My goal is to make a difference in my life and that of my family, the lives of others and to serve our community. This scholarship will make it easier for me to further my studies without being constantly worried about financial matters,” said Mariah Sweeney-Naranjo, a nursing student at Northern New Mexico College.
The LANL Foundation proudly thanks the addition of the Communities in Schools Endowed Venture Scholarship Fund, providing scholarships for students who received at least one year of case-managed support from Communities in Schools of New Mexico. Other additions include the Anchorum Health Foundation /Christus St. Vincent Medical Pathways Scholarship Fund established to support graduates of the high school medical pathways programs who intend to pursue a two- or four-year degree in a medical-related field at any accredited trade school, college, or university in the state of New Mexico, and the Peterson Career Pathways Scholarship Fund established in memory of the late Karen Peterson.
This May, the LANL Foundation announced recipients of the LANL Scholarship for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees, supporting 132 students across seven Northern New Mexico counties at a total $884,000. The combined scholarship awards total over $1 million this year, a first in the history of the scholarship program.
To learn more about the LANL Foundation, scholarship programs and funds, visit https://lanlfoundation.org/our-scholarships/.
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Since 1997, the LANL Foundation has been investing in education, learning, and human potential in Northern New Mexico. Through diverse programming and collaboration with key partners, the LANL Foundation works to ensure that all New Mexicans have the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient lifelong learners who are engaged in their communities. LANL Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of students’ access to academic and technical opportunities, leading to quality jobs by supporting college and career readiness in schools, districts, communities, Pueblos, Tribes, and Nations. For more information visit: https://www.lanlfoundation.org.
