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New Mexico Nursing Schools Receive a Welcome $30M Boost

Analysis  |  By Carol Davis  
   October 03, 2022

Funding intends to create more faculty positions and increase student graduation and placement rates.

Nursing schools at 11 colleges and universities in New Mexico received a portion of $30 million in faculty endowments from the New Mexico Higher Education Department to recruit and retain faculty and other supports.

The greatest share—$6.5 million—will go to the University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center to fund at least three additional nursing faculty to conduct research and prepare graduate students to enter leadership and faculty roles in healthcare and nurse education.

The university’s College of Nursing has the state’s only nursing PhD program and produces nurse educators for New Mexico’s 18 other public nursing programs, according to a press release from the state’s Higher Education Department.


The nurse funding is part of a larger $110.5 million endowment spread over 13 colleges and universities. Educator preparation programs will receive $50 million, and social work programs will receive $30.5 million, also to recruit and retain faculty.

“This funding will enhance our ability to attract and keep talented faculty to grow and sustain the pipeline of licensed educators, nurses, and social workers that support the lifelong success, health and well-being of New Mexicans,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said. "These are critical fields that are experiencing workforce shortages around the country, and this administration is committed to doing whatever is necessary to build up our in-state pipeline." 

The millions are invested to generate revenue year after year that fund faculty positions, support internships and residencies, and finance other activities to increase graduation and placement rates of students in relevant career fields.

Nursing schools at these colleges and universities received funding:

  • The University of New Mexico’s Health Sciences Center—$6.5 million 
  • Central New Mexico Community College—$3 million 
  • New Mexico Highlands University—$2.5 million 
  • The University of New Mexico–Gallup$2.5 million 
  • New Mexico State University$2.5 million 
  • Doña Ana Community College$2.5 million 
  • Northern New Mexico College$2.5 million 
  • Mesalands Community College$2 million 
  • Santa Fe Community College$2 million 
  • Western New Mexico University$2 million 
  • San Juan College$2 million

“The $2 million endowment funds for nursing faculty stipends at Santa Fe Community College is critical to meet the demand for expanding nursing education in the region,” said Terri Tewart, the college’s dean of Sciences, Health, and Engineering and Math.

“This endowment will make it possible to accept eight to 16 more students into our nursing program. Santa Fe Community College is expanding our faculty with one full-time and another part-time nurse educator,” she said. “We are incredibly grateful to the New Mexico Higher Education Department and the New Mexico Nurses Association for working on the pathway for this grant funding.” 

“This funding will enhance our ability to attract and keep talented faculty to grow and sustain the pipeline of licensed educators, nurses, and social workers that support the lifelong success, health, and well-being of New Mexicans.”

Carol Davis is the Nursing Editor at HealthLeaders, an HCPro brand.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

The New Mexico Higher Education Department awarded $110.5 million in faculty endowment funds to 13 colleges and universities across New Mexico.

$30 million went to nursing schools at 11 colleges and universities.

Santa Fe Community College will now be able to accept up to 16 more students into their nursing program. 

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