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Pieces from The University of New Mexico-¹ú²ú̽»¨ Native American art collection stand out in the background while the Cellicion Zuni Dancers perform in celebration of Native American Heritage Month inside Gurley Hall on Nov. 13, 2024.

UNM-¹ú²ú̽»¨ opens new Native American Student Success Center

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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New director building program to be a student-centered space where all are welcome

By Richard Reyes, Friday, February 28, 2025

GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-¹ú²ú̽»¨ opened a new Native American Student Success Center that aims to become a student-centered space where Lobos can build community together.

The Native American Student Success Center hired a director Nov. 12, 2024, and they have been tasked with building the program from the ground up. The director wants the center to be a place where students can hang out, access computers, grab a snack, get coffee or tea, and more.

Some ideas for future events include a friendship prayer circle, semester kickoff breakfasts, positive affirmations with elders or alumni, a speaker series, and a Native American graduation ceremony.

The center is currently located inside Gurley Hall in the former Student Veterans Association space next door to TRIO/Student Support Services and the Student Resource Center.

UNM-¹ú²ú̽»¨ established the center in the Fall 2024 semester after receiving a five-year, $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution program.

UNM-¹ú²ú̽»¨ was designated as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution in 2023.

As of the Spring 2025 semester, students who identify as American Indian and Native Hawaiian make up approximately 68% of UNM-¹ú²ú̽»¨â€™s student campus headcount.

The center is open and available to any and all students at UNM-¹ú²ú̽»¨.