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Friday, November 18, 2005

NMHU Colloquium Spotlights Achievement Gap

Journal Staff Report
    LAS VEGAS, N.M.— Closing the achievement gap in New Mexico's public schools— and the challenges of the federal No Child Left Behind Act— are hot topics among educators and lawmakers alike. They're also the center of the first major public event continuing today at New Mexico Highlands University's Ben Lujan Leadership and Public Policy Institute.
    The institute's first colloquium, a two-day gathering of statewide leaders in education, government and business, began Thursday with opening ceremonies at Ilfeld Auditorium on campus.
    Among the movers and shakers who planned to attend over the two days is state Secretary of Education Veronica Garcia, leading discussions about the federal law and its implications for the state's educators and students. According to colloquium organizers, institute fellows have been asked to identify areas where changes in policy and legislation can lead to improvement and to "vigorously pursue those changes during the coming year."
    The event's agenda called for institute fellows to work, first as one group, then as part of break-out panels, in workshop-style sessions over the two days. By the colloquium's end, said spokesman David Roybal, the fellows hope to have two or three specific public policy projects to push in the coming years.
    "We're looking to increase dialogue, because it is helpful," he said, "but the ultimate goal is to have an impact on policy and legislation."
    At least 35 invited fellows are expected to take part in the inaugural event of the Ben Lujan Leadership and Public Policy Institute, which was introduced by NMHU President Manny Aragon this year. The fellows include professors and deans from Highlands, as well as others in academia and other fields from across the state, Roybal said.
    The Ben Lujan institute has five components, each named after a major New Mexico political figure, including three governors; the branch primarily sponsoring the first colloquium is the Manuel Lujan Jr. Public Policy Center. Others include the Bill Richardson Public Policy Center, the Jerry Apodaca Summer Public Policy Center, the Toney Anaya Think Tank and the Samuel O. Montoya Center for Community Service.
    Aragon said the creation of these public policy and service centers goes hand in hand with the Highlands mission.
    "We are increasing efforts to make more meaningful our designation by the federal government as a Hispanic-Serving Institution," he said in a news release. "It is what will drive the Ben Lujan Leadership and Public Policy Institute."
    The institute received taxpayer funding through the 2005 Legislature.
    As part of the institute's ongoing work, plans are in order to offer up to 20 student fellows cost-free participation in Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs' summer program. Beginning in 2006, the Ben Lujan Institute and Bill Richardson Public Policy Center will accept nominations of college juniors for the 2007 summer session. Thereafter, nominations will be accepted by each September.
    Thursday's opening ceremonies included formal recognition of the partnership between the institute and the Woodrow Wilson School.
    Under terms of the agreement, the Woodrow Wilson School would pay for tuition and fees, textbooks, round-trip travel expenses, dormitory accommodations, meal plan, access to university libraries, athletic facilities and health services, and a $1,500 stipend, according to the release. Additionally, through a separate agreement with the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, those accepted for the Princeton summer program and later admitted to certain graduate schools will be provided financial assistance through the foundation.