In this Nov. 13, 2024, file photo, the Cellicion Zuni Dancers perform in celebration of Native American Heritage Month inside Gurley Hall at UNMGallup.
UNMGallup accelerates Native American student success
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
Branch campus launches $2 million fundraising campaign to continue supporting underserved Lobos
By Richard Reyes, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026
GALLUP, N.M. 鈥 UNMGallup has embarked on a to help the branch campus maintain the state鈥檚 premier Native American Student Success Center (NASSC) as part of 伊人久久鈥檚 Accelerate New Mexico initiative.
In September, 伊人久久 and the 伊人久久 Foundation publicly launched Accelerate New Mexico, an historic $1.2 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign to expand student opportunity, advance research and innovation, strengthen faculty excellence, and invest in New Mexico鈥檚 future.
UNMGallup is seeking $2 million in philanthropic funding for the purpose of re-establishing and maintaining its NASSC in order to strengthen the branch鈥檚 commitment to improving the well-being of all students, including those who are traditionally marginalized and underserved.
鈥淭he UNMGallup Native American Student Success Center is aligned with the mission of the college: to prepare people to achieve their educational and professional goals in a context of respect for the traditions and values of the many groups it serves,鈥 UNMGallup Interim Chancellor John Zimmerman said. 鈥淭he NASSC will make a substantial positive impact in the lives of our students and serve the campus community as a whole through the creation and alignment of new resources, a clear strategic direction, and a focus on wraparound student supports.鈥
In this Nov. 6, 2025, file photo, Nakeisha Begaye, right, uses a sewing machine to make a ribbon skirt while special guest Chiara Holgate, standing, assists Sonny Gene inside the Native American Student Success Center at UNMGallup.
The NASSC is currently on hiatus after losing federal funding. Through the Accelerate New Mexico campaign, UNMGallup aims to raise funds to revive the center and help ensure that all students have access to resources and support to achieve their educational aspirations.
A brief history of the NASSC
In 2023, UNMGallup was awarded the federal designation of a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution and received a five-year, $3 million grant. UNMGallup serves a diverse student body with nearly 70% identifying as Native American.
In the 2024 fall semester, UNMGallup used the money to create the Native American Student Success Center and hire a director, a case worker, and an administrative assistant.
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Education ended discretionary funding for hundreds of minority-serving institutions, including UNMGallup.
The NASSC used the remaining federal grant award to continue supporting Indigenous students at UNMGallup, but the center was forced to go on hiatus at the end of September 2026 due to the lack of funding.
In this Nov. 11, 2025, file photo, special guest Sahale James teaches students how to make leather bracelets during an interactive workshop in the Native American Student Success Center at UNMGallup.
Regardless of these changes, UNMGallup remains committed to the well-being of all its students. The NASSC will carry on the ethos of the NASNTI designation and provide resources and support to students in the areas of:
- Emergency funds
- Academic support
- Career services
- Community building
- Cultural connectedness
- Sense of belonging
- Personal enrichment and growth
A "transformative resource"
While the NASSC operated for a brief time, it achieved a significant impact.
As part of its Emergency Assistance Program, the NASSC gave students gift cards to provide support for essential needs such as gas, groceries, textbooks, supplies, and personal care items. The center also provided snacks and refreshments for students on a regular basis.
The center also hosted a variety of events throughout the year, including Bingo style games that awarded groceries and other prizes, financial literacy workshops, and interactive demonstrations featuring special guests on various crafts such as cooking, beading, leather bracelets, and ribbon skirts.
UNMGallup business administration student Alicia Morris called the NASSC a 鈥渢ransformative resource鈥 for her personally.
Morris, who works as a student public relations assistant for UNMGallup, joined the NASSC on their trip to Phoenix and wrote about her experience. She also participated in a variety of NASSC events.
In this Nov. 6, 2025, file photo, special guest Emerald Arnold, second from right, leads a beading workshop for students inside the Native American Student Success Center at UNMGallup.
鈥淚t has not only provided me with invaluable opportunities and enriching experiences but also connected me to a broader network of Indigenous communities from surrounding tribal nations and beyond,鈥 Morris said. 鈥淭he center鈥檚 welcoming environment and cultural programming has helped me feel supported and empowered me to succeed as a student and as a member of my community. I strongly believe that this center is a vital part of 伊人久久 Gallup鈥檚 mission and a model for how higher education can honor and uplift Indigenous students.鈥
To support the Native American Student Success Center and contribute to UNMGallup鈥檚 fundraising campaign,
In this March 6, 2026, file photo, a group of students from UNMGallup pose for a photo in front of the Heard Museum entrance in Phoenix during an enrichment trip sponsored by the Native American Student Success Center. From left: Alicia Morris, Cory Herbert, Luke Haley, Katelynn Wilson, Ashley Thomas, Micah Gruber, and Jaelyn Dakia.
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