ENLACE AVID Collaborative:
Established more than 30 years, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a global nonprofit organization that operates with one guiding principle: Hold students accountable to the highest standards, provide academic and social support, and they will rise to the challenge. AVID currently impacts more than 700,000 students in 45 states and 16 other countries/ter
ritories. AVID’s mission is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. ENLACE NM was created as a pilot project in 1999 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to increase access and success in education. New Mexico was fortunate to be awarded funding to support three original sites based at New Mexico State University (NMSU), Santa Fe Community College., and the University of New Mexico (UNM). Additional funding was provided in 2001 to eventually expand ENLACE New Mexico to five regions leading to additional partnerships with Clovis Community College (CCC), Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU), Northern New Mexico College (NNMC), and San Juan College (SJC). The ENLACE Statewide Collaborative focuses on student access and success. We currently have a 93% retention rate and a 90% graduation rate for participants in our initiatives. At the very heart of ENLACE New Mexico are our students and families. They form the foundation for our vision, our passion, our work, our core values, and our future. Giving life to their voices is what ENLACE New Mexico is all about. The nature in which ENLACE partners with particular organizations says much about the strength and integrity of community partnerships. Partnerships are formed with various organizations that have similar missions and values because there is a common understanding that the challenges are greater than our programs alone and united advocacy is necessary for constructive change. This is accomplished through civic engagement, family involvement, leadership development, and educational programs at all levels. Members of the ENLACE/AVID Collaborative include: The Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe Public Schools, Northern New Mexico College, The Center of Education and Study of Diverse Education at New Mexico Highlands University, and the public school systems in Espanola, Pojoaque and Las Vegas.
