Luján Announces Nearly $650,000 for Luna Community College Through a Federal Grant

Press Release

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico's Third District announced today that Luna Community College (LCC) in Las Vegas has been selected to receive nearly $650,000 in the first year of a five-year grant through the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program. The program through the Department of Education provides grants to help HSIs expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.

"Community colleges across New Mexico are a critical component in the effort to strengthen our economy and prepare students for their future careers. They provide valuable training that can help New Mexicans get ahead," Congressman Luján said. "With this important grant, Luna Community College can enhance its ability to provide students with the latest information and skills, while expanding access to its curriculum for more people in northern New Mexico."

Luna Community College will use the grant, which totals $649,988 in the first year, to create a pathway to success in high-demand programs. LCC has proposed to improve access to required clinical experiences through a simulation lab for students in Nursing/Allied Health programs. The college also plans to add two Allied Health and one Career Technical certificate programs, revitalize aging campus facilities to enable increased enrollment in Career Technical Education programs, update outdated equipment in five programs, and make education more accessible and convenient through hybrid courses and technology that allows instructors to record what happens in the classroom and make it available digitally. Achieving these objectives is expected to result in increased enrollment in target programs and allow three programs to earn national accreditation.

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