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In an effort to improve high school graduation rates, a new program at UNM will help prepare high school students for college a year before they graduate high school.
A partnership between UNM, NMSU and Rosemont Leadership Institute, a nonprofit organization funded by real estate and investment company Rosemont Realty, will allow New Mexico high school seniors to improve critical thinking and leadership skills before they attend the University.
In May, former UNM President David Schmidly and NMSU President Barbara Couture signed a memorandum that outlines a partnership with the Rosemont Leadership Institute.
Rosemont Realty CEO Dan Burrel said the goals of the organization include decreasing the high school dropout rate, increasing college graduation rates and producing alumni who are more confident and career-oriented.
According to Albuquerque Public Schools, only 63 percent of high school students graduate high school in four years.
According to the UNM Enrollment Management Division, only 45 percent of students graduate from UNM in six years.
Burrel said the partnership is a long-term investment with the community that will help New Mexico thrive economically and that improving high school graduation rates should be the first strategic goal of New Mexico during the next decade.
“With one-third of the state’s high school students dropping out, New Mexico is struggling to realize its full economic potential,” Burrel said. “That is why I am launching Rosemont Leadership Institute.”
Representatives from Rosemont Realty said students participating in the program, called fellows, will take part in leadership training sessions at both UNM and NMSU throughout their senior year of high school. Participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship to UNM or NMSU that will be distributed over the course of four years.
A joint committee composed of UNM officials and Rosemont Realty staff will select 30 high school students to participate in the program next year.
Representatives said that in order to maintain the scholarship, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, take at least one leadership course per year, belong to a student organization on campus, participate in a program to shadow a leader and mentor high school students who are following them in the program.
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Anderson School of Management Dean Doug Brown said that Rosemont Realty provided both universities with a $750,000 scholarship commitment. He said the scholarship funding will not be the only benefit of UNM’s partnership with the company.
“This is a wonderful opportunity I took a particular interest in because it’s an opportunity for internships and permanent employment with the company (Rosemont Realty), which has become a substantial force in the local economy,” Brown said. “We want to make sure we provide excellent communication and support for the program. We have an active interest.”
