The Academic and Career Engagement (ACE) Center at San Juan College has once again proven its commitment to transforming lives through education.
San Juan College’s ACE Center Leads New Mexico in Adult Education Success
The center received three statewide awards for excellence in adult education from the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED).
These awards recognize the ACE Center’s outstanding performance, measurable student success and dedication to providing high-quality learning opportunities for adults across northwestern New Mexico.
The honors were presented by NMHED Cabinet Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez and Dr. Amber Gallup, Director of the NMHED Adult Education Division, during the annual New Mexico Adult Education Association (NMAEA) Conference.
Three Awards for Top Performance and Student Achievement
The ACE Center earned first-place recognition in three major categories:
- Highest High School Equivalency Attainment Rate
- Highest English as a Second Language (ESL) Measurable Skills Gains
- Highest Adult Education Measurable Skills Gains
These distinctions highlight the ACE Center’s consistent excellence and its mission to help adult learners reach their personal, academic and professional goals.
“San Juan ACE’s sweep of these three awards was no surprise,” said Dr. Amber Gallup, NMHED Director of the Adult Education Division. “Director Martinez-Maestas and her team consistently run one of the highest-performing Adult Education programs in the state. Even more impressively, their daily work—with us and for their students—shows how truly they embody the values of collaboration, inclusion, and quality.”
Empowering Adult Learners Through Education and Support
The ACE Center provides adult learners with the tools and resources they need to achieve academic and career success. The center offers Adult Education, High School Equivalency (HSE) preparation and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs designed to help students gain essential skills for employment, higher education and lifelong learning.
“This recognition reflects the extraordinary efforts of our students, staff and instructors,” said ACE Center Director Jennifer Martinez-Maestas. “Our learners show incredible determination and resilience, and our team is proud to support them as they take bold steps toward their goals.”
In recent years, the ACE Center has recorded some of the highest graduation and measurable skills gains in its history. Its consistent success has positioned San Juan College as a statewide leader in adult education outcomes and community impact.
Recognized for Excellence in Adult Education
The ACE Center’s impact is recognized not only by its students and the local community, but also by education leaders across the state.
“It comes as no surprise to me that the ACE Program achieved not just the highest Measurable Skills Gains rates for both ESL and Adult Education populations, but also the highest High School Equivalency Attainment rate in the entire state,” said Jamie Trujillo, Executive Director of the New Mexico Adult Education Association.
“ACE at San Juan College is known throughout the adult education and literacy field for its excellence, and it’s not hard to see why,” Trujillo continued. “Over the many years I’ve had the privilege of working with the ACE staff and faculty, I’ve seen firsthand the quality of their student-centered operations and their warm, welcoming environment. I applaud the ACE Program on this very well-deserved recognition. The program is nothing short of extraordinary.”
Take the Next Step Toward Your Goals
To learn more about the ACE Center and its adult education programs, call (505) 566-3270 to get started on your educational journey today.
