From left, UNM-Gallup Local Advisory Board member Becky Apel, former McKinley County Commissioner Bill Lee, UNM-G Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell, and UNM-G board Chairman Raymond Calderson share a laugh during a meeting with the governor in Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
Advancing our communities at the Legislature
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UNM-Gallup celebrates Gallup-McKinley County Day, advocates for building renovations to expand science classes
By Richard Reyes, Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2026
SANTA FE, N.M. — As the New Mexico Legislature celebrated Gallup-McKinley County Day in early February, Â鶹ĘÓƵ-Gallup played its part as a collaborator to help advance local communities.
The Legislature is nearing the end of its 30-day session, which is primarily focused on the state budget due to time constraints. But amid the crunch, UNM-Gallup representatives joined community leaders to advocate for local priorities and celebrate the region.
“UNM-Gallup’s participation in Gallup-McKinley County Day is one of many ways the branch campus works toward achieving our strategic planning goal of advancing our communities,” Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said. “Strengthening government partnerships and improving campus infrastructure are key to providing the best opportunities and learning spaces for our students."
UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell talks about the branch campus' infrastructure needs during a meeting with the governor in Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
UNM-Gallup works with local partners to help organize and facilitate the annual Gallup-McKinley County Day festivities in Santa Fe while also joining forces with a contingency of elected officials and public employees to advocate for infrastructure needs and more.
Significant contributions
Ezzell and UNM-Gallup Local Advisory Board members Raymond Calderon and Becky Apel participated in a roundtable meeting with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
The chancellor thanked Lujan Grisham for her commitment to higher education, particularly through the Opportunity Scholarship and Lottery Scholarship, which help cover tuition and fees for New Mexico college students.
Lujan Grisham noted that New Mexico rose from 40th place to No. 20 in the nation for higher education thanks in part to the Opportunity Scholarship.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks during a meeting with Gallup-McKinley County leaders in Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
Ezzell also thanked the governor for providing Government Results and Opportunity funding for UNM-Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development program as well as early childhood funding that supports the costs of daycare for students and employees.
“All of those efforts have made significant contributions to our whole state, especially our UNM-Gallup students and our community,” Ezzell said.
Renovations to science classrooms and labs
Ezzell then presented the branch campus’ big ask for this legislative session, a $3 million general obligation bond to renovate the north wing of Calvin Hall Center.
The proposed renovation would improve existing science classrooms and labs as well as adding a lab.
Students currently pursuing nursing or an associate degree in science are driving the increased need for science courses at UNM-Gallup.
In addition, UNM-Gallup’s partnership with the local school district, which includes health pathways, is expected to result in further demand in the future.
General obligation bonds provide funding for capital improvement projects for institutions of higher education, libraries, senior citizen facilities, and more.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham showcases a necklace with a pendant commemorating the Route 66 centennial after a meeting with Gallup-McKinley County leaders in Santa Fe on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026.
The New Mexico Legislature authorizes general obligation bonds during even-numbered years. Bonds must then be approved by voters during the November general election.
Gallup-McKinley County Day
The following day, the New Mexico House of Representatives proclaimed Feb. 5, 2026, as Gallup-McKinley County Day via a memorial introduced by Reps. Patty Lundstrom, D. Wonda Johnson and Martha Garcia.
Per annual tradition, all state lawmakers received corn necklaces and highly coveted lapel pins. This year’s pin design celebrated the centennial anniversary of historic Route 66.
Several state representatives lauded the pins while also sharing kind words about Gallup and McKinley County, celebrating the region’s cultural heritage, economic impact and community spirit.
“It’s true that Gallup-McKinley Day is all about the pins,” Lundstrom said. “Everybody has asked me about them. And it’s all about our community. I couldn’t be prouder. Gallup-McKinley County is New Mexico.”
New Mexico state Rep. Patty Lundstrom introduces House Memorial 15 to declare Gallup-McKinley County Day at the state capitol on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
The House then recognized Gallupians Joe Athens and Greg Kirk for their longtime service to the community.
On the Senate floor, Sen. George Munoz recognized Guido Zecca Jr. and the late Salvatore “Sammy C” Chioda for their civic dedication. The Senate also held a moment of silence in remembrance of Chioda, who died Nov. 14, 2025, at the age of 70.
“He is a true legend from the radio to athletics to the devotion of his family,” Munoz said about Chioda. “And we lost him this year — very quickly. … He was the voice of Gallup.”
College and career readiness
Later that afternoon, Gallup-McKinley County Schools students shared their experiences with the district’s “Schools Of” program and McKinley Academy during presentations in the Roundhouse rotunda.
The “Schools Of” program focuses on hands-on, career readiness pathways for engineering, health, media, business and technology.
McKinley Academy is an early college program that partners with UNM-Gallup to give students the chance to graduate with a high school diploma along with a college certificate or associate degree.
In their presentation, McKinley Academy students Benson Truong and Lamece Sarameh credited the dual-enrollment program for helping them become the best versions of themselves and figure out what career paths they want to pursue while taking courses at UNM-Gallup.
In this composite image, McKinley Academy students Benson Truong, left, and Lamece Sarameh deliver a presentation in the Roundhouse rotunda in Santa Fe on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
“It’s a good program — one of my favorites,” Sarameh said. “I don’t know where I would be without the academy today.”
Gallup-McKinley County Day concluded later that evening with a gala at Eldorado Hotel and Spa.
Former McKinley County Commissioner Bill Lee welcomes guests to the Gallup-McKinley County Day gala while current Commissioner Robert Baca looks on at Eldorado Hotel and Spa in Santa Fe on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
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