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Adult Basic Education Instructor Zachary Romero teaches a reading/writing class at �鶹��Ƶ-Gallup on Oct. 7, 2025.

"A chance to do something for ourselves"

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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UNM-Gallup Adult Basic Education offers HiSET diploma plus workforce training

By Renaldo Fowler, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025

GALLUP, N.M. — After earning her commercial driver’s license, Marisol Reynolds is ready to see the world.

Reynolds, 31, is a student in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at �鶹��Ƶ-Gallup. While working toward her high school equivalency credential, she also signed up for CDL training offered through UNM-Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development program.

"Being in California, I wasn't able to have that opportunity to focus and stay in school," she said. "Being here, I was able to focus more on myself and get back into school and finish it. That was my goal."

Reynolds had her doubts when she started the CDL program. It was challenging, but she stuck with the program and passed the CDL exam the second time she attempted it. As a result, she is now CDL certified.

"Keep going"

Reynolds said the ABE staff was supportive and helpful during the challenging times.

"Everyone wants you to succeed, and they're very encouraging," Reynolds said. "Even on those days where you're like, 'I'm ready to just give up,' they're like, 'No, keep going.'"

Next, Reynolds hopes to complete her final two exams in the ABE program.

The program received reduced funding from the U.S. Department of Education this year, but money from the New Mexico Legislature was able to cover the deficit.

Despite the funding challenges, UNM-Gallup’s ABE program has achieved success recently.

ABE Program Manager Jacinta Sice, who has been with the program for more than 17 years, said the program saw an increase in enrollment with more than 150 students enrolling in the program per year.

The number of ABE graduates has also increased. In 2023-2024, there were 14 total graduates. In 2024-2025, there were 15 total graduates. So far nearly halfway through the 2025-2026 school year, there have been 10 graduates.

A better future

Arthur Medicine Jr., 22, from Fort Defiance, Arizona, is another student from the ABE program who plans to continue his education at UNM-Gallup once he earns his diploma. He is interested in pursuing nursing.

Medicine heard about the program from his mother and gained motivation to join the program. He saw it as an opportunity to obtain his high school equivalency and find future employment.

Medicine thought it would be difficult getting back into school, but he has enjoyed learning everything again. He described it as “refreshing.”

Integrated Education & Training

Sice hopes to continue the ABE program’s growth while also improving students’ measurable skills gains, which are indicators of a participant’s progress toward their educational or employment goals.

One of the ways ABE is achieving this is by introducing Integrated Education & Training (IET) into the curriculum. IET is an opportunity for students to gain workforce training alongside their adult education studies.

Sice said the ABE program partnered with Community Education & Workforce Development to offer CDL training to individuals pursuing their HiSET diploma.

Reynolds was one of two students who were the first to successfully complete the CDL program thanks to the new IET curriculum this semester.

Sice hopes to enroll more students in the IET program moving forward. She also hopes to expand ABE’s workforce training through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

To enroll in the ABE program, students need to submit an Interest Form on the ABE website, attend a mandatory orientation session, and take a placement test.

For more information,

Information: Program Manager Jacinta Sice, 505-863-7554 or jsice@unm.edu