ENLACE Sets up Offices at Law School Last fall, the University of New Mexico School of Law welcomed a
new community of educators and students. The UNM offices of Engag- ing Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE), an initiative that emphasizes the importance of furthering education among Hispanics and other minorities, moved to the law school after being located on main campus since its inception five years ago. Through a variety of programs for minority students and their par-
ents at targeted Albuquerque mid-schools and high schools, ENLACE hopes to reduce the high school dropout rate and increase college and graduate school completion. Students receive tutoring, counseling and endless amounts of informal support, and their parents can enroll in classes and receive support, as well. A special emphasis is placed on mi- nority students earning education degrees so that they can serve as role models for the generations behind them. Part of the ENLACE mission is to address education policy across
New Mexico and work for systemic changes to better serve students of all races who grow up in Hispanic communities, including Anglo children who encounter barriers to education. “It’s perfect to be at the law school, where policymakers are trained,”
says Karen Griego-Sanchez, ENLACE state director. “Now our students can see law school as an obtainable goal, and they see role models in other students, law professors and the dean herself.” Joining Griego-Sanchez at the law school is Antonio Gonzales, mentoring coordinator for UNM. Gonzales, who was an ENLACE mentor as an undergraduate at UNM, last year earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and is now teaching part time. He over- sees 25 paid undergraduate tutors and about 20 volunteer law school tutors, all of who work one-on-one with Albuquerque Public Schools students. Tutors help out any way they can, assisting with homework, preparing for college entrance exams, career planning and most impor- tantly, being a consistent source of support. “I ask what they are interested in and work with them on class assignments,” says Denise Chanez, a 3L and president of the Mexican American Law Student Association, who tutors two students at West Mesa High School. “We help out a big variety of students, from honor
students who might not have a family member to help prepare them for college, to students who are struggling academically. This is our chance to encourage students to follow what they want, despite not having friends in college.” Chanez, who is the first in her family to attend law school, also
appreciates the support she receives from ENLACE parent volunteers who coordinate projects from an office at the law school. Already, she
“
It’s important for the law school to be part of the national movement to involve law schools in programs that are working to improve student performance at all levels, from pre-school to college. ENLACE is an important part of our effort to expand the pipeline of children who are prepared for college and professional education in New Mexico.
– Dean Suellyn Scarnecchia ”
sees a valuable meshing of missions, ENLACE and the law school. She has gained insights on school projects involving educational equity from ENLACE volunteers, they have helped out with MALSA events. She also enjoys the homemade posole the parents have brought in for the law students. Members of the Black Law Students Association and Native American Law Students Association also work regularly with the ENLACE staff. From ENLACE’s paid staff to the volunteers, just walking into the law school on a regular basis has broken down barriers. “Many of our volunteers and workers feel in awe when they first come
to our offices here, that they can be part of such an esteemed higher education community,” says Griego-Sanchez. “Then, they are surprised when they are treated as equals. This has been the most welcoming, gracious, open place we’ve been on campus.”
Tim Atler, a 3L, tours West Mesa High School students through the law school
Karen Griego-Sanchez settles into her office at the UNM law school.
16 UNMLAW
WINTER 2006
LAW SCHOOL NEWS
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