Española Education Leader Glorianna D. Atencio Donates $106,000 to Northern New Mexico College Scholarship Fund

Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) is thrilled to announce a generous donation of $106,000 to the NNMC Scholarship Fund from Ms. Glorianna D. Atencio, President and CEO of the Española Education Association. This significant contribution will help support the educational dreams of students in northern New Mexico, furthering access to higher education and providing crucial financial assistance.

Ms. Atencio, a long-time educator and passionate advocate for students, has had an illustrious career that spans decades, shaping the lives of countless children in Española. A graduate of Loretta Heights College in Denver, she began her teaching journey in Española’s elementary schools, where she taught second grade at Española Elementary and sixth grade at Sombrillo Elementary. Known for her innovative spirit, Ms. Atencio introduced a skiing program for students and encouraged them to broaden their horizons by attending the opera.

Her leadership extended beyond the classroom. In 1989, after learning about the significance of retaining "minority guarantees" in NEA chapters to ensure equity governance, Ms. Atencio made the bold decision to take the Española chapter independent. She continued to champion local educators until her retirement in 1997 when the association became inactive. Wisely investing the organization’s membership funds, Ms. Atencio watched them grow over the years.

This year, Ms. Atencio decided it was time to dissolve the association and gift the accumulated balance of $106,000 to NNMC’s Scholarship Fund. In a special event held at the college, Northern President Hector Balderas and members of the Eagle Athletic teams came together to honor Ms. Atencio’s legacy of leadership, generosity, and commitment to the students of northern New Mexico.

Her donation will provide opportunities for aspiring students to pursue their academic goals, creating a brighter future for the region. "We are deeply grateful to Ms. Atencio for her unwavering dedication to education and her profound impact on our community," said President Balderas. "This gift will make a lasting difference in the lives of many students."

Ms. Atencio’s lifelong dedication to giving back and improving educational opportunities for local youth will continue to inspire generations to come.

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