In this Oct. 16, 2024, file photo, students participate in the College Transfer & Scholarship Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons at The University of New Mexico-Gallup.
ñ to host 2026 College Transfer Fair on Oct. 13
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
Event gives students the chance to connect with reps from colleges, universities and scholarship programs
By Richard Reyes, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup will host its annual College Transfer & Scholarship Fair in October to showcase the variety of higher education options available to Lobos as well as other local students and community members.
The fair is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in the Gurley Hall Commons, located at 705 Gurley Ave. The event will provide the public with opportunities to connect with colleges and universities in one place, meet with student success advisors, learn about transfer programs, and meet with scholarship representatives.
“I hope students get a clear guide of where they want to transfer or narrow down some schools where they want to transfer and get their questions answered,” TRIO Student Support Services Program Director Kimimila Simms said. “Students can also get an idea of what it takes to transfer and when they should start the transfer process. As for scholarships, they can make sure they have the funding and can afford the transfer.”
In this Oct. 16, 2024, file photo, a student participates in the College Transfer & Scholarship Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons at The University of New Mexico-Gallup.
As a two-year institution, ñ provides several programs for students seeking certificates and associate degrees to enter the workforce directly.
In addition, ñ serves as a springboard for students who want to start their education close to home, then transfer to another institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree or higher.
The College Transfer & Scholarship Fair is organized by the ñ Student Affairs Department in partnership with McKinley Academy. McKinley Academy, which operates on the ñ campus, is a dual enrollment high school program offered by Gallup-McKinley County Schools.
“By participating in UNM Gallup's College Transfer & Scholarship Fair, I hope McKinley Academy students become aware of all of the amazing college and scholarship opportunities that they can take advantage of after high school,” McKinley Academy School Counselor Melissa Rodriquez said. “I also hope this helps them make informed decisions about where they want to attend college or trade programs and ways to help cover the costs of their future educational goals.”
“Expand your horizons”
The College Transfer & Scholarship Fair is open to all local students and community members, particularly students who are getting ready to graduate, students who are thinking about transferring to UNM Albuquerque or another college/university, or students who are exploring other education options.
“I think it’s really important to get a bachelor’s degree or higher because it brings more job opportunities in certain fields, better employability skills and a higher earning potential,” Simms said. “It’s also good to expand your horizons and see what else is out there in the world and gain more experience.”
ñ Director of Admissions and Academic Advisement Dr. Michelle Lee encourages students to explore their transfer options and start thinking about their next level of education.
In this Oct. 16, 2024, file photo, students participate in the College Transfer & Scholarship Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons at The University of New Mexico-Gallup.
“Transfer fairs help to create excitement and momentum for those students who might come across a program that interests them,” she said. “We hope that they can then come back to advisement with more specific inquiries about their career or academic pathway. This helps the advisors to triangulate information to assist in a seamless transfer process.”
For students interested in attending the fair, Lee said ñ advisors can share a game plan worksheet with them. The worksheet offers an elevator pitch and suggested questions, so students know what to say and ask when visiting a booth at the transfer fair. The worksheet is meant to help ease feelings of intimidation or overload.
Confirmed participants
ñ is in the process of extending invitations to schools, scholarship programs and other organizations to participate in the 2026 College Transfer & Scholarship Fair. To sign up for a booth,
The following is a list of organizations that have registered to participate in this year’s event:
- Central New Mexico Community College
- Fort Lewis College
- Gallup-McKinley County Schools
- Goodwill Industries of New Mexico
- Navajo Nation Department for Self Reliance
- Navajo Nation Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
- Navajo Technical University
- New Mexico State University
- Pueblo of Zuni - Zuni Education & Career Development Center
- Souder, Miller & Associates
- The James & Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership
- ñ Nursing
- UNM Arts & Sciences Center for Academic Success
- UNM College of Education and Human Services
- UNM College of Population Health
- UNM Health Sciences Career Program
- UNM Health Sciences Center Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- UNM Liberal Arts & Integrative Studies Program
- UNM Office of Admissions
- UNM Office of Pre-Health Professions Student Development
- UNM Online
- UNM School of Engineering
- UNM Transfer & Transition Student Center
- UNM University College
- UNM Veteran & Military Resource Center
For more information about the College Transfer & Scholarship Fair, contact Melissa Rodriquez at mrodriq1@gmcs.org or 505-721-4204.
In this Oct. 16, 2024, file photo, a student participates in the College Transfer & Scholarship Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons at The University of New Mexico-Gallup.
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The University of New Mexico - Gallup
705 Gurley Ave.
Gallup, NM 87301
(505) 863-7500
