Rooted in respect, empowering students
November 20, 2025
At UNM-Taos, inclusivity isn’t just lip service; it’s a promise. At the heart of that promise is the goal to be more effective in serving Taos Pueblo members by framing a cohesive narrative and fostering a respectful, supportive partnership.
The genesis of a partnership committee and eventual report began during Kate O'Neill's executive director tenure at UNM-Taos, which she held from 2006 to 2016. Collaboration efforts gained new momentum last year, culminating in an MOA between UNM-Taos and the Pueblo. It was signed by Taos Pueblo Governor Fred L. Romero and ůůֱ²¥ in December 2024.
Chancellor Dr. Mary Gutierrez has been actively engaged in ongoing, direct communication and collaboration with the Taos Pueblo Governor’s office, Tribal Secretary, and Taos Pueblo COO, Shawn Duran.
While there are many components to a collaboration like this, the primary aim is for UNM-Taos to become a stronger partner. That means respecting the sovereign nation’s government, traditions, and needs, and then adapting.
“It also means that Tribal members are accessing more higher ed opportunities and achieving life goals through education,” Dr. Gutierrez explained. “The big picture is that we have a respectful, productive relationship that continues to serve the Pueblo. Hopefully, as we educate together, harmful stereotypes and biases, misinformation, and lack of information will dissipate.”
Additionally, the partnership team is collaborating with New Mexico Highlands University and UNM Albuquerque. Areas of focus include Early Childhood Education, Elder Care, Teacher Preparation, and Social Work.
Strong presence
UNM-Taos Indigenous Outreach Coordinator Chenoa Velarde has office hours at Taos Pueblo, housed in the Taos Pueblo Youth Trailer, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and every first and third Friday of the month. The Youth Trailer is the hub of the Taos Pueblo Division of Education. With this location, Velarde can offer a private office space for meetings with students, Tribal programs, and community members.
She serves as a warm hand of introduction to UNM-Taos, providing information on degrees and certificates, financial aid and advising, as well as details on support services such as tutoring and the library.
“My role is to primarily support understanding for prospective community members, Tribal programs, and high school students on the post-secondary process,” she said. “I also support current UNM students through their academic journey as a point of connection.”
Velarde hopes this partnership will evolve into developing sustainable practices, programming, and collaborations that support the movement and direction of her Taos Pueblo community: “I hope the connections continue to be meaningful so that we can strengthen the UNM-Taos presence serving Indigenous communities.”
Also available at the Pueblo are services from Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Director Anwar Kaelin and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program Manager Elizabeth Campbell.
SBDC began holding office hours at the Taos Pueblo Red Willow Education Center in June. Kaelin holds five meetings per day, once a month. SBDC is currently serving more than a dozen clients from either the Taos or Picuris Pueblos. The response from Tribal entrepreneurs has also been very positive.
“Meeting with clients at Taos Pueblo has greatly increased access to our services for those whose work, cultural, or family obligations make it difficult to travel off the Pueblo. This accessibility has encouraged more exploratory conversations, giving individuals the opportunity to discuss business ideas and ask questions before committing financial resources,” Kaelin said.
These meetings have also opened the door to deeper discussions about the nuances of being a Tribal member in business—understanding the legal and tax implications of operating on Tribal land versus off the Pueblo, and planning appropriately for each. Kaelin added that clients often share that having a trusted, no-cost resource to walk through these details helps them make more informed choices and develop stronger, more sustainable businesses.
SBDC is seeing growing engagement and confidence as more Tribal members pursue entrepreneurial goals that align with both their family and cultural values.
“Many of the needs we’re hearing center around access to capital, business licensing, and support with formalizing or expanding home-based enterprises,” Kaelin said.
Many Pueblo clients are skilled artists, craftspeople, service providers, and food producers who are exploring how to transition from informal operations to licensed businesses capable of extending services beyond the Pueblo. Others are seeking help with financial management, pricing, and marketing as they work to reach new customers and diversify their income. “One of the most common topics SBDC assists with is understanding business tax obligations at the Tribal, state, and federal levels,” Kaelin shared.
By clarifying these practical and regulatory issues, SBDC is helping Pueblo entrepreneurs strengthen their business foundations and build lasting economic sustainability.
“Culturally and economically, we're sort of inextricably tied to Taos Pueblo. We have a lot of
reasons to think of them. First, they're one of the largest employers in Taos County. And second, they have training needs,” Campbell said.
When considering how to introduce CTE programs to the Pueblo, the first step is to identify what is most needed and then address those needs in terms of offerings.
“The first thing we landed on was the CDL-A (Commercial Driver’s License) training,” Campbell said. “They needed truck drivers. We offered the permit prep session and other related CDL training (minus actual driving) at the Red Willow Education Center.”
This past October, Campbell held the first fiber optic technician training cohort at the Pueblo. Surprisingly, while all the cohort participants were Tribal members, not all of them were from Taos Pueblo. A statewide Tribal broadband group had asked Campbell to speak with them about the trainings at UNM-Taos. Part of the information that came out of that conversation was that the school utilized a generous allocation from the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) that covered the cost for students participating in the fiber optic training. The word got around.
“And all of a sudden, when I scheduled the fiber optic cohort at Taos Pueblo, I started getting outreach from a lot of different Tribal groups. The most recent training cohort had a woman who came all the way from the Navajo Nation,” Campbell shared.
The next fiber optic technician training begins December 1, and the Santo Domingo Pueblo has already contacted Campbell about it: “I’m feeling really good about future trainings.”
What Campbell is looking to do next is bring wilderness first-aid classes, such as Wilderness First Responder and Wilderness First Aid, to the Pueblo and place them under NMHED’s grant umbrella, from which tuition can be covered. The Pueblo has expressed enthusiasm for those courses.
This is just the beginning.
“There'll be other needs, and we're looking to help fill those needs as they're defined,” Campbell said.
Other partnerships
The UNM-Taos Film and Digital Media Arts (FDMA) Program and Taos Pueblo are collaborating in the Native Voices Film Series. Additionally, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition Tribal Fellowship: Montana Fellowship Film included FDMA students from Taos Pueblo.
Last spring, UNM-Taos HIVE facilitated a Microsoft Suite workshop series at Taos Pueblo for Tribal members and employees.
By working together with community leaders and families, UNM-Taos is creating meaningful, culturally informed pathways to college. We empower students to explore their potential, discover their unique paths, and envision a future filled with possibilities. Whether it’s connecting students to academic opportunities, uplifting and celebrating diverse cultures, or serving as a trusted resource, our goal is to support students every step of the way.