The Family Study Room at the San Juan College Tutoring Center has several pieces of furniture purchased through the family friendly higher education grant that was a total of $5,000. The college was recently listed as a recipient of funding from the New Mexico Higher Education Department that totals $10 million to invest in expanding child care infrastructure on college and university campuses. (Alx Lee/Tri-City Record)
The Family Study Room at the San Juan College Tutoring Center has several pieces of furniture purchased through the family friendly higher education grant that was a total of $5,000. The college was recently listed as a recipient of funding from the New Mexico Higher Education Department that totals $10 million to invest in expanding child care infrastructure on college and university campuses. (Alx Lee/Tri-City Record)

The New Mexico Higher Education Department has announced $10 million in new investments to expand child care infrastructure on college and university campuses statewide, strengthening support for students, families and campus communities.

These grants will help to create and expand childcare facilities that serve students, families, faculty and staff on higher education campuses, and surrounding communities.

The funding is part of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s strategic plan to build a universal child care system that supports New Mexico families.

Five colleges and universities received funding for new or expanded child care facilities:

University of New Mexico: Children’s Campus Cluster 1 Expansion, $4,710,000.
San Juan College: CDFC Renovation & Equipment/Furnishing Purchase, $2,540,000.
New Mexico State University: Myrna’s Children’s Village Modernization and Expansion, $1,500,000
Santa Fe Community College: Kids Campus Classroom Renovations and Expansion Phase 1, $1,000,000
Eastern New Mexico University: Roswell Child Development Center Renovation, $250,000

The projects include funding for planning, design, construction, renovation, furnishing and equipment upgrades needed to expand child care capacity at higher education campuses.

“Access to childcare is essential for student parents, campus employees and families across our communities,” said Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez. “These investments reflect New Mexico’s commitment to supporting working families, expanding opportunity and ensuring that more New Mexicans can pursue higher education without barriers.”

According to the NMHED, demand for this funding underscores the statewide need for expanded child care capacity with the department receiving 25 proposals from 18 higher education institutions totaling approximately $119.8 million in requests.

“Collectively, the projects could expand universal child care to more than 1,260 children,” said the NMHED. “Many of the projects are located in areas experiencing significant shortages of licensed childcare, often referred to as ‘childcare deserts.’”

Those facilities funded can also strengthen campus based early childhood education and child development programs, creating hands on learning environments for students preparing to enter the early childhood workforce.

Funding recommendations were developed through a statewide review process led by NMHED in collaboration with the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department and the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration.

“Universal Child Care becomes real when a parent can leave their child in a safe, quality program steps away from where they learn and work,” said Early Childhood Education and Care Department Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. “With the Higher Education Department and our partners across the state, we’re meeting families on campus and strengthening care for student parents, campus employees, and the communities they’re part of.”

Funding availability is contingent upon the successful sale of severance tax bonds, anticipated in June 2026. Awarded institutions can expect funds to become available in early July 2026.