What Is a Simon Scholar?

A Simon Scholar is a bright, motivated student with big dreams and the determination to make them real. Most are the first in their families to go to college, and all are academically driven. Though they may be under-resourced, they share a deep commitment to learning, growing, and succeeding in the face of challenges. They come from public high schools in Santa Fe and Albuquerque – students with talent, heart, and resilience. The New Mexico Simon Scholars Program provides opportunities that match their potential, and offers guidance and resources, as well as a community that believes that each student has the ability to succeed.

Beginning the summer before junior year, all Simon Scholars step into a program that helps them prepare for college and beyond. They receive personalized academic support, SAT preparation, help with essays and applications, and guidance through the financial aid process. But a Scholar’s journey isn’t just about grades and deadlines – it’s about discovering who they are, and what kind of future they want to build. Through retreats, different types of workshops, and shared experiences, Scholars not only gain confidence and self-knowledge, but they also develop lifelong friendships.

When college begins, that support doesn’t stop. The Simon Scholars community continues with scholarships, ongoing mentorship, and a support network of people who care. Whether studying in New Mexico or at a college across the country, our Scholars know they’re not alone – they have a team that’s cheering them on and there to help when challenges arise, and ready to celebrate every success, large and small. To be a Simon Scholar is to belong to something bigger: a family built on dreams for the future, hard work, and the belief that every student deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their circumstances.

WE are New Mexico Simon Scholars:

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Could you be in our next Simon Scholar class?

If you’re ready to take the next step toward college and your future, learn how to become a New Mexico Simon Scholar: Eligibility & the Application Process.

Scholar Spotlight: Luis Ornelas

Like many children of immigrants, the idea of attending college felt far away for Luis Ornelas. Yet after becoming a Simon Scholar, Luis announced at the welcome banquet a dream that once seemed out of reach: attending college outside New Mexico. “Sharing that goal with a supportive community made it less scary,” he recalls.

With encouragement from the New Mexico Simon Scholars Program, Luis set his sights high and earned admission to Stanford University, where he studied Urban Studies. His college years brought experiences he never dreamed possible, from studying abroad in Italy to meeting Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Today, Luis works on the research and policy team in the California Governor’s Office, building a career dedicated to education, public service, and community advocacy. His journey reflects a lesson he learned as a Simon Scholar: opportunities become even more meaningful when you use them to open doors for others.

Looking back, Luis reflects,

“Over the years, I’ve sat in rooms that little Luis didn’t know existed, held jobs he couldn’t have predicted, and had experiences he never would have imagined.”