Frances Bannowsky - Program Director
505-476-8437 - frances.bannowskv@state.nm.us
Frances is responsible for planning and coordinating site visits and desk audits of ABE programs throughout the state. developing materials and processes for assisting programs with improvement plans to increase performance while meeting student needs and complying with federal and state regulations guiding the ABE program. During the past decade and a half. Frances designed, implemented, supervised, and assessed Developmental and ABE education programs both in New Mexico and in Washington state. Her work in post-secondary education has been primarily at tribal colleges, and she has worked both in the public and private sectors, not only in education but also in other areas. Frances holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Puget Sound in Washington and a Juris Doctor Degree from the Seattle University School of Law

Data Analyst                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Cesaria (Cia) Tapia - Business Manager 
505-476-8421 - cesaria.tapia1@state.nm.us
Cia serves as the Business Manager in the Adult Basic Education Division.  She formerly served as Administrative Support in the Instructional Material Bureau at the Public Education Department. She has also been employed by the General Services Department and the Taxation & Revenue Department of New Mexico. Cia brings a varied background of financial and well as administrative experience to the Higher Education Department. Cia has attended New Mexico State University and the American Institute of Banking.


Financial Aid

 Financial Aid Director 
1-800-279-9777-  

Heather Romero
505-476-8410 - heather.romero@state.nm.us
Heather Romero serves as the first point of contact for the Financial Aid Division, answering all inquiries regarding financial aid policy and provides a level of support to the institutions around the state; processing all payments relating to New Mexico State Financial Aid programs. In addition she sits on the Dual Credit Council and coordinates special projects as assigned by the director. She also serves as Treasurer within her own Homeowner Association community. She attended Paradise Valley Community College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science

Feliz Romero
505-476-8411 - feliz.romero@state.nm.us
Feliz Romero is the Department’s Financial Aid Program Coordinator.  Feliz manages all in house financial aid programs including all aspects of the Loan for Service and state loan repayment programs. Feliz is responsible for compiling and submitting federal grant reports.  She is also responsible for interpreting federal, state and local statutes as well as regulations to ensure compliance and clearly communicate those interpretations to constituencies. She also assists in the development of promotional and informational materials for use in recruitment and financial aid activities, and participates in outreach events.  Feliz has a vast background in education. She was previously the Business Operations Specialist for the Special Education Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department. In that capacity, Feliz helped administer the IDEA-B grant, and administered and managed the administrative budget for the Bureau. She also reimbursed the district flow-through dollars for the pre-school and entitlement programs. Feliz graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Communications and a Minor in Psychology. Feliz is currently working on her Masters of Business Administration at New Mexico Highlands University, which she will complete in December, 2011.  

Mia Candelaria 
505-476-8412 - MiaP.Candelaria@state.nm.us
Mia Candelaria is the Financial Aid Specialist in the Financial Aid Division.  Prior to joining NMHED, she was employed by New Mexico Public Education Department. She brings thirteen  years of financial and  administrative experience to the division. She serves as the first point of contact for student financial inquires and coordinates special projects. She supports the Financial Aid program and the State Director. Mia has attended Santa Fe Community College.   
 

Private and Proprietary Schools Administrator

Stephanie Ellis. 505-476-8442 - stephanie.ellis@state.nm.us.
Stephanie is responsible for the department’s statewide oversight function pertaining to private and proprietary postsecondary educational institutions including private colleges, universities, career schools and other training businesses.   With that, she is charged with the approval of licensures, registrations, and claims for exemptions in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.  Other duties include collaboration with other state entities and initiating enforcement action against non-compliant institutions, processing complaints, and student advocacy. Previously, Stephanie worked under the Institutional Finance Division as a Program Evaluator  reviewing publicly funded college and university programs for compliance with statutory intent. Specifically, Stephanie coordinated performance evaluations of special appropriations known as Research and Public Service Projects (RPSP), coordinating annual RPSP funding requests, and training institutional personnel in the RPSP submission and reporting requirements. She has a background as a Compliance Officer and Internal Auditor for a local Santa Fe bank, and was the Senior Program Administrator of the federally funded Drinking Water Program for the New Mexico Finance Authority. Stephanie holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration with a major in Management, Magna Corn Laude from the College of Santa Fe. Stephanie is a native of Germany. 

Diane Vigil-Hayes - Compliance Officer
505-476-8418 - Diane.Vigil@state.nm.us
Diane is employed as the Private & Proprietary School Administrator & Compliance Officer for NMHED.  Formerly, she was the Exam Administrator and Compliance Liaison for the NM Board of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Board, and has also worked in the non-profit sector for almost twenty years.  She obtained an Associates of Science in Computer Science and is intending on pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  Diane has made Santa Fe her home for the last forty years.  Her Vigil Family goes back generations from the Village of Pecos and Santa Fe’s eastside.  She is happily married to Henry, is mother of two children, and grandmother of three grandchildren.  Diane volunteers with the Scholarship Committee of MANA del Norte and was elected Secretary this year.  She also serves the Cristo Rey Catholic Church as a member of the Altar Society and is currently the Treasurer.  She is proud to have served as a lector at Cristo Rey for the last fifteen years. 

NM GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program)
 

Dr. Chandler Barrett - NM GEAR UP Director
505-476-8424- chandler.barrett@state.nm.us
As State Director for GEAR UP New Mexico, Dr. Barrett's primary interest is in strengthening relationships that support student success. In support of this goal. he has established a full-time, in-school Academic Support Program in each of New Mexico's 29 participating schools, initiated a statewide Student Leadership program, organized an innovative School-Community Engagement Program using empowering documentary film activities, as well as other initiatives. Chandler serves as primary researcher and evaluator for the GEAR UP NM program. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico, a Master's Degree in Education from Norwich University. and a bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of CANT-