During the Lt. Governor’s Graduation Summit held in Las Cruces on September 10, the Bridge of Southern New Mexico announced the hiring of its first Executive Director. Selected is Nancy Barnes-Smith, a New Mexico native currently residing in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where she serves as manager of Family and Community Support Services in the Town of High River. She will begin her new role November 16th.

The Bridge was one of several presenters at the Lt. Governor’s Graduation Summit from around the State of New Mexico focusing on increasing the high school graduation rate. The presentation included details of New Mexico’s first Early College High School (ECHS), which will be built in the Arrowhead Research Park at New Mexico State University.

The Bridge has launched a new website which provides more information about the organization and its mission. The September/October issue of the organization’s newsletter, “The Link” includes more details about the new Executive Director and the Graduation Summit presentation. It will be available on the website in the near future.