Oracle and Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico Celebrate First Scholarship Awards for Doña Ana County
Doña Ana County, New Mexico, and Austin, Texas—August 10, 2026
As students across Doña Ana County prepare for the upcoming academic year, a new group will receive additional support to help them stay focused on earning their degrees.
Earlier this year, Oracle and the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico announced a shared commitment to help local students pursue higher education. Today, that commitment is opening doors for students across Doña Ana County as scholarships have been awarded to 25 students pursuing degrees at the state’s four-year and community colleges, with special consideration given to students from Santa Teresa, Sunland Park, and surrounding communities.
As recipients pursue degrees in fields such as education, nursing, and social work, they are preparing to make meaningful contributions to their community. Among this year’s scholarship recipients is Ruben Gutierrez from Doña Ana County, who reflected on what receiving this scholarship means:
“I want to start off by thanking [Oracle] for providing me with this scholarship. This means a lot to me and my family, as it will allow me to attend New Mexico State University with a lot less financial stress. This scholarship will not only help me attend, but it will also let me focus strongly on my studies and to achieve all the goals that I have set for myself. My goal is to give back to the community that raised me and shaped me into the person that I am today. Your selection makes me feel honored and grateful as a person and as a student. I am motivated to work as hard as possible and to not give up until all my goals are achieved. This scholarship shows me that others believe in me; they believe in my future, and they believe in what I can accomplish. This scholarship, this opportunity, will stick with me forever, and when I become a teacher and later a school principal, I will give back to my community the same way you have to me.”
While New Mexico’s tuition-free college programs have expanded access to higher education, many students continue to face the costs of housing, transportation, books, food, and other everyday expenses. These scholarships help bridge that gap, giving students the support they need to stay focused on their education and achieve their goals.
“Each scholarship represents more than financial assistance. It’s an investment in a student’s future and in the future of our community,” said Terra V. Winter, PhD, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. “By helping reduce financial barriers, these scholarships make it possible for more students to complete their degrees and pursue meaningful careers.”
“Scholarships create cycles of opportunity,” said Colleen Cassity, global head of Social Impact, Oracle. “When we receive support, like a scholarship, we’re often inspired to pay it forward by helping others. By investing in local students today, scholarships help build the leaders, innovators, and community champions who will shape the future of Doña Ana County for generations to come.”
The scholarship program is part of Oracle and Project Jupiter’s ongoing community investments in Doña Ana County and across New Mexico.
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Candice Van Der Laan
candice.van.der.laan@oracle.com
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