Work could begin later this year on a project that will see the building of a 14,00-square-foot educational facility in Albuquerque’s Old Town neighborhood.
The project is being undertaken jointly by Central New Mexico Community College and the Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum, and will include early education learning space for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Uniquely, there will also be space for childcare facilities, a service designed to assist students with children. Officials with both CNM and Explora have pointed out that often students have to forego their dream of securing a college degree or professional certificate because of the demands of parenthood.
In a statement, Tracy Hartzier, the president of CNM, remarked: “We all know the critical importance of providing high-quality education and care during the formative year for children up to age 5.”
What is being called the Brillante Early Learning Center is expected to cost around $14 million to build, with funding coming from a combination of CNM, Explora, and state, city, and county support.
As planned, the center will not only include a variety of classrooms, but also a kitchen, art studio, and plaza.
The project has been in the planning and talking stage for close to a decade and draws upon studies that have explored the challenges of trying to go to school while raising a child.
This particular demographic is larger than is perhaps popularly known: According to the National Center for Education Statistics, roughly four million, or 20%, of all enrolled college students nationally are parents.
By Garry Boulard
