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Medical Laboratory Technology Program Director Lucia Guerrero, left, presents Adult Basic Educaton student Nikolai Neswood with a swag bag and cookie during the 2026 ABE Graduation Ceremony in Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-�糵�պ� on April 28, 2026.

Adult education grad: "You have a future"

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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UNM-�糵�պ� alum gives inspiring speech during inaugural graduation ceremony for adult learners

By Richard Reyes, Friday, May 15, 2026

GALLUP, N.M. — Sadie Acevedo once was lost, but through her faith and the support of the Adult Basic Education program at The University of New Mexico-�糵�պ�, she has become a leader in her church with the confidence to further her education.

The UNM-�糵�պ� Faculty Assembly’s Library Committee organized the ceremony with the goal of celebrating adult learners on campus while also bringing more awareness to the library’s services.

Adult Basic Education Program Manager Jacinta Sice congratulated students for overcoming obstacles to achieve success. She noted that adult learners may face doubt or uncertainty because they are returning to education after some time away. They may also have to balance school with work and family obligations.

“Today we gather to celebrate grit, growth and perseverance,” Sice said. “Graduation is more than walking across a stage or receiving a certificate. It's the result of countless decisions to keep going when stopping would have been easier. It represents belief. Belief in yourself, your future, and the power of change.”

“You have a future”

During her speech, Acevedo talked about the hardships she faced early in her life. She dropped out of high school in her freshman year, started drinking at the age of 12 years old, and became addicted to methamphetamine.

“I was very nervous, not knowing what to expect,” she said. “I took a deep breath and convinced myself to push through the first day. That was the hardest thing for me to do at the time because I was so self-conscious, worried that I wouldn’t fit in.”

Acevedo acknowledged that she struggled in the program, but she credited the staff for providing guidance and encouragement to help her get through it. Her faith also pushed her forward.

Now, Acevedo works with the �糵�պ� All Nations Assembly of God and is pursuing an associate of arts in ministry with plans to further her education so she can one day become a Christian counselor.

“I fought in darkness where no one else could see the struggle that I was enduring,” she told the graduates in attendance. “I am sure you all know what I’m talking about. You have pressed and fought. Your perseverance and your determination got you here. You didn’t give up. Now, the road ahead has not stopped. You have options. You have a strength that you didn’t have before. You have knowledge you didn’t have before. You have a future.”

Embracing life and humanity

Amber �糵�պ�, director of the Adult Education Division of the New Mexico Higher Education Department, also shared inspiring words with the grads, acknowledging the winding paths and detours they had to take to arrive at this destination.

She emphasized that the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship is available to help them go to college tuition-free. The Opportunity Scholarship covers 100% tuition and mandatory fees for New Mexico residents attending any New Mexico public college or university.

To learn more, visit the

Hard work and success

UNM-�糵�պ� Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell concluded the ceremony, reemphasizing the dedication and resilience of the graduates who completed the program.

To register, individuals must be 16 years old or older. Students aged 16-17 must obtain parent/guardian consent. New students must attend a mandatory orientation and complete a placement test.

New orientation dates and class session schedules for the 2026-2027 academic year will be shared on the Adult Basic Education website in June.

To learn more, visit UNM-�糵�պ�’s Adult Basic Education website.

Students of the Adult Basic Education 2026 graduating class pose for a group photo inside Zollinger Library at The University of New Mexico-�糵�պ� on April 28, 2026.