UNM partners with National Hispanic Institute to host high school youth legislative session

The University of New Mexico (UNM) is partnering with the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) to host the statewide 2025 Dionisio "Dennis" Chavez New Mexico Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session for high school students.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 Dennis Chavez New Mexico Lorenzo de Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session for high school students.

Born in New Mexico, Chavez served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931-1935 and in the U.S. Senate from 1935-1962. He was the first Hispanic elected official to serve in the Senate and the first senator born in New Mexico.

Presented by the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) and hosted by the University of New Mexico (UNM), the Youth Legislation Session is an eight-day program for 10th-and 11th-grade students. From June 8 to 15, 2025, New Mexico's top 150 high school students will learn and engage in key leadership roles focusing on civic engagement and leadership. Selected students will develop professional, personal, and business skills through asset-based community equity building in their quest to envision the future of New Mexico.

Eligible applicants are New Mexico high school sophomores and juniors with a minimum 3.2 grade point average or better and are enrolled in a college-bound high school graduation plan. There is no application or tuition fee due to the New Mexico Legislature and sponsoring State Senator Michael Padilla. The only cost for participants is travel to and from UNM to the New Mexico State Capitol. Transportation assistance will be available for students.

The program's co-sponsors include ENLACE New Mexico, a statewide collaborative focused on student success and community engagement, the UNM Health Sciences Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and UNM El Centro de la Raza, a resource center committed to improving the transition, retention, and graduation of UNM students.

Those interested or with questions should contact Director Gloria de León at [email protected] or by telephone at 512-587-3465.

Click here to apply and for more information.