2026 Connect New Mexico Program Application

Connect New Mexico is a five-month, statewide leadership experience for emerging professionals who are ready to grow as leaders and deepen their understanding of New Mexico and their role in shaping its future. Designed for early- to mid-career leaders, Connect focuses on self-awareness, leadership development, and civic understanding.

Instructions for Completing the Application:

Please complete all required fields in the application form. Incomplete applications may not be considered.
You will be asked to provide information about your professional background, leadership experience, and community involvement, along with a brief statement of interest.
Applicants should be prepared to commit fully to all program sessions if selected.
Selected applicants will be notified by email with next steps, including tuition, logistics, and important deadlines.
All application materials must be submitted by May 29, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.

We look forward to learning more about you and the perspective you would bring to the Connect New Mexico cohort.

Fields marked with an * are required.

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Important Notice – Application Cannot Be Saved *

Please note that this application cannot be saved and returned to at a later time. Once you begin filling out the form, you must complete and submit it on the same day. If the application is left idle, closed, or the page is refreshed, all entered information will be lost and you will need to start over.

As part of the application, you will be required to upload an up-to-date résumé and at least one (1) letter of recommendation. We strongly recommend updating your résumé in advance and having both documents ready for upload, along with any other required information, before beginning the application.

I understand

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Personal Data

First Name *

Last Name *

Date of Birth *

Age *

Gender *

Race/Ethnic Background

Leadership New Mexico values diversity and strives to ensure broad representation across our programs. This information helps ensure that our programs reflect the diversity of our state and bring together a broad range of voices, perspectives, and experiences. Providing the following information is optional, and responses will be kept confidential and used only for program purposes.

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Black or African American

Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin

Middle Eastern or North African

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White

Other

Prefer not to answer

Home Address *

Business Address *

Preferred Mailing Address *

Work Phone

If applicable

Home/Cell Phone *

Email Address *

Spouse or Partner's Name and Occupation:

If applicable

How long have you lived in New Mexico? *

Have you participated in another state or community leadership program? If so:

Name of Program	City/County/Region	Date(s)

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Business & Professional Affiliations

Professional References *

Please provide three (3) professional references who can speak to your leadership experience, character, and readiness for participation in the Connect New Mexico Program.

Reference Name *	Title *	Organization *	Relationship to You *	Email Address *	Phone Number *

Letter of Recommendation Upload *

Please upload at least one (1) letter of recommendation that speaks to your leadership, character, and readiness for the Connect New Mexico Program. Letters should be on organizational letterhead when possible and signed by the recommender. Accepted formats include PDF or Microsoft Word document.

20MB max

Letter of Recommendation Acknowledgment *

I confirm that the information provided above is accurate and that the uploaded letter of recommendation was submitted with the recommender’s knowledge and consent.

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Employment

Current Employer/Organization Name *

Sector *

Title *

Beginning Date *

Upload Your Résumé *

Please upload a current résumé that outlines your professional experience, education, leadership roles, and community involvement.

Your résumé will be used as part of the application review process to better understand your background, leadership experience, and potential contributions to the Connect New Mexico Program.

20MB max

Employment History *

Begin with your most recent position.

Employer *	Title/Position *	Beginning Date *	End Date *

Business & Professional Affiliations

If applicable, please list any current or past business and professional affiliations.

Do not include civic organizations, public service, or political activities in this section.

Name of Group	Positions Held/Assignments	Affiliation Starting Date	Affiliation End Date

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Education

List your high school, college(s), advanced degrees, and/or specialized training. *

Name of School *	City/State *	Degree/Certificate *	Subject/Area of Interest *

‎

If applicable, please list activities, leadership roles, honors, and special contributions during your education and/or training.

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Community Involvement

‎

If applicable, please list the community, civic, professional, or volunteer organizations you have been involved with. Include your role and the years of involvement.

Organization Name	Position Held or Assignments	Beginning Date	End Date	Type of Organization

‎Looking back, what do you consider your most meaningful contribution to your community, and why? *

What do you consider your most important accomplishment in community or civic activities? Why? *

Have you received any awards or recognition for your community involvement? If so, please share.

‎ *

Looking ahead, what kinds of community or statewide activities would you like to become more involved in, and what motivates that interest?

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Your Goals and Contributions

‎What leadership skills or knowledge do you most hope to develop through this program? *

‎ *

How do you see the Connect New Mexico Program helping you in your current role and in your future goals?

‎ *

What experiences, skills, or perspectives do you bring that will benefit your classmates and enrich the program?

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Program Policies & Agreements

Tuition *

If accepted into the Connect New Mexico Program, the participant, financial sponsor, and/or employer will be billed for the tuition fee of $2,500, which includes all program costs, materials, meals, and transportation during sessions. Participants are responsible for lodging and transportation costs to and from sessions.

Who will pay for your tuition?

Commitment *

If selected to participate in the Connect New Mexico Program, I agree to:

Attend and fully participate in all program functions, including the opening retreat, three three-day sessions, and the graduation ceremony.
Understand that attendance at the opening retreat and graduation are mandatory, and that if I miss more than 1 1/2 days of the remaining sessions for whatever reason, I will be automatically dropped from the program with no portion of my tuition refunded.
Uphold my responsibility to the program. If I fail to meet these obligations, I understand I may be asked to withdraw.

I certify that the information provided in this application is complete and accurate. I grant Leadership New Mexico and the Connect New Mexico Program permission to use my information and photograph for program reports, recognition, and publicity purposes.

By digitally signing this application, I affirm that I am the individual identified in this form and am authorized to submit this information on my own behalf. I acknowledge and accept the commitments outlined above.

Typed Signature *	Name & Title *	Date *

Employer Commitment *

By entering my full name below, I confirm that I have the approval, full support, and commitment of my employer to participate in the Connect New Mexico Program. This commitment includes providing the necessary time away from work to attend and fully engage in all scheduled program sessions.

If you agree, please type your full name and complete the required information below:

Applicant's Full Name *	Authorized Employer's Name & Title *	Date *

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Final Agreement

‎ *

By entering your full legal name below, you affirm that this entry constitutes your electronic signature, which shall be deemed the legal equivalent of your handwritten signature for all purposes. By doing so, you hereby certify and agree that:

You expressly accept and agree to be bound by all terms, conditions, obligations, and commitments set forth in the Connect New Mexico Program, including all referenced policies and requirements; and
To the best of your knowledge and belief, all information provided in this form is true, accurate, and complete.

You further affirm that you are the individual identified in this form and are duly authorized to submit this information on your own behalf.

Please verify that you have checked the “I'm not a robot” checkbox.