** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

HU Student-Athletes Post Strong Graduation Rates

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Craig Snow

Las Vegas, New Mexico – Student-athletes at New Mexico Highlands posted some strong graduation rates, according to the NCAA.

The NCCA released the Academic Success Rate report in a Nov. 14 news release, referencing graduation rates for the Division II 2008-2011 student-athlete cohort. Some highlights of the report for Highlands graduation rates include:

  • Women’s volleyball – 76 percent
  • Men’s cross-country– 71 percent
  • Women’s cross-country/track – 70 percent
  • Women’s basketball – 70 percent
  • Men’s baseball – 70 percent
  • Women’s soccer – 68 percent
  • Men’s wrestling – 61 percent

“As the athletics department at Highlands, we have the focus in the right place in regard to recruiting student-athletes who maintain an emphasis on academics once they come to our university while managing all their other responsibilities,” said Craig Snow, Highlands athletic director and head men’s basketball coach. “By definition, a sports scholarship is about getting an education. Our coaches have done a good job of keeping that as a high expectation on all our sports teams.”

Highlands President Sam Minner said the university is proud of the way its student-athletes perform in the classroom.

“Our student-athletes bring the same kind of discipline and dedication to academics as they do to their sport,” Minner said. “The research is clear that college athletics are some of the most meaningful experiences in a student’s life, shaping their future in powerful ways. Our student-athletes at Highlands set a high standard for success in life based on both their athletic and academic accomplishments.”

Terri Steeb Gronau, vice president for NCAA Division II, said Division II student-athletes continually exhibit their commitment to a well-rounded collegiate experience.

“They perform at high levels in the classroom, in athletics competition, and while serving their communities,” Gronau said. “We thank Division II member schools for the support they provide young people to prepare them for lifelong success.”

Snow said in other Athletic Department news, the Highlands football program improving its team GPA is a bright spot.

“For spring semester 2018, the football team posted its highest overall GPA in three years,” Snow said.