Every year, the University of Chicago recognizes one of its many exemplary community-based partners through an award called the Community-Based Organization of the Year. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are absolutely vital resources and advocates for their students and invaluable partners to institutions of higher education. CBOs are organizations of their communities, for their communities, and by their communities. UChicago partners with hundreds of CBOs each year to provide students with opportunities to engage with admissions counselors and current UChicago students, connect them with information and resources about higher education and the college application process, and support them to and through college.

Photo Credit: all photos by Brandon Soder
UChicago is excited to announce that this year’s CBO and Access Partner of the Year is the Davis New Mexico Scholarship (DNMS). Since 2014, DNMS has promoted college access for first-generation college-going students in New Mexico by supporting students and strengthening pathways to higher education for first-generation college students from Northern New Mexico. Over the past ten years, the program has awarded over $35 million in scholarships to support high-achieving college bound New Mexican students.
The Davis New Mexico Scholarship also works with Rural Opportunities for College Success (ROCA) to provide their students with a week-long program to explore colleges outside of New Mexico. Participating students take part in application workshops, college searches, and meet with admissions officers from around the country. Programs like this are just one example of the endless support of DNMS, which has led to a graduation and retention rate of 93%, which is more than triple the national average graduation rate for first-generation students.


With over 90% of scholars graduating in four years, the Davis New Mexico Scholarship has shown its dedication to breaking the generational opportunity gap, ensuring that their students receive the opportunity to learn and grow into self-sufficient adults. They have remained an active member of UChicago’s Access Partners Advisory Council and have partnered with several admissions officers on in-person programming for their students. We look forward to continuing to support their work in the future. We are honored to be of assistance to them, and excited to recognize them as our CBO and Access Partner of the Year.