Inside Maine’s maximum-security lockup, Leo Hylton is giving a tour. Thirteen undergraduates, wearing bright-green lanyards strung with panic buttons, follow closely behind asking questions. Hylton, who is serving 50 years for burglary, robbery, and attempted murder, began his higher education journey here.

The University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Higher Education Department are launching a statewide survey to evaluate the food and housing needs of students attending the state’s public and tribal colleges and universities. According to the Higher Education Department, it will be the first time a state has conducted such a study.

With a $1.74 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Santa Fe Community College (SFCC) Foundation in New Mexico is creating a Student Parent Resource Hub to expand its support systems for students who are pregnant or have young children. 

The U.S.

Roughly 60% of New Mexico students recently faced food or housing insecurity, according to results from a basic needs survey released this month by UNM and the state higher education department. Overall, about two-thirds of people on college campuses — including faculty and staff — have struggled for basic needs.