About The New Mexico Coalition for Literacy

Creating a pathway to the future for New Mexicans through literacy over 20 years...Thanks to Hastings, KOAT-TV, Lockheed Martin, and the Sulica Fund for their generous support this year!

General Information

The NMCL encourages and supports community-based literacy programs and is the New Mexico affiliate and coordinator for the national program of ProLiteracy America, overseeing certification and coordination of its volunteer, tutor trainers.

The NMCL's core projects include operation of a statewide, toll-free referral, recruitment, and information hotline sponsored by New Mexico's ABC affiliate, KOAT-TV; administration of the State of New Mexico Literacy Program Appropriation; operation of the New Mexico Literacy Resource Center, as designated by the U.S. Department of Education; and operation of a Literacy Training and Technical Assistance Program providing development opportunities to community-based literacy projects in a wide range of program areas.

Since its inception in 1987, more than twenty new literacy projects have been established in New Mexico. The NMCL conducts an annual survey of literacy programs to assess program needs and trends and maintains a statewide directory of adult education and literacy programs. Currently, the NMCL is serving the following communities.

The NMCL depends upon private donations as well as government funding to conduct its wide ranging development activities. A Board of Directors serves to keep the NMCL in the forefront of literacy program development. The NMCL enjoys the bipartisan support of state's Governor and Legislature. The NMCL works with the New Mexico Departments of Labor and Corrections, the Higher Education Department , and the Public Education Department. The New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and State Library have designated the NMCL as the sole provider of statewide literacy coordination and program enhancement activities.

NMCL Staff

Heather Heunermund
Executive Director

Heather joined the NMCL in May of 2001 and has served in many capacities within the organization throughout the years. She follows in the footsteps of the fearless leaders who came before her, carrying forth the mission, stewardship, and accountability of these predecessors. An advocate for student-centered program management and service, she demonstrates this belief by having served on boards and with student leadership groups at the collegiate level. Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts from St. John's College (the "Great Books Program") and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the College of Santa Fe (CSF). She also holds a Master's degree in Education with an emphasis in Community Counseling from CSF. Heather completed her clinical work with at-risk youth and their families and she currently volunteers as a grief facilitator for youth and as a basic literacy tutor for a local literacy program. While at the NMCL, she continues her work in service to at-risk populations. Heather spends what little free time she has with her four beloved felines, little Chihuahua, and sometimes her husband, Jonathan Haack - devoted 7th grade Math teacher at DeVargas Middle School and head varsity coach of Boys' Basketball at Monte del Sol Charter School.

Amy Jo Sandoval
Financial Manager

Amy Jo joined the NMCL in May of 2010 and has over thirty years of experience in the financial field. She owned AJS Accounting Services for over ten years, where she provided financial and computer services to several different entities. She also worked for a local CPA for over fourteen years. In fact, this was the start of her fascination in the professional field of numbers. Born in Santa Fe, Amy Jo enjoys being in New Mexico's beauiful outdoors and riding motorcycles with her husband. She has a son at UNM who is studying to be an electrical engineer. Amy also has five step children and five grandchildren! She looks forward to this new and exciting opportunity with the NMCL as the stewart of its finances. The NMCL, in turn, looks forward to her service and to remaining financially accountable thanks to her expertise.

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Ellen Gallegos
Office Manager

Ellen joined the NMCL in July of 2009 and brought with her thirty years of administrative/executive and front office experience. As an administrative assistant, Ellen was employed with Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) for over ten years where she worked closely with the State of New Mexico Medicaid Project. She also worked as a membership coordinator for the Museum of New Mexico Foundation and is very well versed in the fundraising aspect of a nonprofit organization. Ellen has also taken it upon herself to volunteer at several nonprofit organizations. Currently, she is volunteering for the Bandstand on the Plaza selling raffle tickets and schmoozing with tourists and locals. Ellen was born and raised in Santa Fe and is from a very large family, of which she is the youngest of thirteen siblings. She has raised one daughter but is not yet a grandma, which she feels would be the ultimate in life's adventures.

Virginia Pulver
Recruitment Consultant
VISTA Volunteer

Virginia is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, now a returning VISTA member doing capacity building work with the NMCL. She has a Master's degree in Organizational Management and a diverse background in recruiting and training. Virginia lived in Spain over ten years (five during the Franco-era) and also spent several years in Ukraine (Peace Corps) where she got first-hand experience with what it is like to NOT be able to read and write Russian. One of Virginia's personal interests involves the CALEB Library Project (Contributing to Africa's Literacy and Education Through Books) which focuses on libraries in rural Malawi, where her brother resides. Virginia's most recent solo adventure was a 40-day, 500-mile backpack trip across northern Spain on the Camino of Santiago de Compostela. Her sweet husband lovingly volunteered to stay home to walk the dog!

Board Members

Board Members

Rosina Boyd - NMCL Vice President, Chief of Staff, Minority Leadership Office (Retired), Santa Fe
Karen Bryan, School Administrator, (Retired), Silver City
Richard Cervantes - NMCL President, Higher Education Administrator, New Mexico Tech (Socorro), Albuquerque
Bruce Donisthorpe, Business Consultant, Albuquerque
Dr. A. Elizabeth Gordon, NMCL Past President, Environmental Consultant/Principal Research Scientist
(Retired), Albuquerque
Alma Green, Board Member, Literacy Volunteers of Socorro (Retired), Socorro
Ellen Harbaugh, Carlsbad Public Library (Retired), Carlsbad
Sally Harper, Librarian & Professional Volunteer, Las Cruces
Lewis Lamar, Insurance General Agent, TCF Solutions, Albuquerque
Betty Miller - NMCL Secretary, President, Reading Works, Tijeras

Ernest Padilla - NMCL Treasurer, Attorney, Santa Fe
Harry Pearson, Principal (Retired), Las Cruces
Gary Pierson, Real Estate, Albuquerque
J. Phillip Preston, Minister (Retired), Socorro
Shelly Ribando, Anchor, KOAT-TV,
Channel 7, Albuquerque
JoAnn Salome, Higher Education Administrator, New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Lisa Walden , General Book/Supplies Manager, UNM Bookstore, Albuquerque
Ex-officio Member:
First Lady Barbara Richardson, Santa Fe
Advisory Council:
Elba Garcia Burke, Las Cruces
Dr. Janet Green, Las Cruces
Dr. David O'Brien , Las Cruces
Dorothy Redd , Roswell
Heather Wilson, Albuquerque

Back to front, Left to right:
Phil Preston, Harry Pearson, David O'Brien, Liz Gordon, Richard Cervantes, Rosina Boyd, Bruce Donisthorpe, former Board member, Brenda Gray.

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address below, or

For information contact:
Heather Heunermund, Executive Director
New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
3209 Mercantile Ct., Suite B
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Tel: 505-982-3997
Toll Free: 1-800-233-7587
Fax.: 505-982-4095

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