Policy Forum: Dr. Gabriella Durán Blakey, APS & Career Academies

Join the New Mexico Society of Association Executives (NMSAE) for an exclusive Policy Forum with Dr. Gabriella Blakey, Superintendent of Albuquerque Public Schools (APS), to discuss the district’s bold new initiative: Career Academies. 

Beginning this fall, APS will launch Career Academies at Manzano, Cibola, and Highland High Schools—an innovative model that connects classroom learning with real-world career pathways. Every freshman at these schools will begin their high school journey by choosing a career-focused track designed to prepare them for success in college, the workforce, or both. The long-term vision is to scale this initiative across all major APS high schools. 

This Forum comes at a pivotal moment, as APS actively seeks input and collaboration from New Mexico’s business and association leaders to shape the future of workforce-connected learning. Career Academies represent more than curriculum reform—they are a direct invitation to industry partners to help reimagine public education and ensure that all students graduate with the skills, mindset, and opportunities they need to thrive. 

As New Mexico continues to confront challenges in educational attainment and workforce readiness, the time for associations and policymakers to align has never been more urgent.