CHESS Member Colleges Reach Pivotal Moment

Through the Collaborative for Higher Education Shared Services (CHESS), six New Mexico colleges are transforming the way we serve nearly 48,000 students statewide. With the implementation of Workday Student, the final phase of our systems modernization, we will unlock new efficiencies and empower staff to focus on what matters most: helping students persist, complete their degrees, and prepare for meaningful careers.

This initiative is more than a technology upgrade—it’s a game changer for both rural and urban campuses. It expands access to shared courses, data-driven insights, recruiting capacity, and functional expertise that smaller colleges could never afford on their own.

At-a-Glance:

CHESS Impact & Request

  • Total Project Costs: $105,250,000
  • College Contributions: $53,000,000 (Approximately 50%)

Current Impact

  • Modernized finance, budget, payroll, and HCM systems already in use
  • Staff now freed to focus on student support and success
  • Enhanced recruiting, financial aid processing, and data reporting—especially for small and rural colleges

Student System Benefits

  • Easier admissions and registration
  • Access to a broader marketplace of shared courses
  • Improved retention and completion rates

Final Funding Request

  • $19 million (non-recurring) to complete the project
  • Supports dual systems operations, project staffing and staff backfills, shared services expansion, and increased federal financial aid processing
  • Directly impacts ~48,000 students

A Smart Investment in New Mexico’s Future

By completing this final phase, New Mexico will secure a modern, student-centered collaborative that delivers on the state’s commitment to equity, efficiency, and workforce readiness. The return on investment will be measured in:

  • Higher retention and completion rates
  • Expanded opportunities for students in all communities
  • Stronger alignment between higher education and economic needs

This $19 million request will have a lasting impact on New Mexico’s colleges, our students, and the future of our workforce.