Luna Community College’s Free Adult Education Programs | Preferred Business Program

For adults who once stepped away from school, the idea of returning can feel intimidating. At Luna Community College, the Adult Education program offers a welcoming path back — one designed to meet students where they are and help them move confidently toward college credentials and career training.

Part of Luna’s Career and College Readiness Institute (CCRI), Adult Education serves students across the college’s service area, creating flexible pathways for those seeking a high school equivalency, stronger literacy skills or a supported transition into college programs or the workforce. The program is intentionally structured to reduce common barriers that keep adult learners from reengaging with education, while maintaining clear expectations and measurable progress.

At its core, Adult Education at Luna connects foundational learning with long-term educational and employment goals.

“Completing a High School Equivalency or improving basic literacy and math skills can only open more opportunities in an adult learner’s life,” said Kraig Bellows, Director of Adult Education at Luna Community College. “Many of our students get better jobs and pursue further education to improve their economic prospects.”

Multiple entry points for adult learners

Luna has three major program offerings: High School Equivalency, Adult Literacy and Integrated Education and Training.

For many students, High School Equivalency is the first step. While often referred to as the GED, Luna administers the HiSET exam, which serves the same purpose and is accepted by colleges and employers. With a HiSET testing center located on campus, students can complete both preparation and testing locally at no cost.

Adult Literacy courses are designed for students who want to strengthen foundational skills before moving on to equivalency testing or college coursework.

Current offerings include a basic reading and critical thinking class held twice weekly, along with English as a Second Language instruction. Beginning in Spring 2026, literacy instruction will also be offered at the San Miguel County Detention Center and the Samaritan House Homeless Shelter.

Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs bridge the gap between adult education and college enrollment, allowing students to work toward credentials while receiving additional academic support.

“IET programs allow students who have not finished their HSE to enter LCC degree or certificate programs, and provides basic literacy and numeracy support to all students in certain LCC degree or certificate programs,” Bellows explained.

Luna currently offers IET programs in EMT-Basic, Welding and Dental Assisting, with Culinary Arts scheduled to be added in Spring 2026.

Eligibility for Adult Education services is broad. Students must be at least 16 years old and not enrolled in a traditional K-12 school, with written parental permission required for those under 18. Approximately 120 students are currently receiving services across all Adult Education offerings.

Enrollment includes an intake process, benchmark testing and the creation of an individualized learning plan, with benchmark testing repeated every 40 hours of instruction to track progress.

Individualized support and student success

Beyond academics, Adult Education prioritizes support that reflects the realities adult learners face, including work schedules, family responsibilities and prior educational disruptions.

“We understand that everyone is coming to us in a different place in their educational journey,” Bellows said. “Everyone on our staff has had a non-traditional educational path and we try to operate free from judgement and shame.”

Funding through public grants allows the program to remove financial barriers that often prevent adults from returning to school, particularly for students balancing multiple responsibilities.

“We are entirely funded by grants from the state of New Mexico and the federal government, and all Adult Education programming is offered at no cost under state and federal statute,” Bellows said.

For many students, Adult Education becomes the launch point for continued academic and professional growth. That pathway is reflected in the experience of Victoria Garcia Montoya, who entered the program in 2021 at age 36.

Montoya returned to school during the COVID-19 pandemic while navigating personal challenges. She completed her High School Equivalency in July 2022, enrolled at Luna as a Business student, joined student government and later worked as a tutor and mentor within Adult Education.

In May 2025, she completed her college degrees and now serves as Administrative Assistant II and Data Clerk with CCRI Adult Education while continuing her studies in Culinary Arts.

“CCRI Adult Education has not only helped me find a way, it has changed my life and given me a purpose to move forward, opening my eyes to a variety of career life goals,” Montoya said.

Now balancing work, education and future planning, Montoya sees her return to school as a defining turning point.

“Keep in mind, this journey is not just possible but a powerful investment in your future self,” Montoya said.

Adult Education staff encourage community members interested in earning a high school equivalency, strengthening literacy skills or exploring college and workforce training to contact the department at 505-454-5307, stop by the Adult Education office in the Media Education Center on Luna’s campus or visit luna.edu/abe.

Luna Community College is part of the Las Vegas Optic Preferred Business sponsored content program.