Meet New Admission Director Juaquin Moya
At Albuquerque Academy, we know education is more than a stepping stone; it’s a lifelong journey. This sentiment rings especially true for Juaquin Moya, the Academy’s new director of admission and enrollment management, whose passion for education is deeply intertwined with his roots in our state. “I’m from New Mexico, I’m rooted here and deeply passionate about seeing New Mexico be successful,” he says. “Education is my core value, and I truly believe in independent education.”
An independent school graduate himself, Juaquin understands the transformative power such an opportunity holds. “Independent education changed my life,” he says. He got his first taste of admission work at Wesleyan University in Connecticut, where he was selected as a senior interviewer. This experience solidified his interest in admission practices, which eventually led him to Occidental College and later to college counseling.
In 2014, Juaquin founded Horizons Albuquerque, a summer enrichment program dedicated to helping underserved New Mexico youth stay in school. “It was about changing the statistics of dropout and graduation rates in New Mexico,” he explains. Ten years later, Horizons Albuquerque, which serves approximately 200 students, has seen impressive success with a near 90% retention rate, demonstrating the program’s long-term impact on the community.
Following his time as vice president of philanthropic advising at the Albuquerque Community Foundation, where he introduced the Notable New Mexicans in Philanthropy series, Juaquin returned to the educational field, joining Albuquerque Academy’s college guidance office before transitioning to the role of director of admission and enrollment management. Here at the Academy, he feels at home in a community that truly embodies diversity, equity, and inclusivity. “Being back in education, especially in a community that lives what they say, gives me hope.”
As leader of the admission team, Juaquin is dedicated to making the application process a learning journey for families. His goal is to help students and their families gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their educational goals, ensuring that every applicant feels supported. “Applying to an independent school is a holistic process,” he says, emphasizing that Albuquerque Academy is not just an academic institution but a community where students with both talent and character can thrive.
Juaquin says he is excited about using this role to highlight the Academy’s unique programs and to ensure that the institution remains accessible to all families, regardless of background. “Education and access matter to me,” he affirms, and it’s clear that his work will continue to have a lasting impact on the students and families he serves.
Click here to learn more about the admission process and submit an application for Fall 2025.
