Albuquerque City Councilor Nichole L. Rogers Selected for National 2026 Champions Institute
Councilor Rogers joins a select group of elected officials from across the country chosen to develop advanced skills in creating healthy, resilient, and equitable neighborhoods.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Today, Smart Growth America annonced the selection of their 2026 cohort of the Champions Institute, a flagship initiative of Smart Growth America (SGA). Councilor Nichole L. Rogers joins a select group of local elected officials from across the country chosen to develop advanced skills in creating healthy, resilient, and equitable neighborhoods.
The Champions Institute is a comprehensive technical assistance program that equips local leaders to advocate for, implement, and develop smart growth strategies. The training includes the Institute’s "Complete Streets" approach to planning, designing, and building streets that create safe access for all road users. Councilor Rogers and her fellow participants will engage in six virtual sessions with national experts to address disparities in housing and transportation access. The program culminates in the development of a community-specific action plan designed to solve immediate local needs.
For Councilor Rogers, the selection represents a direct extension of her ongoing work in Council District 6, which encompasses the International District, Nob Hill, and the University of New Mexico area.
“My priority has always been building a District 6 where every neighbor can see and feel progress in their daily lives, whether that means safer streets, more opportunity, or housing people can actually afford,” said Councilor Nichole L. Rogers. “The values of the Champions Institute, health, resilience, and equity mirror the work we’re doing right here in Albuquerque, from revitalizing the Central Avenue corridor to advancing a 300-unit housing initiative. I’m excited to bring these national best practices back home so we can continue building a city where growth benefits every neighborhood, regardless of zip code.”
The Institute’s curriculum and District 6 goals alignment is clear:
- Healthy & Resilient Neighborhoods: The training focuses on creating environments that promote physical activity and climate resilience, mirroring the Councilor’s focus on green housing and traffic calming.
- Addressing Disparities: District 6 is home to some of the city's most diverse yet underserved populations. The Institute’s focus on equity will bolster the Councilor’s efforts to bridge the gap in housing and transportation resources.
- Action-Oriented Results: The Councilor will use the knowledge gained to move projects from vision to tangible infrastructure for the safety of all road users - pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and transit riders of all ages and abilities.
Smart Growth America’s 2026 cohort includes 14 legislators, councilors, and tribal Leaders dedicated to building towns and cities where people of all ages, races, and incomes can thrive.
For more information on Councilor Rogers’ District 6 initiatives, visit cabq.gov/council. To learn more about the Champions Institute, see the national announcement or visit Smart Growth America website.