The New Mexico (NM) higher education state attainment goal -- the Route to 66 -- has been a driving force for many of the initiatives undertaken in New Mexico. The New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED) works energetically and collaboratively with 31 public higher education institutions (HEIs) across the State. The HED also registers and licenses all private post-secondary schools in the state, which currently number 195. Through state-wide collaboration amongst all of NM's higher education institutions and vast stakeholders, significantly improved outcomes in higher education in the state are being realized. By choosing to focus on state-wide initiatives that can benefit all students, HED is committed to improving the success of New Mexico's students. In this annual report, executive summaries are provided for the following HED divisions: (1) Policy & Programs; (2) Legal; (3) Planning and Research; (4) Adult Education; (5) GEAR UP [Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs]; (6) Private and Postsecondary Schools; (7) Financial Aid; and (8) Institutional Finance and Capital Projects. [For the 2016 report, see ED572892.]