Monthly Message from the Vice President
I would like to start by welcoming some new members of the Office of Student Affairs staff. Francisco Certain joins our office as our new administrative assistant replacing Kathyrn Thornberry who retired in March. Francisco comes to us from Univision Network in Miami where he worked as the office manager.
Also joining Tenille Cleaves as student fellows in the Office of Student Affairs are Jacquelyn Walker and Brenda Loya. In addition to serving as student fellows, Jacque is currently employed in the American Indian Student Services, while Brenda is in pursuit of being the first in her family to earn a university degree and apply for medical school.
Rosa Isela Cervantes also joins the team as the Programs Operations Director, College Enrichment and Ourtreach Programs. Rosa comes to us from El Centro de la Raza where she served most recently as a Student Program Specialist. (see Spotlight article on Rosa below).
Please join me in welcoming each new member of our team. It’s once again time for the Division of Student Affairs Annual Recognition Reception. This year’s event “The Louies” will be held on Wednesday, April 9 in the SUB Lobo Rooms A&B and promises to be fun! I would like to thank all of our Student Affairs fellows, as well as Natalie Brigance and Dorene Leninger for helping to ensure the success of the event. If you haven’t done so already, please make sure to RSVP by April 2, space is limited!
I would like to commend Dr. Juan Pineada and his staff for organizing the 4th Annual Symposium for Administrators from Mexico, Latin America and Spain from April 16-18. This two-day event promotes UNM in many academic areas as well as supports services geared at Latin American students. Additionally, Dr. Pineada will be hosting approximately 20 students from Mexico for a three-week program focusing on Communication and Journalism and Graphic Design during the week, and cultural trips around New Mexico on the weekends.
The Division continues to plan for the upcoming “Unidos en Nuestra Lucha: Leaving a Legacy for Future Generations,” a Latino higher education national policy summit to be held at UNM June 5-7. This is an exciting event which will feature leadership from New Mexico, Arizona and Texas to collaborate on recommendations to be translated into strategic policy statements that will be disseminated and presented for implementation nationally. Special thanks to our fellows, Natalie Brigance and Dorene Leninger for their continued work on this important Summit. Log on to http://latinosummit.unm.edu/ for the latest information.
Plans to either renovate or re-create Johnson Center are still being looked at, and I continue to meet with Steve Beffort, VP for Institutional Support Services, on a monthly basis to make this project a reality. A request for proposals is already in the works for this project and preliminary plans are being looked at. As part of the Student Life Master Plan, the Division is in the process of planning the expansion of the Children’s Campus to meet the growing demands of child care for UNM students, staff and faculty. The process will continue to move along in the coming months.
Finally, I recently attended the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) annual conference in Boston. I was impressed at the large number of UNM representatives present at the conference.
Among those representatives were Alex and Andrew Gonzales who served as presenters during the immigration sessions. As a result of their participation, they have been invited to co-author an article for a division of NASPA, (National Association of Student Personnel Administrators). Congratulations!
Hope you enjoy this month's edition of the Update!
~Cheo
Spotlight on Rosa Isela Cervantes
As the new Program Operations Director in the College Enrichment and Outreach Programs Department, Rosa Isela Cervantes is excited to be in a position where she feels she can make a difference and create partnerships across the community and throughout the state.
Cervantes is coming off of a 15 ½ year stint at El Centro de la Raza where she served in various capacities and watched the program grow from the ground up. “I started as a staff member in 1999, but worked in a work study position even before that,” she recalls.
When asked why she decided to apply for the outreach director position, Cervantes says that she’s always up for a challenge.
“I was definitely in a comfort zone at El Centro and felt like I was always pushing kids to excel, yet not pushing myself,” she says.
“I had a great support system over there that kept telling me, ‘you’re director material.’”
In her new position, Cervantes will be responsible for overseeing programs including among others: High School Equivalency Program (HEP), Educational Opportunity Center (EOC), Upward Bound and Natural High.
“I have often questioned what’s going on in the K-12 system in our state,” she says. “There seems to be a disconnect regarding higher education information for our kids.”
And, although in her new position, Cervantes will have the potential to touch many young lives, she manages to herself grounded. “If I can help just one student with their higher education goals, I’ve made a huge difference.”
Please stop by her office at 1921 Las Lomas NE, to get more information regarding any of the outreach programs or visit their website at:http://specialprograms.unm.edu/new/index.html
Two UNM Scholars Present at the Annual National Research Conference in Maryland
By: Rosalina Trujillo, Sr. Student Program Advisor
Two UNM scholars, Antonio Barreras, from the Research Opportunity Program and Angelina Gonzalez-Aller, from the McNair Achievement Program presented their research to other scholars, faculty, and staff from across the nation at the National McNair Reserach Conference in College Park, MD on March 12.
Antonio, a Criminology major, mentored by Dr. Sarah Lathrop, gave an oral presentation on Suicide Among the Elderly in New Mexico. Angelina Gonzalez, Political Science major, mentored by Dr. Michael Rocca, gave an oral presentation on Latinos and Descriptive Representation in the State Legislature. While in Maryland, the scholars took advantage of the opportunity to visit prospective graduate schools in the Washington, DC metro area.
Antonio Barreras Angelina Gonzalez-Aller
April is a Busy Month for AISS
Sidekicks James & Ernie Comedy Show
The American Indian Student Services (AISS) Sidekicks Mentorship Program and Student Special Events are co-sponsoring the James & Ernie Comedy Show on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 7:00 PM in the UNM-SUB Ballrooms and admission is FREE! The AISS Sidekick Teams will be fundraising at this spectacular event and all proceeds will be used for Sidekicks community service activities. The 44 Sidekicks students would like to extend a special invitation to all Student Affairs Professionals to support this important initiative.
James Junes and Ernest Tsosie III are “James & Ernie” Native American comedy duo from the Navajo Nation. James and Ernie are the first ever Navajo comedy duo. They have been climbing the comedy ladder entertaining audiences around the Southwest, and are now breaking into the national scene. The duo’s comedy performance is a mixture of reservation humor, stand up comedy, sketch comedy, and musical parodies of life in the 70’s, 80’s, to the now. Along with their sidesplitting comedy, the pair delivers a positive message promoting healthy life style choices of wellness, fitness, and saying no to drugs, alcohol and domestic abuse.
American Indian Junior Day
American Indian Student Services and the Office of Admissions & Recruitment Services are hosting the 2008 American Indian Junior Day (AIJD) on Tuesday, April 22 from 9:00-1:30 pm at the University of New Mexico Main Campus. The program is designed to provide Native students who are juniors in high school an opportunity to visit UNM’s campus, learn about the next steps to attend college, and leave motivated to pursue higher education. Participants will be involved in college admission, financial aid, scholarship, ACT/SAT Preparation, and Senior curriculum planning Workshops as well as a Resource Hunt designed to showcase the many UNM Departments that promote student excellence. The AIJD Planning Committee is currently seeking volunteers. Please contact Tammy James-Pino at typino5@unm.edu or 277-8260 for more information.
AISS Faculty & Staff Recognition
UNM Native students will honor faculty & staff who have positively impacted their college experience during a luncheon reception on Thursday, April 24th. The luncheon, sponsored by American Indian Student Services, is expected to be a success with students sharing personal reflections and experiences with their nominees. For more information about the nomination process or luncheon details, please contact American Indian Student Services at 277-6343.
Recreational Services Enjoys a Fun Winter
Thanks to all the snowfall, Getaway Adventures had a busy winter and was able to host several snowshoe hikes and ski trips without any worry of a drought!
The lady Lobo volleyball team joined Recreational Services
on one of their Santa Fe outings.
Winter events included a full moon snowshoe hike and a ski trip to Wolf Creek for the Office of International Programs. Although it was a great season for fun in the snow, Recreational Services shifted gears and had an excellent spring break trip in the Gila Wilderness and that was only the beginning.
Upcoming spring trips include rock-climbing, scuba diving and fly-fishing. The run off from the snow pack promises to be phenomenal this year and we are planning a whitewater rafting trip at the end of May. Stay tuned for more information on that exciting event and sign up for the rest of our spring adventures!
The Outdoor/Bike Shop will hold an Alternative Transportation Day Fair on the Cornell Mall in front of the SUB on April 22, from 10:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come over to get a free bike inspection (first come first serve) and enter our raffle for your chance to win an ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY bike cleaning kit at our 1:45 p.m. drawing.
Additionally, the Outdoor/Bike Shop is looking into becoming environmentally conscience by purchasing solvents which are harmless to the environment and implementing a recycling bike tube program. Come to the fair and let us know what your interests are.
To learn more about Recreational Services activities, programs or services call our office at 277-0178 or go on-line and check out our website at recservices.unm.edu.
Office of International Programs
The Office of International Programs and Studies (OIPS) will host Ms. Olga Gutak, Head of International Relations at the Siberian State Industrial University, beginning on March 24. Ms. Gutak will be spending a month working at the OIPS office as part of a new Fulbright initiative called the Russian International Educators program. She will be incorporated into office routines and introduced widely throughout the university to become familiar with American university operations. University staff will also help familiarize her with New Mexico and the broader Albuquerque community. Please join us in welcoming Ms. Gutak to campus.
Please make plans to join OIPS for the UNM International Festival on April 10 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. outside on the East side of the SUB. This annual festival features food, crafts and performances from all over the world, ranging from Middle Eastern belly dancing to traditional African drums. The festival generates great energy, rhythm and color by bringing the world closer to the UNM community.
April Career Services Events
Career Services presents the Educator’s Job Fair scheduled April 23, 2:00 to 6:00 pm in the UNM Student Union Building Ballroom. The Educator’s Job Fair is open to UNM students, alumni as well as community members who are interested in education related jobs and careers. Recruiters from New Mexico, as well as many other areas of the nation, will be attending this event. Professional interview attire and preparation (i.e. Resumes) are expected! Participants can go to Career Services’ web site at www.career.unm.edu and review a complete list of registered organizations.
Coinciding with the Educator’s Job Fair is Resume Rescue.
Resume Rescue takes place before a career fair and during these days students can come by Career Services, and on a walk-in basis, meet with a Career Development Facilitator to create or update a resume and/or ask any questions related to the career fair. Resume Rescue dates are scheduled for Friday, April 18th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Monday, April 21st from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Career Services will also be conducting a How to Work a Career Fair Workshop Thursday, April 17, 4:30 to 6:00 pm in Career Services’ Office. Topics will include general job search processes, career fairs, resumes and interviews, as well as any questions or topics asked by the workshop group.
Student Health Center News
Chair Massage @ SHC for Students, Staff & Faculty
Be gone aching shoulders, aching back, and muscle tension! The SHC is now offering 15-minute and 30-minute chair massage. The cost is $10 for 15 minutes and $20 for 30 minutes. For information on payment and sign-up, visit http://www.unm.edu/~shc1/massage.html. (Click on “Chair Massage.”) On the Massage web page, you’ll also find information about the cost for a one-hour body massage. To schedule a one-hour massage appointment, call the SHC Reception Area at 277-3136. For additional information on the SHC Massage Therapy Services, call 277-7947. Massage Therapy Services is located on the second floor of the Student Health Center, rooms 210 and 214A.
Sexual Assault Awareness Day, April 9
Alcohol use is often a contributing factor to sexual assault. CollegeDrinkingPrevention.gov states that “more than 100,000 students aged 18-24 years annually report having been too intoxicated to know if they have consented to sex.” Take care, be aware! Learn how to prevent this from happening to you. SHC Peer Educators will table from 10 am to 1 pm at Zimmerman Plaza on Wednesday, April 9. Come by for information, free condoms, prize drawings, and more! This campus event is sponsored by the SHC Health Education and Prevention Department. For information, contact the Event Coordinator, Eileen, at 277-8563 or iluv2bcookin@yahoo.com. Promo Flyer: http://www.unm.edu/~shc1/SexualAssaultAwareDay08.pdf.
Mental Health Day, April 23
About one in four adults suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder. Would you like to learn more about your emotional, mental, physical, and sexual health? Join the SHC Peer Educators from 10 am to 1 pm on the SUB Plaza (East of the SUB) on Wednesday, April 23. They will offer information, free prize drawings, free condoms, and free meetings with SHC Peer Consultants. For more information, contact Christine, Event Coordinator, at 277-8563 or ctally1@unm.edu. Promotional flyer: http://www.unm.edu/~shc1/MentalHealthDay08.pdf.
UNM Accessibility Services Spotlight on Ivan Lopez
By George Williams
Ivan Lopez, who happens to be blind, sits and talks about his journey as a graduate student at the University of New Mexico.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What is your major?
I am the youngest of seven children. Both of my parents are Hispanic. My father has an associate degree in accounting and is retired. He currently teaches art to children. My mother is a stay at home mom. I completed a BA in Communication Studies with minors in Business Management and Marketing from New Mexico State University.
What inspired you to earn a degree and to attend the University of New Mexico?
I was thinking about my motivation, what drives me. I considered pursuing a Masters in Business Administration. Since I was not motivated to work in the private sector, I decided to move to the public sector and pursue a Masters in Public Administration instead, and this is why I became interested in the School of Public Administration at UNM.
Tell us about something you're involved at UNM. How has it influenced your experience as a graduate at UNM?
I attend the meetings of the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) and Project for New Mexico Graduates of Color (PNMGC). These organizations have provided me the opportunity to interact with graduate students who are outside my department, as well as provided me the opportunity to understand funding that can further help me with my goals as a graduate student at UNM.
What skill do you think is most important to do your job well? Where did you learn this skill?
There are two skills I would like to mention. One of them has to do with my technical understanding of concepts discussed in courses I have taken and the other skill has to do with my interpersonal skills. To varying degrees, the interactions I have had with faculty, staff, and students at UNM has continually helped me with both my understanding of concepts and how they apply to real world situations and my interactions with people has helped me with my interpersonal skills.
Do you have a mentor? If so, who is he/she and how has he/she helped you?
I have two mentors. One of them is Carlos Nagel; he owns a consulting firm based out of Tucson Arizona. Carlos coached me in areas of developing, conducting, and evaluating workshops and seminars. Carlos began this process when I started giving presentations on the subject of student retention through undergraduate mentoring during my stay at New Mexico State University. The second mentor is Jim Omvig, who is a retired lawyer and an active member with the National Federation of the Blind. Because Jim had to deal with his own blindness through both his undergraduate and graduate education, he was and still is a grate resource when it comes to my postsecondary needs as a blind student. Both Carlos and Jim have kept track of my personal and vocational development for more then ten years. They provide good listening habits and good insight. They help me process things without giving me the answers to the issues I am dealing with at the time.
What's your favorite spot on campus and why?
I have three homes not counting my apartment. In no particular order they are: Zimmerman Library, Accessibility Services, and the Satellite Café. What they all have in common is a useful friendly working staff. David Hertzal and all the reference librarians at Zimmerman Library have been very useful in helping me with getting familiar with databases and with helping me with inner-library loans. Joan Green and her staff at Accessibility Services have been extremely useful when it comes to converting the reading materials I use into an accessible format. If I get tired of being on campus I walk down to Satellite Café and work on my assignments there.
Who's your favorite professor and why?
I don’t have a favorite professor but I do have a favorite type of professor. The short and accurate response to your question is that I view instructors who have the technical knowledge, who have a good command of the pedagogy they use in their courses, and who are accessible to students favorably. I think Dr. Zane Reeves, from the School of Public Administration is a good example of these three criteria. I like this professor because he knows his topic very well, he manages the content of his courses realistically, and I learned from his courses. Though I have not personally spent time talking with Dr. Reeves and other faculty in my graduate college, I notice that Dr. Reeves and the other faculty at the School of Public Administration have close relationships with the students they teach.
Tell us about a great experience or opportunity you've had here at UNM? What have you learned (or are learning) that's made a difference to you?
UNM has provided me with many opportunities to present in front of large audiences. This opportunity has forced me to fine-tune my abilities to develop presentation materials, carry out presentations, and evaluate the outcomes of such presentations. The feedback I have received from the participants who attended my presentations has greatly helped me with my goals at improving my presentation skills in the subject of undergraduate student success and retention in public higher education.
What has been one of your greatest challenges here at UNM?
Finding part-time employment has been difficult to do during my stay at UNM. Though I have been successful at receiving full-time job offers outside of UNM, my schooling does not allow me to work full-time without significantly affecting the time I dedicate to my studies. For me it is very important to keep working as a student, even if it’s part-time. However, I will not go as far as saying I will work full-time. My education is a full-time job given the dedication I give to it.
What are your goals after you graduate from UNM?
I am targeting teaching jobs in the field of communication studies within community colleges and also targeting jobs associated with student retention and success in higher education.
What suggestions do you have for incoming students with disabilities?
Work persistently on academic, personal, or interpersonal weaknesses you may encounter throughout your experience as a student. For example, if you struggle with your writing skills, use the Center for Academic Support (CAPS); their staff can provide very useful suggestions concerning your writing skills. CAPS also provides other types of tutoring such as math and biology.
Use academic resources to your advantage. It is also not uncommon to experience stress, anxiety, and other unfavorable emotions while being a student do to financial or other life circumstances.
Seek ways to overcome procrastination. Sometimes procrastination can be affiliated with anxiety or life stressors. If you procrastinate and are successful as a student, this is more likely a result of circumstance than of proper planning and action. If you have a problem that is troubling you as a student try to see if the university has resources to help you with this problem. UNM has many services that are targeted to help students anywhere from student health, to academic support, to financial aid.
Learn to be assertive in your needs as a student, but remember not to be overly aggressive. Faculty and staff will not always have experience with dealing with students with disabilities. Talk with the Accessibility Services Director concerning issues that may be hindering your success as a student. Be solution orientated. Many times it is easier to spend time fussing over the problem you’re facing as a student, but you will find that you will be more practical to your problems if you focus on being open-minded, practice listening to the other person, and focus on the solution.
Get as much experience through volunteerism, internships, or employment. UNM has the career services office which can help students anywhere from crafting a resume and cover letter, to providing career interest assessments, to conducting mock interviews. If the ultimate goal in your education is to obtain employment, the career services office is a grate resource to work throughout your student career at UNM.
Finally, be realistic in your goals. Make sure you balance aspects of life in such ways that they do not affect your intellectual development and academic performance. Related to this topic, it is also easy to get caught up on all the seriousness and turmoil that higher education can present to a student. For this reason, it will be important for you to discover healthy ways of coping with such stressors and that can further help you build positive learning experiences at UNM.
