All
the president's people
Staff on
frontline
By Michael
Padilla
It takes
a village to raise a child. At UNM it takes an office to support
a president.
President
Gordons office, which consists of seven employees, may
not seem like a big staff but their work is enormous.
The staff coordinates appointments, keeps track of the presidents
activities, responds to inquiries and serves as liaisons.
They are on
the frontline of the most important office on campus.
 |
| From
left: Breton-Jojola, Carver, Martin, Bojorquez, Maestas
and Nieri. Photo by Michael Padilla. |
The
staff consists of Ricardo Maestas, executive affairs officer,
Barbara Carver, assistant to the president, Patrice Martin,
executive administrative assistant to the president, Norma Jean
Bojorquez, administrative assistant II, Liliana Breton-Jojola,
administrative assistant II, and Robert Nieri, accountant I.
The newest member of the team, Roberto A. Ibarra, serves as
special assistant to the president for diversity initiatives.
Maestas
serves as an advisor to the president (see
accompanying story).
Carver,
who serves as office manager, handles high level University
searches and is currently working on the search for the Office
of Equal Opportunity director. She writes for the president
and is in charge of special projects.
Martin
handles the presidents schedule and is the official record
keeper for the Board of Regents.
Bojorquez
is the point person for University House. She gives out information
to the community and is a meet and greet person for the office.
Breta-Jojola
is also a meet and greet person and works closely with Ibarra.
Nieri is
responsible for the accounting for both the Presidents
Office and for the Office of Advancement.
Ibarra
directs and coordinates UNMs strategic diversity initiatives.
In addition, Scott Alley from Communications & Marketing
assists the president and Mrs. Gordon with special events. Lorraine
Gutierrez is the University House assistant.
Carver
says the office staff plays an important role at UNM.
Many people dont realize all the behind scenes communication
and coordinating we do, Carver says. A lot of issues
that are very important to people both on and off campus come
through this office and its our responsibility to see
they are attended to.