Rio Rancho Journal

RRPS Official Joins UNM Council
By Elaine D. Briseño, Journal Staff Writer

An official with the Rio Rancho school district was invited to serve on a University of New Mexico council that raises money for and acts as an adviser to its architecture school.

Al Sena, Rio Rancho Public Schools executive director of facilities, has joined the UNM Dean’s Council for Design and Planning Excellence. Sena earned a bachelor’s and master’s from the UNM School of Architecture and Planning and said he is happy to give back to the school.

“It was a natural fit for me to come back,” he said. “Most folks are not in the position I am in right now, being in a public office.”

As RRPS’ facilities director, Sena is responsible for overseeing the construction, renovation and maintenance of all the district’s buildings and campuses. He also must come up with the district’s master plan, which outlines what schools RRPS will need in the future and when they will need them.

UNM spokeswoman Carolyn Gonzales said the council is a fundraising and advisory group for the school of architecture. She said Sena’s addition to the council is significant not only because he’s experienced with planning, but because it will help UNM build ties with Rio Rancho. The school intends to build a campus in the city, partnering with Central New Mexico Community College.

Gonzales said among Sena’s duties, he will act as an adviser to the school’s dean and possibly help raise funds as well. He will bring what he knows about constructing public buildings and their importance to the community to the table.

“He will act as an adviser to the dean on what’s important for these students to learn,” she said.

Roger Schluntz, dean of the UNM School of Architecture and Planning, said in a news release that members like Sena who are working as planners or architects can provide unique insight.

“Al’s work and success with Rio Rancho Public Schools, for example, is closely aligned to our broader interests in the planning and design of optimal learning environments,” he said.

Sena said he knew members of the council and was invited to an event with them and was able to learn about the council.

“One of things I liked is that the school is interested in improving students’ overall knowledge of architecture,” he said. “They have to make sure it (the building) does what the users need it to do and understand what the building means to the community as a whole.”


COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO
Van Gilbert, center, president of the University of New Mexico’s Dean’s Council for Design and Planning Excellence, presents a gift to Al Sena, Rio Rancho Public Schools’ facilities executive director. At left is Dean Roger Schluntz.