PERALTA NAMED DIRECTOR AT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT'S DIVERSITY PROGRAMS

July 25, 2003

PERALTA NAMED DIRECTOR AT ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT'S DIVERSITY PROGRAMS

Steve Peralta Steven Peralta has been named director of Diversity Programs in the UNM School of Engineering.

As director, Peralta will oversee the program's efforts to recruit and increase the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented and financially challenged students pursuing careers in engineering, computer science, mathematics and the physical sciences.

Peralta comes to UNM from Santa Fe Community College where he served as director of the computer and information technologies department. He was also an instructor in math, engineering and computer science.

Peralta says his primary goals are student recruitment, and to build a good relationship between the faculty and students. "I bring a background of engineering and the sciences to the job," Peralta said. "Because of this, I know what the faculty expects of the students. I want the students to trust us and know who we are."

Peralta graduated from UNM in electrical engineering and participated in the Minority Engineering Programs, which later became Diversity Programs.

The Diversity Programs, founded in 1989, provides counseling and advising, tutoring, mentoring, study groups, skills classes and scholarships. The program works with students from high school through graduate school.

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