Contact:

Yvonne Peña, 277-3361

January 23, 2002

UNM STUDENT AFFAIRS SPECIALIST RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

Yvonne Peña, student affairs specialist within the Dean of Students at the University of New Mexico, recently received the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region IV-West Outstanding New Professional award.

The award is presented to the individual who has been in the profession less than five years, is a NASPA member, and has made significant contributions to his or her campus, the regional organization and the profession.

NASPA provides professional development, promotes exemplary practices, and is a leader in policy development. NASPA helps senior student affairs officers and administrators, student affairs professionals, faculty and other educators enhance student learning and development.

“Anytime, a member of our team in the Dean of Students Office receives an award, we all take part in the celebration,” Peña said. “While my name might be on the plaque, I know there is no way I could have done it without the support of my co-workers.”

Peña is the NASPA Region IV-West chair for women in student affairs and is an intern for Division of Student Affairs, Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs at UNM. She is a committee member of speakers for the 2003 National NASPA Conference and is the chapter advisor for Lambda Theta Phi, Latino Fraternity Inc. During 2000-2001 she served as Young Alumni chair and in 2000 and 2001 she was a member of the UNM homecoming planning committee. Peña was awarded the 1999-2000 Texas A&M University’s Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award and has received UNM’s Alumni Citizenship Award.

She received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Journalism at UNM and her Master of Science in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education, Texas A&M University.

Peña said she had quite a few mentors that helped her along the way while she was working on her undergraduate degree at UNM.

“The people I work with are more than my colleagues, they are my family. So when I received this award, it meant a great deal to me because I felt I had earned the respect of others,” she said. “It is also a great honor to receive this award because I have been affiliated with this organization since I was an undergrad, had it not been for NASPA and my mentors, I don’t think I would have ever been introduced to the world of student affairs.”

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The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981