The Provost Committee for Staff (PCS) announced the recipients for the Fall 2006 Provost’s Scholarship awards at a reception recently. Crystal Pino, Elsie Baldwin and Brenda Yazzie, were each awarded a scholarship designed to support UNM employees by defraying costs of academic books, course fees and supplies.
Crystal Pino
Working full time for the UNM Physical Plant as an administrative assistant, Crystal Pino is also full time student. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and plans to remain here after graduation and teach for the Albuquerque Public Schools. As a single mother, Pino has remained focused on her goal, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.7. She was born and raised in Albuquerque.
Elsie Baldwin
Elsie Baldwin is enrolled in classes at UNM’s Gallup Branch and is pursuing an associate’s in Applied Science degree in entrepreneurism, hospitality and tourism due to her interest in tribal gaming. She is active in numerous committees such as Staff Council, Professional Cultural and Development committee and Facilities Committee. Baldwin works full time as an administrative assistant in the Public Relations office. She is a graduate of UNM’s Management Academy.
“The scholarship has helped mainly with course supplies and transportation costs,” said Baldwin, who commutes an hour each way from her home in Wide Ruins, Az. “It
Brenda Yazzie
Brenda Yazzie is currently working towards obtaining a Bachelor of University Studies with a focus on Native American psychological studies at UNM’s Gallup Branch. She plans on becoming an alcohol and substance counselor working with the Native American population. Yazzie, a full time employee, works in Arts and Letters Department as an administrative assistant and works part time as a DWI counselor. She is a mother of five and grandmother of three.
“I work full-time but the scholarship helps me to pay off balance of my tuition and also for books, and I still support my family including five children and three grandchildren,” said Yazzie.
Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu