Sylvia Rodriguez Andrew has been named director of the University of New Mexico-Gallup campus, announced UNM Vice President Marc Nigliazzo. She assumes the role effective August 1.
Photo: Sylvia Rodriguez Andrew
Kate O’Neill, director, UNM-Taos, served as search committee chair. She said, “Dr. Andrew’s background and her particular skill set make her an especially good fit for the Gallup campus, as evident through her meetings with people there. She has a fine appreciation for diversity issues, an awareness of social and cultural issues as well as excellent interpersonal skills. I am happy we were able to find someone with her talents and abilities to take the Gallup campus to the next stage in its development.”
Andrew has served as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Antioch University Los Angeles since last year. In that capacity, she provides leadership and management of all educational programs and activities. She serves as the campus academic liaison officer, is administrative liaison to the Faculty Assembly and is responsible for institution-wide academic initiatives.
Prior, from 1994-2006, she served as dean and professor in the College of Social Work at San Jose State university.
The College of Social work included graduate and undergraduate social work programs, African American Studies, Mexican American Studies and Regional and Urban Planning. She was responsible for a $3 million budget and an additional $1.3 million in external funding. She established working relationships with surrounding human service organizations, developed innovative programs such as the off-campus Sonoma project to bring graduate social work education in response to regional needs.
In collaboration with San Jose State University undergraduate former foster youth social work students, she initiated a campus-wide discussion on the educational needs of youth aging out of the child welfare system. Plans included developing a program to offer junior and senior social work courses at the local community college.
Andrew has held interim leadership positions including serving as interim chancellor at San Jose/Evergreen Community College District; and acting president at Evergreen Community College.
Andrew’s social work experience includes serving as executive director of St. Peter St. Joseph’s Children’s home in the San Antonio area; serving as project director at Los Ninos, also in Texas; and as social services director at Crestview Retirement Center in College Station, Texas.
Andrew earned her law degree from Lincoln Law School in San Jose, Calif., in 2001; and her Ph.D. in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin in 1990. She is a member of the Federal Bar Association, is a licensed Child Care Administrator, licensed Master Social Worker, Clinical Social Worker, among other certifications.
Andrew is extensively published, including numerous articles, books and reports on substance abuse issues among Mexican Americans.
Andrew said, “The more I learned about UNM Gallup and the range of possible opportunities, the more excited I became about being a part of that vision.
Everyone recognizes we face challenges, but I believe that when we work together we can create an environment where all students can achieve their educational dreams. I was impressed with the potential of the Zuni campus and look forward to working with tribal leaders in assuming we provide quality and relevant educational programs. Both the campus and community were gracious and welcoming – I know they have high expectations, but I also know that they are ready to work with me to make UNM Gallup the place where dreams begin.”
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at May 26, 2009 03:06 PM