The UNM Mentoring Conference is Wednesday, Oct. 22, through Friday, Oct. 24 in the UNM Student Union Building. The focus is fostering mentoring cultures in higher education through shared research and best practices. Faculty, staff, administrators, graduate and undergraduates, parents, teachers, community leaders and members of the community are invited to register.

• Learn from recognized experts in higher education mentoring
• Get tools you need to find or be an academic or career mentor
• Share and build on your ideas with peers and professionals

The deadline for regular registration is Tuesday, October 14. It will be possible to register at the door, but lunch will not be included with on‐site registration. Visit http://mentor.unm.edu/conference.html to learn more and to register now.

By Maria Probasco, president

UNM Parent Association

At the April 2008 UNM Board of Regents meeting, the board voted unanimously on a set of bylaws and memorandum of understanding making the Parent Association an official partner of the University and giving it a role in university governance.  Part of the mission and goals of the association is to keep parents connected and engaged with their students and the university to improve student success. 

I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the activities and initiatives of the past few months as we work to reach our goals:

Activities and Partnerships:

• Parents staffed tables promoting the Parent Association at spring Commencement.
• Parents developed UNM’s first “official” holiday ornament — a fundraising initiative.
• Parents spoke at Parent Orientations.
• Parents staffed tables and welcomed students and parents during Move in Week. 
• Parents and students staffed parent information tables during Freshman Family Day.
• Parents spoke at UNM’s first summer Parent Experience Program for parents of high school students
• Parents developed partnerships with the UNM Alumni Association, student groups, Engaging Latino Communities for Education (ENLACE), New Mexico GEAR‐UP and others.  
• Parents participated in Summer Send‐Offs for incoming freshmen and their families and recruited “club chairs” to begin Parent Clubs in Clovis, Gallup, Santa Fe, Farmington and Colorado Springs, CO.

Upcoming Events:

• You are cordially invited to an upcoming fundraising event at University House, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. The event is an opportunity to celebrate and support the new UNM Parent Association along with President and Mrs. David Schmidly, parents, university partners, community leaders and students. Enjoy good company and delicious food! $250 (per couple) supports the UNM Parent Fund for Excellence and is tax‐deductible to the extent allowed by law (benefit value is $25).  Please RSVP by calling Laurie Mellas at (505) 277‑5915 or email: parent@​unm.​edu.  I am looking forward to meeting you.  (more…)