UNM’s Alumni Association and Parent Association are partnering to host “Summer Sendoffs” Saturday, Aug. 1, in six New Mexico cities and towns and at one location in Colorado.

Designed to celebrate freshman acceptance to UNM for the fall semester, Summer Sendoffs will be held in Las Cruces, Roswell, Clovis, Farmington, Santa Fe, Gallup and Colorado Springs.

New UNM students and parents will have an opportunity to meet families in their area and mingle with experienced UNM representatives, alumni, parents and students who can serve as a support network back home and on campus. Each student receives a gift. Door prizes and refreshments are also part of the festivities.

Registration by Monday, July 27, is required for the free event. To RSVP and for more information on the event time and location, visit http://www.unmalumni.com/. (more…)

One of the goals of the new UNM Parent Association is to establish UNM Parent Clubs throughout New Mexico and across the country to allow parents to connect with other families of UNM students in their areas. 

Whether students attend the UNM main campus, a branch campus, or a bachelor and graduate education center around the state through the Distance Education programs, parents should know that their student has a great support network to help them succeed.

UNM Mom Marilee Petranovich, grants coordinator at UNM‐Gallup, is launching a Parent Club in the Gallup greater area. She is from Gallup but as the daughter of a Public Health Service dentist moved around the country during childhood.

“We lived everywhere from Baltimore, Maryland,to Mt. Edgecumbe, Alaska, and many places in between,” she shared.

Petranovich graduated from Gallup High School and then UNM main in 1984. She returned to Gallup when she and husband Steve, also a Gallup native, planned to marry. Steve, also a UNM graduate, is a private practice CPA.

“My husband and I like to joke that we ‘bleed Lobo red.’ Between both of us graduating from UNM, my work with UNM, Steve’s position on the Board of Directors for the UNM Foundation, as well as us having two happy UNM students, we have a very strong bond with this institution,” she shared. “We love to share this passion with other parents who already have students at the University, or who might be considering UNM as an option. Go Lobos!!”

The couple’s oldest son Sean graduated from UNM this year with dual degrees in economics and philosophy. He will continue on in the fall at the university pursuing master’s degrees in both fields. Daughter Kaitlin has completed freshman year as a member of the new combined BA/MD program. Youngest daughter Colleen will be a senior at Gallup High School in the fall. (more…)

Join us for the Parent Connection Workshop “From Facebook to Checkbook: What Every Parent Needs to Know about Information Security in a Digital Age,” featuring UNM Information Assurance Director Michael Carr. The event is on Wednesday, June 3, from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Dean of Students Conference Room, second floor of the Student Services Center, main campus. Check‐in begins at 5:30 p.m. - meet and mingle with members of the Parent Assocation!

Carr will discuss dangers and pitfalls students face when sharing information online. Topics to be covered include identity theft, problems with networking online and what can parents do to help students stay safe and informed.

The series is sponsored by UNM’s Dean of Students’ Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office and Parent Association and Extended University. Parking is $1.75 per hour in the Cornell Parking Struture near Central and Cornell NE. To get to the Student Services Center (SSC) from the Cornell Parking Structure walk north on Cornell Mall. Pass by Popejoy Hall and the Student Union (SUB). At the SUB’s north end, go east to the SSC.

To view taped editions of past workshops, visit our workshop information and archive page.

The UNM Parent Association is accepting applications for its first scholarship awards. Deadline to apply is June 1, 2009. 

Scholarships totaling $3,500 will be awarded for the 2009 – 10 academic year to support the success of currently enrolled UNM students. Applicants will be ranked based on financial need and academic achievement. Additional consideration will also be given to first‐generation students. (more…)

Now more than ever education is key. UNM’s Parent Connection Workshop, for adult learners, parents and family members who need to retool, is Wednesday, May 6, from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Dean of Students’ Conference Room, rm. 290, Student Services Building, main campus.

The presentation will include information on earning undergraduate and graduate degrees, online courses and continuing education.

Presenters include Mary Jane Heinrichs, associate director, graduate school recruitment and admissions; Debby Knotts, director of UNM New Media & Extended Learning (online programs) and representatives from undergraduate school admissions and UNM Continuing Education.

Parent Connection Workshops are held the first Wednesday of each month. The series is sponsored by UNM’s Dean of Students’ Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office, Parent Association and Extended University. Check‐in begins at 5:30 p.m. Parent Association members are on hand to visit with you about their experiences.

Parking is free in the “patient parking” on the north side of Mesa Vista Hall after 5 p.m. or for $1.75 per hour in the Cornell Parking Struture near Central and Cornell NE. To get to the Student Services Center (SSC) from the Cornell Parking Structure walk north on Cornell Mall. Pass by Popejoy Hall and the Student Union (SUB). At the SUB’s north end, go east to the SSC.

No fooling, the UNM Parent Connection Workshop Wednesday, April 1, is focused on getting your student a job and on the path to a meaningful career.

Students will get ahead of the Lobo pack by gaining professional experience during the college years. UNM Career Services expert Marty Apodaca will talk to families about ways students can explore interests that may lead to a college major. He will also discuss how to find summer internships, co‐ops, and employment opportunities, and how to land a “real” job after graduation. (more…)

UNM’s Parent Association is hosting the first “Parent Day at the Pit” Saturday, Feb. 21. A pre‐game reception and discount tickets for parents provide students with an opportunity to spend time with family while supporting the Lobos. 

The Association is hosting a pre‐game reception from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the President’s Pavilion, a premiere facility located east of the Pit at University Stadium.

The reception includes a light menu and refreshments, an appearance by Lobo Louie and Lucy and more. Tickets are $5 at the door; pre‐registration is required. Proceeds from a silent auction will benefit the Association’s scholarship fund. Sodexo, caterer to the UNM Lobos, is a proud sponsor of the reception.

Students may purchase up to three $10 discount game tickets at the Pit ticket office for their guests/parents/family members.

Space is limited for the reception. Register here.

UNM’s second in a series of free Parent Connection Workshops is Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 6 – 7 p.m. and focuses on a topic close to our hearts – intimate student relationships and how they influence student success. Whether your student is in love or looking for it, this workshop addresses how parents can provide informed support on issues such as relationship counseling, managing study time and family planning.

Parents attending the January workshop provided feedback on the new series: “I would have preferred this workshop be offered in November – we missed some scholarship deadlines,” “Great idea, thanks!” “Please post directions [to the workshop location].”

Our workshops are held monthly in the Student Services Center, Dean of Students Conference Room, 2^nd floor. From the Cornell Parking Structure, head north on UNM’s Cornell Mall. Pass by Popejoy Hall and the Student Union (SUB). When you reach the north end of the SUB look eastward. A sign will direct families to the SSC, located behind Mesa Vista Hall. 

Check‐in begins at 5:30 p.m. Parents enjoy the camaraderie shared with Parent Association members who are on hand to visit with you about their experiences. The series is sponsored by UNM’s Dean of Students’ Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office and Parent Association.

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…)