The next installment in UNM’s free Parent Talk series is Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Student Services Center, Dean of Students Conference Room (rm. 260). Students and extended family are welcome to attend!

Each semester hundreds of student organizations are active with support from the UNM Student Activities Center –  learn what’s out there and how your student can get involved and stay connected. Our speakers will include Ryan Lindquist, SAC assistant director, and a panel of students active in various organizations. (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.

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…)

Lobo Orientation is a mandatory two‐day program for all freshmen students, including transfer freshmen with 26 or fewer credits. Incoming fall 2009 freshmen can sign up for Lobo Orientation beginning March 31. It is recommended that students register for the earliest orientation session that they can attend.

We encourage the family members of students attending Lobo Orientation to participate in the Family Connection Program, which runs concurrently with each orientation session and is designed for parents, grandparents, guardians, and other family of incoming freshmen. 100% of last year’s parent participants recommended the program to other parents. (more…)

The Parent Connection Workshop Wednesday, March 4, from 6 – 7 p.m. will feature a senior academic advisor from University College, Nicole Brody, who will share critical information about core class requirements and how to apply to UNM’s professional colleges/schools. Brody will also identify major challenges students may face as young scholars. Workshops are free and open to the public. No RSVP is required.

Karen Olson of the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS) will also join the discussion, providing information about tutoring programs, workshops, mentoring and other services for students who seek additional support. In April, the workshop will focus on Career Services, including information about summer jobs/internships/co-ops, and more. 

The workshops are held the first Wednesday of each month in the Student Services Center, Dean of Students Conference Room, 2^nd floor. From the Cornell Parking Structure (parking is $1.75 per hour), go north on Cornell Mall. Pass by Popejoy Hall and the Student Union (SUB). When you reach the north end of the SUB to east to the Student Services Center, located behind Mesa Vista Hall. Check‐in begins at 5:30 p.m. Parent Association members are on hand to visit with parents about their experiences.

The series is sponsored by UNM’s Dean of Students’ Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office and the Parent Association.

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 Kim W. Jarigese

Many individuals are faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to leave the hometown they have known their whole life to move to the “big city” to get their degree. The community of Taos is fortunate to have a UNM branch campus that offers lower division, upper division, and graduate programs.

While working full‐time and taking a full‐time course load, Kim Covington recently graduated with her Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) degree through the UNM Taos Bachelor and Graduate Programs.

What encouraged Covington to return to college was a parent orientation session she attended for one of her sons, who was enrolling at the UNM Taos Campus. As a single mom of two sons, she was motivated by the words of Tracy Skipp, associate dean for undergraduate studies and director of the BUS degree program at UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque. At the orientation session, Skipp told parents to be a good role model for their children and earn their degree. Greatly inspired, Covington enrolled her son, and also herself. (more…)

The new Parent Connection Workshop Series addresses issues relevant to parenting college students and is held on the first Wednesday of each month and in coordination with the academic calendar.

Co‐sponsored by the Dean of Students Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office and Parent Association, the series features presenters from a variety of university departments. It provides a regular opportunity for parents to gain new insights from campus experts and to network with other parents to improve their students’ experience at UNM. 

Workshop Date & Location:
Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009
Dean of Students Conference Room (Students Services Center #260)

Workshop Agenda:
5:30 – 6:00 pm Check‐in
6:00 – 6:05 pm Welcome and Speaker introduction
6:05 – 6:45 pm Presentation by Susan Chavez & Bill Bloom
6:45 – 7:00 pm Q & A
7:00 pm Workshop Evaluation & Conclusion

Workshop Topic: Money Matters: Financial Aid & Scholarships
With the economic downturn, many people need some help. This workshop will provide parents with information on Financial Aid and Scholarship opportunities.
Financial Aid: January is the time when students and parents should be preparing for the FAFSA again. Whether it is your first time submitting this important form or just a renewal of last year’s form, this workshop will provide you with important information about this year’s financial aid process.
Scholarships: Learn what UNM has to offer current and returning students. Topics include the General Scholarship Program and other outside scholarship opportunities.

Future Workshop Series:
February — Student Health and CounselingLove is in the air! Learn how relationships affect student success and retention. Whether your student is in love or looking for it, this workshop addresses many issues including relationship counseling, transferring, study time, and family planning issues.

March — Academic Support
Conquering academic challenges! Every student has a class that he or she is struggling through all semester. Learn what UNM has to offer in terms of tutoring programs, mentorship opportunities, and other student support services that will help your student succeed in the classroom.

Contact:
Parent Relations Office: 505 – 277-5915, parent@​unm.​edu
Dean of Students Office: 505 – 277-3361, nso@​unm.​edu