Board members serve two‐year terms to advise on the development of campus communication vehicles, including the Parent Web site and electronic newsletter, parent outcomes and parent‐related events. Members may also fundraise, advocate and volunteer.

Those interested in serving on the board or one of its eight active committees please contact: Executive Director Laurie Mellas, 505 – 277-5915 or email parent@​unm.​edu.

2008 – 2010 Parent Officers

President Maria Probasco

Maria is a three time UNM parent. Her eldest son John, a Rhodes Scholar, graduated from UNM in 2002, and her daughter Christine is a 2005 graduate. Her youngest son Mark is currently a freshman. Maria was born in Greece and raised in Sydney, Australia, where she graduated from high school and attended business college. She is also a past member of the Alamogordo Public School Board, having served as its president and secretary. Maria believes that all students can succeed when given the skills, resources and opportunities. She sees the board as a means to better communicate with parents on issues affecting students and student success. She sees this board expanding its wings to fundraising activities. She also would like the board to advocate for better and safer student housing as well as instructional facilities conducive to learning.

Vice President Heyam Kassicieh

has two children attending UNM. Her husband Sul is a UNM professor. Their son Charles graduates in December 2008 from the Anderson School of Management with a degree in finance. Daughter Christina is a freshman. Heyam was born in Amman, Jordan and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her family invests much of their time serving UNM. Heyam decided to become more involved by serving on the board.

Treasurer Angela Koury

Angela is a UNM Alumna who earned her degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. She has worked as an accountant for more than 25 years. Her three children are currently attending UNM. Joanne is a third year pharmacy student; Lauren is a recent graduate of Anderson Schools of Management, now attending graduate school; and Paul is a freshman pursuing a business degree. Angela has always been active in her children’s parent organizations and is looking forward to her term as treasurer of the Parent Association Board.

/>Treasurer-elect Christina Kitsos

bio pending

Ex‐Officio Voting Board Members

The President’s Office voting designate Janet Schmidly

, who served as a public school teacher for 26 years. She is the wife of UNM President David J. Schmidly. The Schmidlys met at Texas Tech University where Janet was an education and speech major. She earned a special education degree at Texas A&M and taught special education and at‐risk children in elementary school. The Schmidlys have two grown children. Young people energize them both and no conversation with either goes by without mention of students. The couple was instrumental in forming parent associations at UNM and at Oklahoma State University.

Student voting designate Alexandra Roark

A sophomore majoring in marketing management at UNM. She also plans to earn an MBA. Alex is a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, where she has served in leadership positions, including as Vice President. She is a Trailblazer (a dedicated group of students volunteering for the alumni association and across campus) and each summer works as a LOBOrientation Leader for the Dean of Students. As an already involved student, she is proud to be a member of the Parent Association. She also serves as student support staff for the new Parent Relations Office.