Message from the Vice President

Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

We have officially entered our season of celebration with the first ceremony, hosted by the Veterans and Military Resource Center, taking place this past Monday evening. The banquet, an annual tradition of celebration and recognition, was filled with joy, tears, and reflection as we recognized military dependents and those who have served who are graduating this year. We also took a moment to recognize a recently passed service dog named Parker who was a critical part of one student’s journey. The event to me was a salient reminder of the diverse paths and experiences students come to us with, the different needs they will have while they are here, and the common thread throughout of seeking to leave UNM prepared for a life of thriving.

At the end of the semester, our students will move across stage with varied cords and stoles collected at ceremonies and events from across campus. The ways in which we celebrate graduating students are numerous and distinct, but each is a critical component of marking the momentous accomplishments of our graduates. Programs that allow students to celebrate their culture, identity, affinity, and shared experiences create opportunities for connection and belonging which we know are essential to student success.

Capping those experiences off by demonstrating our continued commitment to students, and inclusive excellence through the various celebrations hosted across the division in the next month is a most elemental representation of who we are as a community. We often say that each of us defines all of us, and I am proud to be defined by each of you and especially the product of our enduring work—the

graduates we celebrate during this very special time. I look forward to celebrating with you.

With appreciation,

Eric

Rosa Isela Cervantes was recently featured on the ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? podcast. Cervantes joined Dr. Gina Ann Garcia and Julián G. Ángel for the latest episode: Historic HSIs and Historic Spaces of Servingness.

Listen to the episode via any of these links:

https://lnkd.in/eTGnW73g

Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gqDd8u4g 

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gcKjRkJB 

YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g8TqA44F

The UNM Office of Sustainability is hosting UNM Earth Month this April, and this week several events are happening around campus. Campus Clean Up Days are Thursday, on north campus, and Friday, on central campus, which bring the UNM community together to celebrate and beautify the university.

Volunteers can participate in cleaning campus grounds, pulling weeds, laying mulch, and planting flowers and trees. Pre-registration is required for these clean up events.

Information on all UNM Earth Month events can be found on the UNM Sustainability website.

2025 AYA Stoling Ceremony

The Aya Stoling Ceremony creates an opportunity to recognize the academic and service/volunteerism accomplishments of our students from the university. Awards and Recognitions during this ceremony include the following categories:

• African American Student Services Leadership Award
• All Undergraduates and Graduates graduating during that Academic Year

You're invited to the El Centro End of Year Celebration on Wednesday, May 7, at 4:30 p.m. in SUB Ballroom C, followed by a dinner at the Ethnic Center Courtyard.

Late Night Breakfast is a free event for students to relax before finals week. The event features food, giveaways, prizes, and a DJ and dance floor.

The AAPIRC Stoling Ceremony shows appreciation for the accomplishments of all students receiving undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from UNM-Main Campus. It’s also an opportunity for students to recognize their family, friends, UNM Faculty & Staff, and others who have provided support and encouragement during their university experience. This event is open to all students earning a degree and is intended as an additional avenue to acknowledge this significant educational milestone.

El Centro de la Raza is hosting the Raza Stoling Ceremony, on Wednesday, May 14, from 6-8 p.m. at The Pit. This event is a meaningful occasion for students who are completing their degrees and would like to celebrate with El Centro.

The AISS Stoling Ceremony will show appreciation for the accomplishments of all students receiving undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees from UNM-Main Campus within the following semesters: fall 2024, spring and summer 2025. This event is open to all students earning a degree and is intended as an additional avenue to acknowledge this significant educational milestone.