Pronouns: she / her / hers / ella

At the center of my philosophy in higher education is that every student has the potential to succeed if given the right tools, resources, and support. Students need more than just academic skills to succeed. To truly thrive, students must develop a range of personal, social, and emotional competencies, including self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and communication skills. Therefore, as Director of Academic Success, my approach focuses on creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that helps students develop these competencies and achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. 

I am a proud First-generation UNM Lobo. I earned my B.S. is Education and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from UNM. I have worked in both Student and Academic Affairs. Through my professional experience at UNM, I developed a passion for creating a space for sense of belonging.  A little more about me, during my free time, I like to spend it hanging out with my dog, working out, and trying new places around Albuquerque.  

Pronouns: she / her / hers / ella

Pronouns: she / her / hers

As a first-generation college graduate from a rural community, I understand the challenges that many of our students face and understand that each academic plan needs to be accompanied by specific guidance tailored to the individual student. Advisors help students transition to college and guide students toward program completion by assisting students in identifying academic and career goals and creating plans for reaching those goals.

I am originally from Pennsylvania, attended college in New Hampshire, and moved to New Mexico in 2007. While in New Hampshire, I was worked at a high school where I taught US History, Geography and World Cultures and Research Methods, I also led group and individual tutorial sessions, and coached soccer and kayaking. I have a Master of Science in Academic Advising with a concentration in advising administration from Kansas State University and a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with a concentration in cultural studies from Dartmouth College.

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Advisement is a place that is individualized and intentional. It is a place you can bring your victories, obstacles and hopes. Asking questions, finding answers and challenging ourselves to look at interdisciplinary connections of what we learn is key to developing confidence and ownership in how we use the knowledge we gather. My advisement philosophy is to be a guide to you and empower your journey through the university. Our Advisement Center is a place where you can depend on receiving support as you explore what you want to learn and develop goals for your success and your future.

I love my home state of New Mexico, and I am proud to work at UNM. I graduated from the UNM College of Arts & Sciences and the Honors Program with my BA, English (2009). I attended Emerson College in Boston, MA, for my MFA, Creative Writing, Fiction (2012). I am a writer, editor, advisor and educator. I have taught courses at UNM-Valencia and other institutions. My collection of speculative naturalist poetry titled Recipe for Time Travel in Case We Lose Each Other released in February 2022. I love to travel, write, read, play video games and adventure with my dog, R2D2.

Pronouns: she / her / hers / ella

The University of New Mexico has played a significant role in my entire family’s life, and for that I am very grateful! I received a BA in Latin American Studies & Spanish here and later returned to complete my MA in Hispanic Linguistics after working as a research coordinator on North campus for a few years. I spent time here as an undergraduate student teacher, a graduate teaching assistant, and finally as a Visiting Lecturer I and Assistant Program Coordinator of UNM’s Spanish as a Second Language (SSL) Program in the Spanish and Portuguese Department.

In Fall 2019, I moved over to the world of academic advisement and learned how indispensable advisors are in guiding students towards completing their degrees.  I am very excited to now occupy the role of Education and Development Manager in the Center so that I can merge my experience in teaching and in advisement to create classes that will help students learn the hidden curriculum of successfully navigating a university system to maximize their overall experience!

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Advises: students with special circumstances (e.g. students returning to school after a hiatus and those on academic probation or suspension)

Exploring the World requires a critical lens--school will help you create that lens so that you can truly see the world.

I love school! As a former teacher, I find that school gives me the greatest sense of purpose. I am working on my Masters degree in Special Education. In my free time, I spend as much time with my weenie dogs and playing out-of-doors.

I am part of the A&S Support and Success Group (SSGs):  SSGs support all departments, students and advisors by working on special retention and graduation projects and covering advising availability for vacant major advisor positions while A&S hires and trains new student support professionals.

Pronouns: he / him / his

As a first-generation college student, I have a passion for assisting all students in achieving their dreams of acquiring a genuine college education; this means that there should be an integration of course-work in the liberal arts, humanities, and the applied sciences in their degree completion plan.  Through my career, my work in higher education has involved contributing to the education or training of mainly diverse non-traditional college students; this has included administrative and teaching work.

I hold a BS degree in Vocational Education Studies from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a graduate degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California. I am inspired by the literature produced by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Rudolfo Anaya, Hypatia of Alexandria, Upton Sinclair, Maya Angelou among many others.

Pronouns: he / him / his

Recruitment Philosophy:  As a recruitment specialist, I find that the most important aspect is to serve as a mentor to students through establishing meaningful connections. College can be a stressful topic to think about and I want to provide all of the necessary resources and information to ensure that students are knowledgeable in making decisions in their higher education trajectory, whether this be graduating from high school or returning to school. I want to ensure that as a first point of contact they feel seen, understood, and acknowledged coming from their unique walk of life and what it means to be supported in higher education endeavors. I want to ensure that prospective students can see themselves as a future lobo where they can find a space to grow academically and individually.  

About me:  I was raised in Albuquerque, NM. I graduated from UNM in 2022 with a Bachelors in Linguistics. I have a passion for languages and the structure of the human communication. Traveling, concerts and laughing until my cheeks and abs are sore are a triumph of my success. In my free time I enjoy spending time outdoors doing things appropriate to the seasons: Hiking, biking, snowboarding, running, camping. I also enjoy painting, drawing, and learning new recopies, making space and time to be creative is important for me.  

Pronouns: they / them / theirs - or - he / him / his

I am from North Carolina, where I graduated from NC State University with a double major in Psychology and Communication, along with a French minor. I am currently enrolled at UNM as a graduate student, pursuing my Master's Degree in Counseling in order to become a licensed clinical mental health counselor.

Outside of being a full-time student and employee, I love spending time with my cat, getting tattooed, and playing video games. As someone going into a helping profession, I'm excited to be a part of a team whose goal is to aid students in taking charge of their education and building the future they dream of.

Ali Jurado

Pronouns: she / her / hers / ella

Major: Chicana/o Studies and Spanish
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why UNM?: I chose to come to UNM because it's where I grew up. I've been coming to UNM since I was a child and would sit in on classes my mother would attend when she had no one to look after us. And when I had the opportunity to transfer from CNM I did.

Sydney Bathurst

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Major: Psychology
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why UNM?: I chose to come to UNM because I have grown up in Albuquerque.  UNM gave me the opportunity to grow as an individual while still remaining close to my family.  Some of them attended UNM and I tend to follow in the footsteps of those around me but I have intentions of writing my own story.