Staff & Administration
ASCAS includes over 20 Academic Advisors, housed within their departments for one-on-one interactions with students. We believe that the best place for a student to meet their advisor is in their department for easier access to faculty, relevant information, and special events.
Meet your advisors ⇒
We utilize our central ASCAS office for collaborative work, staff training and development, mandatory workshops, registration labs, and numerous specialized services. In our Center, we also assist students with general inquiries or urgent matters when their advisor is unavailable. If you are ever unsure where to go, please contact us!
Our Central Office staff consists of the Leadership team, administrative assistants, recruitment and retention specialists, and work study student employees.
Leadership
Stephanie Hands
Director ♦ ssmith@unm.edu
Advisors are teachers – they teach students how to navigate successfully through the university system. Advisors are navigators – they give guidance that enhances students’ educational journey and personal development. Advisors are translators – they articulate for the student the language of higher education. |
Academic Advisement
Joanna M. Camacho
Supervisor ♦ Humanities & Interdisciplinary Studies
jmcamachoescobar@unm.edu
Pronouns: she / her / ella I believe academic advisors should meet students where they are; focus on their needs and goals to be successful at UNM and future career goals. I consider academic advisement centers as the anchors for student academic success in higher education institutions, especially for underrepresented students pursuing Arts and Sciences degrees. Academic advising is key to help you navigate UNM, we will show you the resources available to you and help you understand the requirements for your academic goals. I earned a B.A. in Secondary Education of History from the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras and M.A. in History and Ph.D. in Borderlands History from the University of Texas at El Paso. I taught U.S. and Latin American history in universities in Texas and Ohio, and found my passion for academic advising in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. I’m from Puerto Rico, the “Island of Enchantment” (La Isla del Encanto), and I fell in love with the “Land of Enchantment.” |
Beth Elkin
Supervisor ♦ Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Social/Behavioral Sciences
belkin@unm.edu
Pronouns: she / her |
Success Curriculum Development
Sarah Peceny
Education and Development Manager
speceny2@unm.edu
Pronouns: she / her / ella |
Operational Support
Amy Zuverink
Administrative Assistant III
azuverin@unm.edu
Being one of the first points of contact a student has at the ASCAS front desk requires knowing a little bit of everything to get students the answers they need. I take pride in being able to answer and direct questions with both promptness and compassion. I graduated from UNM in 2016 with a BA in English and a BA in Theatre, and I'm excited to be back in Arts & Sciences to give current students the same hands-on assistance that I received. Getting to help students along their educational journey is a privilege, and I enjoy assisting in every way I can. |
Recruitment and Retention
Cameron Langner
Supervisor, Student Success ♦ Student Recruitment and Retention
clangner@unm.edu
Pronouns: she / her 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. |
Danielle Berrien
Education Specialist ♦ Transfer Student Recruitment
dberrien@unm.edu
Advisors wear many hats – that of guide, educator, and go-to resource person. As an Education Specialist, I have the great privilege of working with graduate assistants, staff, and faculty at both UNM and CNM in creating a pathway for students to more easily transfer to UNM’s College of Arts & Sciences. I was an advisor for 13 years in Tucson – at both the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. I have taught courses in student success, major exploration, and transfer strategies. In addition, I was a Career Services Director at a small state college in my home state of Vermont for two years. My participation and contribution to student services is an abiding passion! Lastly, I earned a BS in Family & Consumer Sciences from U Maine-Farmington and an M.Ed. in Counseling from Northern Arizona University. In my off-time, I enjoy nature walks, attending jazz or world music shows, crafting, and finding the next “best” gluten-free muffin or cookie recipe to bake! 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. |
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Work Study Student Employees
Our work study student employees are a valuable part of our team! If you're interested in working with us, our postings will be under Student Jobs on unmjobs.unm.edu.
Past and Current Student Employees
Ivy Nguyen
Major: Chemistry
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Why UNM?: I chose UNM because I wanted to stay close to my family and friends. I also love the UNM mascot - the wolf is my favorite animal! I am more than happy to be a UNM Lobo.
Frances Santangelo
Major: Earth & Planetary Sciences (EPS)
From: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Why UNM?: New Mexico has always interested me with its vast geology, which inspired me to study at UNM. UNM has wonderful resources and a great EPS department. I thought I could find my truest potential by coming here, especially by widening my horizons and moving out of state.