UNM-Gallup Spring Semester Highlights

from June 2019 Gallup Journey Magazine

Martin Link

UNM-Gallup Students Study Global and Human Security

UNM-Gallup visiting faculty member Andisheh Dadashi initiated a program for four of her students which is allowing them to learn statistical languages and data analysis with an eye towards increasing global and human security.

Dadashi, who teaches math and statistics at the UNM-Gallup campus, stated, “This project is involved with learning R statistical language which is a popular statistical language for data analysis. The aim of this program is to train students to be data analysts, researchers, and computer programmers.”

The students and their instructor are participating in this grantfunded program at the invitation of Dr. Frank Gilfeather who is the consortium lead for the National Security Studies program on the UNM main campus. Professor Emeritus Gilfeather offered Dadashi the opportunity to supervise four of her students in the program which includes a six-week summer project.

Dadashi recently accompanied her students to a symposium at the

L to R: Matthew Kaus, Astrid Gonzaga, Andisheh Dadashi (Faculty), Bobbi Padilla, Dane Henry (Courtesy photo by UNM-Gallup)

UNM main campus as part of the project. Students met symposium guests including representatives from New York Magazine, CIA Associate Director Sean Roche, as well as internationally known journalists.

The four students participating in the NSSP project are Bobbi Padilla, Matthew Kaus, Astrid Carmela Gonzaga, and Dane N. Henry. Dadashi notes of her students, “These students are all brilliant, intelligent, and outstanding. During the symposium, they made me proud with their presence and questions.”

UNM-Gallup Student Success Manager Receives Advising Award

Michelle Lee, Student Success Manager in the Department of Student Affairs, has been recognized by the UNM Provost’s Committee for Advising Excellence by receipt of the 2019 Excellence in Advising Award for Integrated Advising.

In the award letter from Director of University Advising Laura Valdez, she notes, “The selection committee was highly impressed by your work, dedication, and commitment to student success and the advising profession, and we are happy to Student Success acknowledge your work. Thank you for your Manager, Michelle Lee unwavering commitment to our students and (Courtesy photo by in guiding them as they progress through UNM-Gallup) their degree programs.”

Director of Student Affairs Jayme McMahon noted that Lee has been instrumental in developing an integrated advising system for the students of UNM-Gallup. “Integrated advising is a coordinated and connected advising model that allows for seamless services for students, ease of access and cross-departmental communications that helps students navigate their college experience.”

Lee was honored at the Provost’s Staff Awards ceremony on May 15th.

UNM-Gallup Professor Honored as Online Teacher of the Year

Dr. Shirley Heying, Assistant Professor within the division of Arts and Sciences at UNM-Gallup, was honored on Friday, May 3rd, as the Online Teacher of the Year by the University of New Mexico Center for Teaching Excellence. In the award letter sent to Dr. Heying, Aeron Haynie, Executive Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, noted, “Students and colleagues provided strong evidence that you have made a significant positive impact on student learning. Your commitment to the enhancement of Dr. Shirley Heying teaching and learning has led to direct student (Courtesy photo by benefit. The pool of applicants was very strong

UNM-Gallup)

this year; you were clearly an outstanding applicant within that pool.”

Assistant Professor Heying is a cultural anthropologist who also recently received grants from UNM’s Research Allocations Committee and the Latin American and Iberian Institute to support a five-week follow-up research project in Guatemala this summer. The project focuses on the experiences of Guatemalan orphaned child survivors of the 36-year war that occurred in the country.

UNM-Gallup Student Receives Prestigious Transfer Scholarship

Shawna Yellowhair, a sophomore at the University of New MexicoGallup campus, has been awarded the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. This highly competitive national award was awarded to 61 recipients from around the country and will provide up to $40,000 per year for up to three years to allow her to complete her bachelor’s degree at a fouryear institution of her choosing.

Yellowhair was one of nearly 1,500 students who applied for the 2019 Cooke Undergraduate Scholarship. The application process was rigorous and applicants were evaluated based on academic ability, leadership skills, service, and persistence.

A graduate of Window Rock High School, Shawna earned an associate of arts degree in business administration from UNM-Gallup on May 10, 2019. She plans to transfer to a four-year institution to complete her studies in either accounting or finance.

The Cooke Foundation’s Transfer Scholarship is awarded to students who begin their studies at a community college, then transfer on to complete their baccalaureate requirements at a four-yearinstitution. Yellowhair did not initially think she would start at a two-year college, but now recommends that path to others. “I thought I was going to go to a four-year college but they are so expensive, so I ended up getting my prerequisites at UNMGallup.”

Shawna Yellowhair (Courtesy Photo by Shawna Yellowhair)

The spring semester ended with graduation ceremonies on May 10th. Under rainy skies that did not deter attendance, UNM-Gallup recognized the graduation of 272 students. Among those graduates, awards were given for 72 high school diplomas, 59 certificates, and 182 associate degrees.

The keynote speaker for the evening was Dr. William H. Shunkamola who is employed with Indian Health Services as a clinical psychologist. Dr. Shunkamolah is an alumnus of UNM-Gallup and The University of New Mexico main campus.

As part of the commencement program, Chair of Arts and Sciences Joe Kee awarded a posthumous Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts to Chantell Howard. Chantell passed away during the final year of her degree program. Chantell’s parents Ray Howard and Betty Howard and her sister Rose Howard accepted the degree on her behalf.

Dr. James Malm, UNM-Gallup chief executive officer, noted, “Graduation is the

UNM-Gallup graduates enter graduation ceremonies, May 10, 2019 (Photo courtesy of RAH Photography)

most wonderful time of the year for us at the University of New Mexico-Gallup. We appreciate the years of work and support behind each graduate. We all believe in the permanent and transformational effects of education to change lives and are proud that UNM-Gallup was part of that experience.” For information contact: Marilee Petranovich (505) 863-7770 mpetrano@unm.edu

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