Corporate Social Responsibility By Amy Archuleta As a vice president in Global Communications at Prudential Financial, Inc., Lisa Villareal (BS 89) is implementing public relations strategies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR includes the company’s philanthropy, impact investments, corporate contributions and employee engagement activities. She enjoys working with the best in the corporate Lisa Villareal world, having access to information that may not be readily available in other professions and prompting topics she believes are for the greater good.
At ENMU, one professor in particular impacted Lisa’s career the most. Dr. Phelps laid the first brick in Lisa’s career by pushing her to take an internship with Voice of America, which led to her start as a news reporter and videotape editor in Albuquerque, putting to use her experience from KENW at ENMU. Then she served as a staff assistant for The Honorable Jeff Bingaman, U.S. Senator for New Mexico.
The Roswell native’s career, so far, has been an adventure. Lisa recalls when she graduated from ENMU with her degree in communications and television broadcasting, that many of her classmates landed jobs before she did. However, Lisa kept herself open to adventure and possibilities.
Lisa believes it’s important for students to make the most out of their educations, staying open to possibilities and seeking out people who encourage you. “A career needs to be approached as a marathon, not a race,” Lisa explained.
From 1993-1997 she served as a presidential appointee in several positions at the Cabinet level for the U.S. Government in Washington, DC. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Villareal worked in various communications and media related capacities. She also worked in the U.S. Executive Branch as scheduler in the Office of the First Lady in The White House. Lisa joined Prudential Financial, Inc. in 1997 and has worked in various capacities. She was responsible for generating publicity for Prudential Investment Management’s international investments business unit and managed communications for Prudential’s international insurance, wealth management and global derivatives areas.
Retired ENMU Professor Remembered
By Lori Brunsen
Professor Emeritus of Finance Dr. William “Bill” Brunsen (BA 68) passed away in July of 2015. Dr. Brunsen met and married Judie Williamson (MS 67, BA 66) in February of 1964. An Airman, the United States Air Force deployed Bill during his undergraduate career. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs awarded him a Fulbright-Hays Scholarship to study Economics at Frei Universitaet in Berlin, West Germany during his undergraduate studies as well. After graduating, Dr. Brunsen moved his family to his hometown of Lincoln, NE where he completed his Master’s and PhD at the University of Nebraska. At this time, he also worked as a Financial Specialist for the Nebraska State Legislature. Dr. Brunsen began his college teaching career in 1983 at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC and also taught at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. Dr. Brunsen returned to ENMU as a finance professor in 1987. He spent 24 years at the University and retired in 2011. In the College of Business, Dr. Brunsen served as the Graduate Coordinator, Associate Dean and as the Secretary of the ENMU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. He also activated the ENMU Chapter of Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in 1988 and went on to become the President of the National Executive Council. Dr. Brunsen was close friends with Emeriti professors Dr. Dale Davis and Dr. Gerry Huybregts. Students remember Dr. Brunsen as a caring professor who challenged students to realize their full potential. Upon learning of his passing, students established an ENMU Foundation scholarship in Dr. Brunsen’s memory.
Dr. Bill Brunsen
Green & Silver | November 2015
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