Luminaria Newsletter - Issue 3

Luminaria THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-GALLUP NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 3 | FALL 2025

Offering a bright future

Solar tech course prepares students to empower themselves and give back to their communities

By Renaldo Fowler Sr. Web Designer

F

ive students from The University of New Mexico-Gallup’s new solar technician program gathered with their instructors on a sunny day in late August to determine the best placement to install solar panels on a couple’s home.

After completing the 12-week course at UNM-Gallup and passing their certification exams, these students were now prepared to apply their knowledge with handson experience in the field.

Travis Kaskalla, 46, was one of the five now-certified solar technicians who helped install panels on the residence of Kathi Trujillo and Candelario “Kenny” Calavaza, who were chosen because they didn’t have electricity and had a high need for power.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the community and for the individuals that are looking for some financial stability and to also give back to the community at the same time,” Kaskalla said.

He was part of the

first cohort for the solar technician course, which is a non-credit, non-degree seeking program offered through Community Education & Workforce Development at UNM-Gallup.

“A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER IN MY HOUSEHOLD” Kaskalla signed up for the course after recently returning home to Zuni, where he also provides care for his father.

“I’m using this program to get back on my feet,” he said. “I want to be a productive member in my household.”

He credited UNM-Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development director for accommodating him during the application process and getting him into the program so quickly.

Another benefit of the program was the free tuition offered, which was made possible because of a grant from the New Mexico Higher Education Department.

“I didn’t have any money for tuition or books,” Kaskalla said. “All I had to do was show up and put

Photo by Renaldo Fowler/UNM-Gallup

UNM-Gallup solar technician students Travis Kaskalla, left, and Terrence Stewart prepare the solar panel assembly at a home in Zuni on Aug. 22, 2025.

Photo by Renaldo Fowler/UNM-Gallup

UNM-Gallup solar technician students work together on a solar panel at a home in Zuni on Aug. 22, 2025.

in my time and study.”

Kaskalla said he believes the solar program is important because it provides people with an opportunity to get their certification in just 12 weeks.

“STRESS AND WORRY OFF MY MIND” Trujillo and Calavaza were chosen to receive solar panels on their home because of their high need for electricity.

Calavaza has diabetes and previously didn’t have a way to properly store his insulin supply.

“I’m not sure that it’s still effective because they give him [a supply of insulin] like six months in advance and we have no way of keeping it cool,” Trujillo said. “So he takes it, and I think it’s working, but we don’t really know.

So, there’s a lot of stress and worry off my mind that way.”

Trujillo and Calavaza have lived in Zuni for 11 years, and the addition of solar panels to their

Renaldo Fowler/UNM-Gallup

Homeowners Kathi Trujillo and Candelario “Kenny” Calavaza stand together for a photo at their home in Zuni on Aug. 22, 2025.

home marks a significant step toward improving their already sustainable lifestyle.

Refrigeration will help the couple to preserve food longer and reduce waste in their household.

DEVELOPING THE LOCAL WORKFORCE UNM-Gallup’s solar technician course teaches students the basics of solar components and electricity, compliance, and safety hazards. Students also receive professional

development training.

Topics include learning the basics of running a small business, financial literacy, and customer service.

At the end of the course, students get hands-on training by setting up solar units within the community. The first cohort installed panels on homes in Zuni and Fort Defiance, Arizona.

Community Education & Workforce Development Director Ashlee Velasquez brought the course to UNM-Gallup because she is determined to build a workforce for future solar opportunities within the community.

Looking ahead, Velasquez hopes to offer more vocational trade courses through UNM-Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development.

To learn more about the solar technician course and other courses offered through Community Education & Workforce Development, visit gallup.unm.edu/ce.

Chancellor’s Corner

The value of a community college Dear Gallup Community,

Dr. Sabrina Ezzell

As we come to the end of a busy semester, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the core of our mission: the incredible value of a community college, UNM-Gallup.

What does that value look like?

It’s not just about affordable tuition, though that is a cornerstone of our promise. Real value is about access and opportunity.

We are the launchpad for a student

starting their journey toward a bachelor’s degree. We are the vital training ground for the skilled careers that build and serve our local community — from health care to technology. We are the second chance for an adult retraining for a new field, the flexible option for a working parent, and the first choice for anyone seeking high-quality education without a mountain of debt.

Here, “value” is an open door. It’s the welding student mastering a complex skill, the nursing student acing a clinical

rotation, and the aspiring entrepreneur learning how to build a business plan.

In this issue, we’re celebrating that impact. You’ll find stories highlighting the amazing achievements of our students, the dedication of our faculty, and the powerful role our college plays in transforming lives. Thank you for being part of this vital community.

Sincerely, Dr. Sabrina Ezzell UNM-Gallup Chancellor

Nursing program reports success as it grows

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

T

he nursing program at The University of New Mexico-Gallup has recruited and retained the largest class of students in its history, officials announced to state lawmakers during a meeting at the branch campus in August.

The New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Committee had a three-day meeting hosted by UNM-Gallup from Monday, Aug. 18, through Wednesday, Aug. 20. UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell and Nursing Program Director Jonathan Lumibao delivered the first presentation, welcoming legislators to campus and updating them on progress made at the institution.

“I’d like to thank all of the legislators for your financial support over the years with the nursing expansion funds and the nursing faculty endowment,” Ezzell said.

“Our program would not be what it is today without your financial support.”

Ezzell said the nursing faculty endowment enabled UNM-Gallup to hire an instructor for a new licensed practical nursing pathway program, which is expected to launch in the 2026 fall semester.

The LPN pathway, which is the result of a partnership with Gallup-McKinley County Schools, will help to address workforce shortages in the area and offer career opportunities for local youth.

Lumibao added that nursing expansion funds have been crucial in enhancing his program’s mission and capacity, ensuring that students, faculty and staff are well-equipped to meet their goals.

SUSTAINED STUDENT SUCCESS Lumibao shared that the nursing program had 86 students enrolled at the time, which is the highest consistent number of students in the program’s history.

The program admitted a total of

PAGE 2 | LUMINARIA

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Nursing Program Director Jonathan Lumibao delivers a presentation to the New Mexico Legislative Health and Human Services Committee at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Aug. 18, 2025.

48 students in 2025, and it has a student-retention rate of 85.6%.

He said the program also boasts a 92.3% student pass rate of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is a standardized exam that nursing graduates must pass in order to become licensed registered nurses.

“The UNM-Gallup nursing program continues to achieve strong student success outcomes while helping to strengthen New Mexico’s nursing workforce pipeline,” Lumibao said. “Currently, the program demonstrates sustained student success, and it’s supported by steady enrollment and comprehensive wraparound services, including our I-BEST instruction support and on-campus child care.”

I-BEST refers to Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training, which is a co-teaching program designed to provide ad-

ditional support to students with basic English and math skills in foundational nursing classes.

The I-BEST instructor also helps with specific nursing skills, such as dosage calculations and clinical reasoning. Outside the classroom, the instructor assists students with tutoring and study skills.

ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS Ezzell also shared updates about allied health programs at UNM-Gallup.

She said the dental assisting and medical laboratory technician programs at the branch are both nationally accredited with advisory committees made up of representatives from local dental clinics and hospitals.

“They help us stay current on our curriculum and that also helps us support employment upon graduation,” Ezzell said.

UNM-Gallup’s human services

program, which has concentrations in family studies and substance abuse, recently hired a new director: Bernie Montano.

In addition to the partnership with GMCS on the LPN pathway, Ezzell said the branch and school district are also collaborating together via UNM-Gallup’s Center for Career and Technical Education (CCTE).

This past year, Ezzell said, UNM-Gallup had 57 high school seniors enrolled in dual-credit pathways courses that expose students to options in health careers and health related content. Meanwhile, the CCTE has enrolled 160 students in college level courses that prepare them for a variety of careers, including health care sciences.

To learn more about UNM-Gallup’s nursing and allied health programs, visit gallup.unm.edu/ degrees-certificates.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-GALLUP

‘We’re stronger together’

Annual Campus Safety Fair highlights community partnerships and connects students to resources know where you might be.”

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

T

he University of New Mexico-Gallup hosted its third annual Campus Safety Fair in September, bringing together local public safety agencies to connect students with resources while highlighting the importance of community collaboration.

The fair was held in the Gurley Hall Commons on Sept. 18, 2025, and brought together 15 public safety agencies and nonprofit organizations dedicated to making the branch campus and the community at large a safer place.

“We’re stronger together,” City of Gallup Behavioral Health Manager Debra Martinez said. “One program can’t do everything by itself. We really have a strong community, and if we just work together and support each other and share each other’s information, we can save a life or help somebody who needs it.”

Martinez and Michelle Skersick, a certified peer support worker with the City of Gallup, conducted a stress reduction clinic using ear acupuncture during the fair. Ear acupuncture is a form of Chinese traditional medicine that involves inserting thin needles into a person’s outer ear to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression.

Martinez said many students don’t realize how much stress they take on, so she encourages them to check in with each other regularly and have conversations about self-care.

CONNECTING WITH FIRST RESPONDERS Gallup Fire Department Deputy Chief Andrew Laweka and a few of his recruits participated in the fair to talk about the services they offer, including fire extinguisher training and a free smoke alarm replacement program for community members.

Laweka stressed that firefighters are among the first responders who come to the campus during an emergency, so events like the safety fair give students, faculty and staff a chance to meet them and get to know them in a different light.

GALLUP.UNM.EDU GALLUP.UNM.EDU

LEARNING ABOUT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

A student tries on McKinley County firefighting gear during The University of New Mexico-Gallup’s Campus Safety Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons on Sept. 18, 2025.

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Michelle Skersick, a certified peer support worker with the City of Gallup, applies acupuncture needles to the ears of Administrative Assistant II Michelle Palacios during The University of New Mexico-Gallup’s Campus Safety Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons on Sept. 18, 2025.

“The other thing is it gives our new recruits the opportunity to be out there and see what the community is doing and what the university is doing within our community,” he said.

The department brought along their fire extinguisher simulator, letting students and visitors practice putting out a fake fire and learning the PASS technique, which stands for pull, aim, squeeze and sweep.

“It’s a lot of fun, “Gallup Fire Department recruit Angelo Lovato said. “It’s getting people more involved. It’s showing more people how to use a fire extinguisher, getting them familiar. In the process, they’re having fun, but

they don’t even realize that they’re actually learning how to slowly put out a small fire.”

As for campus safety advice, Laweka encouraged UNM-Gallup students and employees to maintain their situational awareness.

“If you see something wrong, say something,” he said. “Tell somebody. Alert the authorities. If something doesn’t look right, it’s probably not right.”

them know her organization is available to help them in times of need.

SASNWNM is a nonprofit organization with offices in Gallup and Farmington that provides crisis services, empowers victims, and creates a community focused on prevention.

Similar to Laweka’s advice on situational awareness, Arviso encouraged students to trust their gut feeling.

“If you’re out with friends or even just walking around the campus, maybe it got dark and something doesn’t feel right, then you should listen to that,” she said.

“There are people here who I’m sure could help you or escort you to your vehicle. If you’re alone at campus, let your friends

For Marlisha Trevizo, a children’s program case worker for Battered Families Services, Inc., the fair was an opportunity to talk to young people about healthy relationships and potential red flags.

As teens begin to date, Trevizo said, it’s important for them to recognize warning signs of domestic violence. Red flags can include a person who prevents you from enjoying your life or stops you from pursuing the things you’re interested in.

“You shouldn’t have to compromise yourself for somebody else,” she said.

“You should still be able to enjoy the things in life. …

So, if somebody’s holding you back from that, then that is not a healthy relationship.”

Battered Families Services is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advocacy, parenting classes, school presentations, a housing program, emergency shelter, and other resources.

Trevizo said her goal at the fair was also to educate people about domestic violence and how her organization can help if they’re experiencing domestic violence.

UNM-Gallup’s Campus Safety Week is organized by the branch’s Campus Safety Committee. Campus Safety Week is celebrated every year in September, which is National Campus Safety Awareness Month.

TRUSTING YOUR GUT Autumn Arviso, a victim advocate and prevention educator for Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico (SASNWNM), participated in the fair to hand out information to students and let

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

A student learns how to put out a fire using a fire extinguisher simulator during The University of New Mexico-Gallup’s Campus Safety Fair in the Gurley Hall Commons on Sept. 18, 2025.

LUMINARIA | PAGE 3 LUMINARIA | PAGE 3

TRIO SSS program awarded 5-year grant

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

T

he U.S. Department of Education has awarded The University of New Mexico-Gallup a federal TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) grant totaling more than $1.4 million to improve college retention and graduation rates among low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities.

The total grant award for UNM-Gallup is $1,456,085 for the next five years, which amounts to $291,217 annually. This award marks the continuation of 25 years of TRIO SSS services at UNM-Gallup. Since 2000, the program has served more than 1,300 students, helping them stay in school, earn degrees, and build meaningful careers.

“We take pride in creating a welcoming environment where students feel seen, supported, and valued,” UNM-Gallup TRIO SSS Program Director Kimimila Simms said. “By honoring students’ cultural identities and building a strong sense of community, we help them develop the confidence and skills needed to persist, graduate and succeed beyond

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

First-generation students gather for a group photo during the First-Gen Celebration inside Gurley Hall at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Nov. 6, 2025. college. Our mission is not only to increase college access and completion, but to walk alongside our students as they transform their futures and uplift their communities.”

Simms, who has been the director of the TRIO SSS program for eight years, noted that UNM-Gallup students face unique challenges on their path to a college degree.

These challenges include being the first in their families to attend college; navigating financial hardship; living in rural or tribal

communities with limited access to resources; and balancing school with work, caregiving and other responsibilities.

For UNM-Gallup students like Nakeisha Begaye, of Gallup, TRIO SSS serves as a haven where students can connect with advisors and their peers to build a sense of community.

“TRIO is a family,” Begaye said. “The advisors do really take the time to figure out what you want to do, even if you’re an iffy person between degrees.

The mentors and tutors really want to help push you to succeed and pass classes and also uplift other students when they come in.”

Begaye is a first-generation college student studying pre-nursing at UNM-Gallup. She aims to graduate with her associate degree by the 2027 spring semester, and she currently works as a peer tutor/mentor for TRIO SSS. UNM-Gallup student Antoinette Marianito, of Church Rock, lauded TRIO SSS for helping her get

back in school and work toward a better life for herself and her children.

“My parents didn’t go to college,” she said.

“TRIO really helped me. It was my first time back [at UNM-Gallup] and I didn’t know where to start. They helped me with navigating college.”

Marianito is a first-generation college student working toward an associate degree in human services with a concentration in substance use. She currently works as the social media/ student office assistant for TRIO SSS and is on track to graduate this fall.

Then, Marianito wants to transfer to UNM in Albuquerque to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Through individualized services including academic tutoring, financial aid, scholarship guidance, career exploration, personal and academic counseling, and mentoring, TRIO SSS empowers students to overcome barriers to success.

These comprehensive supports make it significantly more likely that students will complete their degree or successfully transfer, with the lowest possible debt.

Visit gallup.unm.edu/ trio to learn more.

UNM-G offers HiSET diploma plus workforce training

By Renaldo Fowler Sr. Web Designer

A

fter earning her commercial driver’s license, Marisol Reynolds is ready to see the world.

Reynolds, 31, is a student in the Adult Basic Education (ABE) program at The University of New Mexico-Gallup. While working toward her high school equivalency credential, she also signed up for CDL training offered through UNM-Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development program.

Reynolds originally planned to study nursing after earning her high school equivalency, but she changed her mind when the ABE program offered to pay for CDL training for interested students.

“It’s been an amazing journey for me,” Reynolds said. “I’ve been here less than a year and already accomplished a lot.”

Reynolds and her husband moved to Gallup from California in Janu-

PAGE 4 | LUMINARIA

Photo by Renaldo Fowler/UNM-Gallup

Adult Basic Education student Marisol Reynolds poses for a portrait at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Oct. 7, 2025. ary. After moving from a big city to a small town, Reynolds wanted to focus on completing her high school education.

“Being in California, I wasn’t able to have that opportunity to focus and stay in school,” she said.

“Being here, I was able to focus more on myself and get back into school and finish it. That was my goal.”

Reynolds had her doubts when she started the CDL program. It was challenging, but she stuck

with the program and passed the CDL exam the second time she attempted it. As a result, she is now CDL certified.

“KEEP GOING” Reynolds said the ABE staff was supportive and helpful during the challenging times.

“Everyone wants you to succeed, and they’re very encouraging,” Reynolds said. “Even on those days where you’re like, ‘I’m ready to just give

up,’ they’re like, ‘No, keep going.’”

The ABE program provides individuals with the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency credential, which is known as a HiSET diploma. ABE aims to help students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to find employment, become self-sufficient, better provide for their families, and develop self-confidence.

Despite funding challenges, UNM-Gallup’s ABE program has achieved success recently.

ABE Program Manager Jacinta Sice, who has been with the program for more than 17 years, said the program saw an increase in enrollment with more than 150 students enrolling in the program per year.

The number of ABE graduates has also increased. In 2023-2024, there were 14 total graduates. In 2024-2025, there were 15 total graduates. So far nearly halfway through the 2025-2026 school year, there have been 10 graduates.

INTEGRATED EDUCATION & TRAINING Sice hopes to continue the ABE program’s growth while also improving students’ measurable skills gains, which are indicators of a participant’s progress toward their educational or employment goals.

One of the ways ABE is achieving this is by introducing Integrated Education & Training (IET) into the curriculum. IET is an opportunity for students to gain workforce training alongside their adult education studies.

Sice said the ABE program partnered with Community Education & Workforce Development to offer CDL training to individuals pursuing their HiSET diploma.

Sice hopes to enroll more students in the IET program and to expand ABE’s workforce training through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

To learn more about Adult Basic Education at UNM-Gallup, visit gallup. unm.edu/abe.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-GALLUP

Law Enforcement Academy makes progress

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

“I think local communities like locals policing their own communities,” Eberhardt said. “That’s what we’re going to offer. People who live here know the territory.

They grew up here, so they’ll be able to police it better. And I think that’s what citizens want too.”

T

he University of New Mexico-Gallup is making progress toward starting a new law enforcement academy aimed at addressing the community’s need for training and recruiting certified police officers locally.

Dr. David Eberhardt was hired as the director of the UNM-Gallup Law Enforcement Academy in August. Over the past five months, he has been hard at work to get the academy started with the goal of accepting the first class of cadets by the summer or fall of 2026.

“Our mission at UNM-Gallup is to provide career and technical education,” Eberhardt said. “Providing law enforcement certification and training meets that need for the community.”

UNM-Gallup received an appropriation of $400,000 from the New Mexico Legislature in 2025 to pilot the new law enforcement academy, including operational costs associated with implementation and certification.

Currently, Eberhardt is going through the necessary steps of program approval to get the law enforcement academy up and running.

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS If approved, the UNM-Gallup Law Enforcement Academy would offer a training program to certify police recruits to become officers

A RESPONSIVE CURRICULUM

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

In this Oct. 2, 2025, photo, UNM-Gallup Law Enforcement Academy Director David Eberhardt poses for a portrait at The University of New Mexico-Gallup. for municipal and county governments, including the City of Gallup, McKinley County, City of Grants, Village of Milan, and Cibola County.

Eberhardt is also planning to partner with tribal governments in the region, such as the Navajo Nation and Pueblo of Zuni.

“The Law Enforcement Academy demonstrates the partnership between our institution, our legislators, and our community,” UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said. “It also shows how responsive UNM-Gallup can be to developing the local workforce and improving public safety.”

Eberhardt has been talking to officials from local law enforcement agencies to learn what challenges they’re facing when

it comes to training and recruiting new officers. He learned that many young recruits from the Gallup area hesitate to attend academies in Albuquerque or Santa Fe because it requires spending extended periods of time away from their families.

“So what we’re offering is for the cadets or recruits to come to the academy and then be able to go home at night,” Eberhardt said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for people.”

Eberhardt believes that having an academy in Gallup may help increase the number of local recruits that agencies can hire and retain.

Those recruits will also have more of a connection to the community and a familiarity with the area.

Eberhardt hopes to start the new academy with a class of 12-15 cadets and have the first cohort graduate by the end of 2026.

The curriculum for the program will cover approximately 748 hours of training and instruction over the course of 18 weeks, slightly exceeding requirements from the State of New Mexico.

The curriculum will consist of subject matter such as state law and legal procedures, ethics, patrol procedures and operations, principles of criminal investigation, note taking and reporting writing, defensive tactics, and more.

The state requires a minimum of 16.9 weeks and 672 hours, but Eberhardt increased the length of the program based on feedback from local law enforcement.

“If my clients, the law enforcement community, are saying, ‘We want more of this,’ then it’s my job to give it to them because this is about them,” Eberhardt said. “This is service.”

To learn more about the UNM-Gallup Law Enforcement Academy, contact David Eberhardt at 505-863-6325 or ebarhardtdr@unm.edu.

Criminal justice grad completes Gallup Police internship

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

A

criminal justice graduate from The University of New Mexico-Gallup was the first Lobo from the branch campus to complete an internship with the Gallup Police Department, opening the door to stronger partnerships between the college and local law enforcement.

UNM-Gallup alum Amy Anderson earned a Certificate of Student Internship for the work she did with Gallup Police over the course of three months in the spring. Anderson was recognized during a celebration luncheon at the police department in May. “I just wanted to thank all of you and everyone here for all the knowledge you shared with me,” Anderson said to those in attendance. “It really means a lot because you guys gave me a wider perspective on what it really means to be in law enforcement, and I just want to thank you all for this

GALLUP.UNM.EDU

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Gallup Police Chief Erin Toadlena-Pablo presents UNM-Gallup graduate Amy Anderson with a Certifice of Student Internship during a celebration luncheon at the police department on May 6, 2025. opportunity.”

Gallup Police Capt. Erin Toadlena-Pablo presented the certificate to Anderson, noting how important it was for the police department to celebrate something positive.

“Throughout the 2025 spring intern program, we would like to express our gratitude for your dedicated work as a police intern,”

Toadlena-Pablo said. “This certificate acknowledges your internship period from February 2025 to April 2025. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.”

“READY TO WORK” During the celebration, Gallup Police Sgt. Nicola Martinez-Collins described

the type of work Anderson did during her internship.

One of her primary tasks was compiling statistical data about missing police reports.

Anderson also spent some time working with detectives, learning about the gear they use, the fingerprinting process, and interrogation techniques.

“She always comes in ready to go, ready to work, really positive attitude and really looking into what it is that police do,” Martinez-Collins said.

Anderson said her favorite part of the internship was joining police recruits during training, learning about pepper spray, defensive tactics, and de-escalation techniques. Martinez-Collins said Anderson participated in the training as a role player too.

Martinez-Collins also shared a funny anecdote about one day asking Anderson if she learned anything new, only to find out that her instructors had al-

ready taught her the things they were showing her at the police department.

Anderson said she felt well prepared thanks to the education she received from UNM-Gallup, but she still learned a lot on the job.

“It was definitely a learning experience, and it gave me a way broader perspective on what everyone does,” she said.

“Everyone has a part here, and they play a really big role.”

UNM-Gallup criminal justice instructor Jennifer Henry noted that Anderson, through this internship experience, essentially kick started the new partnership between the college and Gallup Police.

Now, Henry hopes to form more connections with law enforcement related organizations in the community to give other Lobos the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience with the sheriff’s office, state police, local courts, and more.

LUMINARIA | PAGE 5

Technical writing gets personal

UNM-G students discover their own stories via research projects about local history and culture

complement her presentation on Southwest star stories and constellations with the hopes of teaching her children more about their culture.

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

I

n a unique class at The University of New Mexico-Gallup, students have been learning how to use professional and technical communication skills to share their personal connections to the region’s Indigenous cultures, traditions and stories.

Not only are students earning college credits for their research and writing assignments, but their work is contributing to a project in collaboration with the George Galanis Multicultural Center in downtown Gallup.

“The students really drill down into Gallup’s culture and history,” Associate Professor Dr. Tracy Lassiter said of her class. “They’re collecting stories from people before those stories are lost — as much as possible — but then recognizing that their own story becomes part of that story too.”

Lassiter explained that personal stories are the pivot point for the students’ writing assignments, which helps the technical writing aspect of the class come alive and become more engaging.

Students are tasked with conducting research about their topic and interviewing local people, such as trading post owners or weavers, to gain first-hand insight.

The finished projects are in-

TECHNICAL WRITING COMES ALIVE

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Associate Professor Dr. Tracy Lassiter gives feedback after a student presentation during her Professional and Technical Communication class at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on May 6, 2025. tended to be used by the multicultural center — either to display in racks alongside exhibits in the center’s Storyteller Museum or to help with educational outreach at local schools.

PRESENTING RESEARCH VIA PERSONAL NARRATIVES At the end of the spring semester in May, Lassiter’s students delivered their presentations in class, focusing on different aspects of Indigenous traditions and stories.

Student Lamar Elliott used a

projector to display printed photographs for his presentation on silversmithing. He also brought in a piece of jewelry made by his late grandfather that was handed down to him.

Student Ryanelle Velarde created a PowerPoint slideshow with personal photos showcasing the traditional Navajo kinaaldá, a ceremony that celebrates a girl’s transition into adulthood — typically around the age of 11-13 years old.

And student Katie Schultz created an activity booklet to

Sandra Freeland, the education coordinator for the George Galanis Multicultural Center, sat in on the class to hear the presentations and offer advice on where students could do more research on their subjects and how to take their projects to the next level.

“It’s a good way to use [these topics] to connect technical writing skills, which we all need and you all need to survive in this generation,” Freeland said. “But to do it through personal stories and connection to your community, that makes it meaningful.”

Lassiter explained that inviting Freeland to listen to the presentations gives students a simulated experience of making a pitch to a client in the professional world. “[The students] find it to be rewarding and interesting,” Lassiter said. “And at the same time, we’re contributing something to the community. And it’s done so much to change the tenor and the purpose of tech writing … to make it something more alive and robust.”

A haven for Lobos at UNM-Gallup

SRC now offers veteran and accessibility services

By Cole Frame Student Public Relations Assistant

O

ne year after The University of New Mexico-Gallup combined two existing offices into a new Student Resource Center, the branch campus remains committed to serving student veterans and students with disabilities.

UNM-Gallup’s previously known Accessibility Resource Center and Veterans Resource Center were brought together in July 2024 to form the new Student Resource Center.

Shana Arviso, who oversees the Student Resource Center, now wears two hats as UNM-Gallup’s accommodations specialist and veterans school certifying officer. She said the Student Resource Center still focuses on students with documented disabilities and accommo-

PAGE 6 | LUMINARIA

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Student Tiffany Armijo works on an assignment in a private study room in the Student Resource Center at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on June 25, 2025. dations to help students succeed, but now she also works with students who are veterans, children of veterans, and spouses of veterans.

“Sometimes, it may be scary to ask for help when you need it, but there is always someone who will

help unconditionally,” she said.

Arviso helps students who have different learning abilities with educational benefits, food security, academic confidence, and advocacy. She also helps students navigate various resources around

campus, such as study rooms and other student services.

In addition, Arviso assists students with connections for educational benefits, certifying student veterans’ schedules for the semester, planning accommodations, and proctoring tests with a check out system for equipment.

She has also been working to revive the Student Veterans Association on campus, inform students about scholarship and internship opportunities, and reach out to non-traditional students who are returning to college after some time.

FOCUSING PURELY ON STUDENTS Tiffany Armijo, a UNM-Gallup nursing student who uses the Student Resource Center, said that Arviso is student-oriented and provides refreshments

to students who need a small break or do not have the time to get a full meal.

Armijo said Arviso also checks on students to see if they are doing well mentally and physically, providing a safe space in the Student Resource Center for anyone to talk about their stress.

“Shana is well liked because she focuses purely on the students and is well involved,” Armijo said.

Armijo also said she appreciates the center’s private study rooms. She said there is no time limit for using the study rooms, which helps her be more productive and achieve her goals.

Armijo said she highly recommends the Student Resource Center to other students who qualify for its services.

To learn more about the Student Resource Center, visit gallup.unm.edu/src.

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-GALLUP

Lobo places 5th at SkillsUSA nationals Layla Perry’s performance at championship highlights UNM-Gallup’s continued success at highest level advisor and I was like, ‘I ate that up.’”

By Richard Reyes Sr. Public Relations Specialist

F

or the third year in a row, a student representing The University of New Mexico-Gallup earned top five honors at the SkillsUSA national championship.

Student Layla Perry finished fifth in the post-secondary job interview competition during the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta in June. Perry is enrolled as a junior at UNM in Albuquerque, and she was able to represent Gallup at the championship because she still takes some courses through the branch campus.

“I do feel very confident knowing that at a national level, I was good,” Perry said. “Like my portfolio was nice, my resume was nice, my punctuality was nice, professionalism was there. So, I feel a lot more secure.”

Perry’s performance at the championship highlights UNM-Gallup’s continued success competing against the best career and technical education students in the country.

UNM-Gallup has repeatedly produced state champions who have been able

“OVER THE MOON”

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

UNM student Layla Perry poses for a portrait with her SkillsUSA medal at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on July 11, 2025. to hold their own at the national level.

“I ATE THAT UP” For the job interview competition, Perry participated in a mock interview for an entry-level position. She had to submit a portfolio, which included a cover letter, resume and references, for an imagined legal assistant position at a law firm.

She also had to complete a professional development test, which she prepared for heavily with the help of UNM-Gallup student employee Sonny Gene. Perry credited her performance on the test for her overall success.

Perry noted how important it was to pay attention to detail during the competition too. She was graded on criteria such as wearing appropriate attire,

answering questions about the elements of the SkillsUSA framework, checking in with a receptionist, and even proper sitting etiquette.

After the interview, Perry felt confident about her performance.

“I was like, ‘I nailed it.

I ate it up. That was so smooth. Like, I would hire me, too,’” Perry reflected.

“I walked out of the interview and I went to my

However, Perry’s confidence soon turned to nervousness. Later that day, Perry learned she was among the top 10 finalists in her category, which meant she had to come back for another interview the next day.

But in the end, Perry performed better than she expected as she earned fifth place overall.

“I was really happy,” she said. “I was already happy to be in the finals [top 10], so to know that I finished in fifth place, over the moon.”

Going into the competition, Perry said she felt like she was still a high school kid, but after navigating the championship and performing so well, she feels more mature and confident.

“I feel way more prepared,” she said. “I feel like I’m on the right track with what I want to do in the future.”

Perry is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in political science at UNM. She also expressed interest in going to law school.

Zollinger Library director named NMCAL president with UNM-Gallup,” Dean of Instruction John Zimmerman said. “It comes as no surprise to me that his colleagues, state-wide, supported him in becoming the president of NMCAL. Markos continues to do great work and is a supportive and positive leader here in Gallup and across New Mexico. We are all very proud of his accomplishments.”

By Cole Frame Student Public Relations Assistant

T

he University of New Mexico-Gallup’s library director achieved the incredible honor of becoming the president of the New Mexico Consortium of Academic Libraries over the summer.

UNM-Gallup Zollinger Library Director Markos Chavez now serves as president of the consortium’s Executive Committee alongside other officers from libraries around the state. The consortium presents the unified position of New Mexico’s academic libraries on key issues and implements projects of mutual benefit.

“It feels weird, in a good way,” Chavez said of his new role. “It feels great to be president and keeping the academic library directors up to date and involved.”

The consortium is composed of directors from academic libraries in the state, including The University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Eastern New Mexico University, Western New Mexico University, and others.

Chavez said the executive leadership track involves a three-year commitment with those in office serving for three years consistently.

TRANSFORMING THE LIBRARY As library director at UNM-Gallup, Chavez

GALLUP.UNM.EDU

“PATIENCE IS KEY”

Photo by Richard Reyes/UNM-Gallup

Zollinger Library Director Markos Chavez poses for a portrait at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Dec. 16, 2025. is responsible for Zollinger Library’s overall funding, staffing, and operations, ensuring the library is open for students to utilize the various study areas. He also organizes and hosts events for students and community members regularly.

Chavez came on board as library director in August 2022 and was recognized as UNM-Gallup’s Employee of the Month in May 2023 for his work in transforming the library into a hub of student, community and faculty services.

“Director Chavez has done an excellent job running the Zollinger Library in his time

Chavez was born and raised in Gallup and has been working in the Gallup area for more than a decade. The only time he left was when he pursued a higher education.

“As soon as I was able to teach, I came back to Gallup and started working in 2004,” he said.

Chavez holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in secondary education from UNM in Albuquerque. He also holds a Master of Library Information and Science from the University of Arizona.

Based on his personal experience, he encourages students to stick with school when making the transition from an undergraduate program to graduate studies.

“Stick with progress and decisions made,” he said. “Continuing with school from a bachelor’s straight to a master’s leads to success. Patience is key!”

LUMINARIA | PAGE 7

The University of New Mexico-Gallup 705 Gurley Ave. Gallup, N.M. 87301 505-863-7500 gallup.unm.edu

Inside this issue of Luminaria - Fall 2025

Diploma + CDL = Success Page 4

Growing community police Page 5

Eating up the competition Page 7

Start Your Lobo Legacy Registration for Spring 2026 is open Spring Admissions Application Deadline

Jan. 9, 2025

Spring Semester Begins

Jan. 19, 2025

Scan the QR code of visit GALLUP.UNM.EDU

The University of New Mexico-Gallup newsletter “Luminaria” is published once a semester by the UNM-Gallup Public Relations Department.

Phone: 505.863.7542 Email: galluppr@unm.edu gallup.unm.edu/pr

UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell Sr. Public Relations Specialist Richard Reyes Sr. Web Designer Renaldo Fowler Student Public Relations Assistant Cole Frame

UNM-Gallup Local Advisory Board Raymond Calderon, Chairman Ralph Richards, Board Member Rebecca “Becky” Apel, Board Member Christopher Vian, Board Member Jvanna Hanks, Board Member

UNM-Gallup Land Acknowledgement Founded in 1968, The University of New Mexico-Gallup sits on the traditional homelands of the Pueblo of Zuni Nation and Navajo Nation.

The original peoples of New Mexico - Pueblo and Navajo - since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who remain stewards of this land throughout the generations and also acknowledge our committed relationship to Indigenous peoples.

We thankfully recognize our history, strive to build robust relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous peoples, and commit to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment with respect, understanding, and appreciation of all.

PAGE 8 | LUMINARIA

THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO-GALLUP