SPA Student Newsletter Dec. 7, 2015

Rivera, Martin Named Luminaria Award Recipients

SPA professor, student recognized for their contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice

SPA Regents' Professor, Dr. Mario Rivera

The UNM School of Public Administration
saw two of its own recognized for their contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice Tuesday.

SPA Regents’ Professor, Dr. Mario Rivera, and student Texanna Martin were selected by UNM’s Division for Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as recipients of its 6th Annual Luminaria Awards. The duo received the awards at an award luncheon in the UNM Student Union Building on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

According to the DEI, the Luminaria Awards recognize individuals and organizations that light the path in areas of diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice. Their commitment can be evident in recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups; teaching, research and/or service; multicultural or cultural awareness programming; social justice organizing, community outreach or other similar activities.

Recipients of the Luminaria Awards demonstrate an exemplary commitment to addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, or social justice at the University of New Mexico or in New Mexico; emerging or long-term commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice effort goes above and beyond the routine expectations of the job or project; provide evidence to support the contribution the individual(s) or unit has made in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion or social justice.

Texanna Martin

The DEI selected Dr. Rivera for its Faculty Award and Martin for its Student Award. Other award winners include Staff Award recipient Armando Bustamante and Inclusive Excellence Award recipient Mark Peceny, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Families United for Education received the Community Organization Award.

The UNM Graduate & Professional Student Academy Call For Applications

The UNM Graduate & Professional Student Academy is a collaborative initiative between the Graduate Resource Center (GRC) and our committed partners at the University of New Mexico. It seeks to further professional and leadership development for graduate and professional students as they engage in a variety of academic and professional organizations. The goal of the academy is to serve as an additional support system for participants by making resources, networks, and skills available for successful attainment of academic, personal and professional goals. All successful academy fellows will receive a $500 scholarship in May to support their research and scholarship.

We encourage you to apply for this academy by submitting the attached application along with a letter of intent and curriculum vitae or resume. Please note that the deadline to submit your application packet to the Graduate Resource Center is Monday, January 11, 2016 by 5:00 p.m. Additional information about this opportunity can be found at unmgrc.unm.edu. If you have questions, please contact the Graduate Resource Center at 505-277-1407 or unmgrc@unm.edu.

Best wishes with finals and wishing everyone a wonderful winter break!

Finals Week Study Tips

Originally Published in USA Today - Billie Streufert December 8, 2014

If you are freaking out about final exams – but really, who isn’t? – it’s important to keep calm and study on. The following list will help you get organized and identify effective learning strategies you can use to ace your exams.Find your favorites and try something new if your current techniques are not producing results.

  1. Create a master to-do list and a schedule for the remaining days in the semester. Break cumulative exams into smaller study units, which will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed and help you monitor your progress daily.
  2. Just get started. Don’t wait until you feel like studying.
  3. Review your notes daily.
  4. Identify the format of the exam. Vary your study technique according to the type of exam.
  5. Predict possible questions. Review old tests, study guides or the course objectives.
  6. Answer questions you didn’t know the first time. If the exam is cumulative and you struggled to master any material, return to it.
  7. Meet with the professor, a tutor or a learning specialist if needed.
  8. Develop summary sheets for each class.
  9. Link new information to things you already know. Forming these associations will help you retrieve information later.
  10. Check the front of your textbook to see if the publisher provides any online study aids.
  11. Set specific measurable goals for each study session to keep yourself on track.
  12. Create mnemonic devices, such as acrostics, rhymes or acronyms, to help you remember information.
  13. Take short breaks. Your brain can process a limited amount of information and benefits from some rest.
  14. Reward yourself with naturally enjoyable activities, such as playing X-box or clicking through Facebook.
  15. Stay healthy. Get some sleep and avoid caffeine. Seriously – your brain with thank you.
  16. Draw it. Create tables, diagrams, mind maps or pictures to represent and organize the information.
  17. Explain it aloud. Go into an empty classroom and pretend to teach the material to someone. Using your own words helps you assess your comprehension, which ultimately aids your memory.
  18. Study in a distraction-reduced environment. Turn off your cell phone, TV and email notifications.
  19. Identify examples or illustrations that embody the concept and demonstrate ways you will utilize the information.
  20. Attempt to answer the questions at the end of the chapter in your textbook.
  21. Quiz yourself. Cover up your notes and try to explain them. Create flashcards. If you find yourself struggling to remember, try different techniques to learn the material.
  22. Form a study group and develop a practice test together.
  23. Manage your anxiety. By listen to calming music, stretching or breathing deeply, you can avoid stress and release negative thoughts.
  24. Overlearn the material. When you think you are finished, keep going.

Finally, examine your beliefs about learning. It does not happen quickly and intelligence is not fixed. Stay positive and persist, believing that talent can be developed. You can learn material by working hard, seeking help and using effective strategies.

Spring Registration is Underway

Download your Class Choice form below and get your Spring classes!

End-of-Semester and Intersession GRC Services

There are only a few days left in the fall 2016 semester. The GRC will continue to support our students with all the services we offer throughout this week and during intersession from Monday, December 14, 2015 through Tuesday, December 22, 2015 and from Monday, January 4, 2016 through Friday, January 8, 2016. We will start announcing all our spring 2016 semester events in the upcoming weeks. Please contact our office if you have any questions. We wish everyone a sucessful end of the semester and a restful winter break!

One-on-One Consultations

You can schedule an appointment Monday through Friday to receive academic writing and statistics support, and planning for graduate school guidance. We also offer special help with grammar and editing Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Call or visit our office today to schedule and appointment!

Graduate Online Writing Laboratory (GrOWL)

The Graduate Online Writing Lab is an online support service available to graduate and professional students seeking feedback on their writing and research projects. Students can submit their written work, online 24/7, for review by GRC consultants who are PhD students that have been trained to provide peer review feedback.

UNM Parent Association Jiffy Lube Student Discount

Dear UNM Parents and Students,

The UNM Parent Association is pleased to once again partner with the Albuquerque Jiffy Lube Corporate Office to provide our students traveling home with a free of charge, safe vehicle inspection. If there is a need for any repair, Jiffy Lube has extended a 10% UNM Student discount. This offer is available at the 21 locations in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Bosque Farms.

In order to take advantage of this offer, students simply print out the attached form and present it with their LOBO ID to a Jiffy Lube location in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Bosque Farms.

We encourage students to get the inspection early and not immediately before they are leaving town to avoid any possible vehicle troubles. They may find that there is work that needs to be done and can’t be done in just a few minutes which can be scheduled at a later date.

Our ultimate goal is to assist students traveling home safe passage. This service provides a great comfort to families and stresses the importance of having their vehicles checked before heading home for any trip, and especially for the holidays.

Wishing you and your family happy holidays!

I think there's no higher calling in terms of a career than public service, which is a chance to make a difference in people's lives and improve the world. - United States Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew
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