The College of Arts & Sciences and The UNM Alumni Association invite students to join alumni at “Pizza with Professionals” on April 24th
April 10, 2023 - Geneva Sandoval Dinallo & Talullah Begaye
For students who are thinking of how they can apply their degrees to their future careers, the Alumni Association’s Pizza With Professionals series gives them an up close and personal lens into their potential futures. By teaming up with alumni, students are given one-to-one access to a panel of professionals - and pizza - to learn how they have applied their experiences here at UNM to become experts within their own fields.
On Monday, April 24th, College of Arts & Sciences students will benefit from a third installment of this special series focusing on some of the Humanities and Social Sciences programs. Interim Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Janie Chermak, will co-host the event with Alumni Association President, Amy Miller, and an open Q&A will take place after the initial introductions.
The featured panelists will be:
Damon Carbajal (Chicana/o Studies, 20): Damon R. Carbajal (he/él) is a Chicanx educator, scholar, and activist who identifies as gay and queer. He also earned a B.A. in Secondary Education with a minor in Theatre and a graduate certificate in "Race" and Social Justice from the University of New Mexico. Currently, Mr. Carbajal serves as the Managing Director for GLSEN NM and sits on the board of the New Mexico Educational Theatre Association, in addition to teaching Chicanx/American Studies at Central New Mexico Community College. His work centers on promoting equity and social justice for the LGBTQIA+, Chicanx, and LGBTQIA+ Chicanx communities by elevating marginalized voices through intersectionality, resisting oppressive systems, and empowering students, educators, and community members.
Stephanie Salazar (Native American Studies & Political Science, 20): Stephanie (Diné) is the Assistant General Counsel at the Pueblo of Sandia. Before joining the Pueblo, she worked as the General Counsel at the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department and supported the department as Senior Policy Analyst, focusing on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force. She was also the Tribal Prosecutor for the Pueblo of Isleta and supervised their Victim Services Program. Stephanie also holds a Juris Doctorate with a certificate in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico School of Law. She is also an esteemed member of the New Mexico State Bar.
Bennie Francisco Jr. (Native American Studies, 20) : Bennie Francisco Jr. is a Diné (Navajo) from Prewitt, New Mexico. After attending the University of New Mexico, a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Currently, he serves as the Tribal Court Assessment Director for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office Justice Services. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at the University of New Mexico in the Native American Studies Department, where he teaches indigenous research, law, and policy-related courses. Bennie is fluent in the Diné language and an advocate for Diné culture and tradition.
Pizza With Professionals will take place on Monday, April 24th from 12:00 - 1:00 in Ortega Hall 335.
