Key VMRC Roles
Work-Studies
Our work studies are the first faces that you will see as you arrive in our office. Each of them uses some form of veteran or dependant benefits, so do not hesitate to ask them detailed questions regarding your benefit! Our work-studies are brimming with vet-specific information, and they are the vanguard of our office.
Administrative Roles
Below is a table of our administrative roles. Push each person's Title below their contact information read the qualifications and specialties of this VMRC staff member. If you have more particular questions that require specific direction, it will be clear that your message is being given to the correct member of our staff.
Alonzo MaestasStudent Success Team (505) 277.3181amaest77@unm.edu | Brandon LorenzoStudent Success Team | Jesse PreciadoStudent Success Team (505) 277.3181jpreciado@unm.edu |
As the Director, Alonzo’s main focus is to ensure that student veterans and their dependents are served well at UNM. He is the VMRC’s liaison to the UNM community, including career services, financial aid, admissions, the registrar’s office, student affairs, and the cultural resource centers, to name a few. He directs the daily operations of the VMRC, and is leading the department into a new era of multi-faceted assistance for students who are veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents. He furthers the VMRC’s mission by interacting with faculty, staff and departments on the VMRC’s behalf.
| As the Supervisor Student Success, Brandon wears many hats. Brandon promotes academic success for student veterans and their dependents and collaborates with academic advisement centers and other student support areas to ensure student success. Brandon also consults with students using VA educational benefits to ensure they are following program requirements to remain eligible for VA education benefits and graduation, meets with prospective students using VA education benefits regarding educational opportunities, and helps to interpret university and VA policies and requirements regarding VA benefits eligibility. Brandon also manages the work-studies in the office.
| As a Student Success Specialist, Sr. and the Veteran Services Coordinator for the VMRC’s Peer Advisor for Veteran Education (PAVE) Program at the Veteran & Military Resource Center, Jesse promotes academic success for military affiliated students and collaborates with academic advisement centers and other student support areas to ensure student success. |
Chiaki RamirezStudent Eligibility Specialist
(505)277.3181cramirez4@unm.edu | Vita PreciadoStudent Eligibility Specialist
(505)277.3181vpreciado1@unm.edu | Samantha GriswoldStudent Success Team |
As a VA School Certifying Official, Chiaki can answer VA education benefit specific questions, is responsible for monitoring courses pursued by students to be certified to VA that apply to the student’s academic degree/certificate program, and is able to differentiate between tuition and fee payments from other sources in order to properly certify tuition and fees to the VA. Chiaki reviews and verifies UNM’s catalog annually to keeps the VA updated on degrees and certificates available for VA education benefit use as well as the Air Force Tuition Assistance program. Chiaki certifies students using CH 33 with last names A-H, and all CH 31 (VR&E). | As a VA School Certifying Official, Vita can answer VA education benefit specific questions, is responsible for monitoring courses pursued by students to be certified to VA that apply to the student’s academic degree/certificate program, and is able to differentiate between tuition and fee payments from other sources in order to properly certify tuition and fees to the VA. Vita certifies all students using CH 33 with last names I-Z and all Chapter 35. | As the Outreach Coordinator. Samantha is responsible for outreach to the university. She ensures that student veterans and dependents are aware of the Veteran & Military Resource Center, and that university departments, faculty, staff, and advisors are aware of the services that the VMRC offers, including Green Zone training for faculty and staff. Samantha keeps in regular contact with resources available throughout UNM that will assist student veterans and their dependents to succeed, and also keeps an updated list of scholarships student veterans can apply for. |
Irvine "Mia" Pasquier
(505) 277.1596Irvine.Pasquier@va.gov | ||
| Mia is our liaison from the VA who is well-versed in the VetSuccess and VocReadiness programs. She addresses concerns that have mainly VA implications. More details on these services can be found on our VetSuccess page! |
