Key VMRC Roles
Meet the VMRC Office
Get to know the team supporting military-affiliated Lobos.
The First Faces You'll Meet
Meet Our VA Work-Study Team
The VA Work-Study team is often the first friendly face you'll meet when you visit the Veteran & Military Resource Center. As military-affiliated students themselves, they understand the transition to college and the experience of using VA education benefits firsthand.
Whether you're checking in for an appointment, looking for the right resource, or have questions about your education benefits, our work-study students are here to help. They proudly serve as the welcoming face of our office and are always ready to connect you with the staff member best equipped to assist you.
 | Staff Member NameDirectorMilitary Affiliation: To be updated What I Help With: To be updated Things I Enjoy: To be updated tobeupdated@unm.edu |
Brandon LorenzoSupervisor, Student SuccessWith the VMRC Since: Spring 2016Military Affiliation: U.S. Army Veteran What I Help With: As the Supervisor of 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. Favorite Part of My Job: Helping veterans, service members, and their families achieve their educational goals during and after military service. Things I Enjoy: Traveling, spending time with family, and being a dad. brandonlorenzo1@unm.edu |  |
 | Jesse PreciadoStudent Success Specialist, Sr.With the VMRC Since: 2018Military Affiliation: Marine Corps Veteran What I Help With: 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. Favorite Part of My Job: I enjoy meeting military-affiliated students where they are in their journey and helping them successfully transition from military service to higher education and ultimately to civilian life. Things I Enjoy: Sports, coaching, music, and good food. jpreciado@unm.edu |
Chiaki RamirezVA School Certifying Official / Student Eligibility SpecialistWith the VMRC Since: Spring 2018Military Affiliation: U.S. Army Dependent What I Help With: 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 keep 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). Favorite Part of My Job: Seeing our students walk across the stage to receive their hard-earned diplomas. Things I Enjoy: Gardening, makeup, and hanging out with my furbabies. cramirez4@unm.edu |  |
 | Samantha GriswoldVA School Certifying Official / Student Eligibility SpecialistWith the VMRC Since: Spring 2025Military Affiliation: Marine Corps Veteran What I Help With: As a VA School Certifying Official, Samantha 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. Samantha certifies students using CH 33 with last names I-Z and all Chapter 35. Favorite Part of My Job: Seeing students continue to progress in their degrees and reach their academic goals. Things I Enjoy: DIY home projects, astrology, anime, and hanging out with my son and furbabies. sgrizlo@unm.edu |
Regi ReyesOutreach CoordinatorWith the VMRC Since: Summer 2026Military Affiliation: To be updated. What I Help With: To be updated. Favorite Part of My Job: To be updated. Things I Enjoy: To be updated. email@unm.edu | |
 | Vita PreciadoAdministrative Assistant 1With the VMRC Since: Fall 2022Military Affiliation: Marine Corps Dependent What I Help With: As an Administrative Assistant, Vita supports the daily operations of the Veteran & Military Resource Center and helps ensure students have a positive experience from the moment they contact or visit our office. Vita assists with front desk and phone inquiries, coordinates schedules, maintains office records, processes administrative forms, supports special projects, and helps manage the office's budgets, payroll, and other behind-the-scenes operations that keep our office running efficiently. Favorite Part of My Job: Helping student veterans and military-connected students achieve their educational goals by building relationships, guiding them through the benefits process, and supporting them throughout their journey at UNM. Things I Enjoy: Spending time with my family, attending football games, volunteering in the community, and enjoying a good cup of coffee. vpreciado1@unm.edu |
Irvine "Mia" PasquierVetSuccess on Campus (VSOC)With the VMRC Since: Fall 2023Military Affiliation: U.S. Army Veteran What I Help With: 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! Favorite Part of My Job: To be updated. Things I Enjoy: To be updated. irvine.pasquier@va.gov |  |
