Glenda Lewis of the College of Education will be the next president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, according to a GPSA announcement.
Lewis said she plans to bring a lot to the position and intends to foster relationships among UNM administration and departments as well as graduate and undergraduate students.
“My campaign slogan was ‘Re-Thinking Engagement,’ and I firmly believe that we, as a Division I research institution, have to reconsider what engagement really means and come together as a community,” she said. “If we only stay within our departments we are missing out on the opportunity to not only network, but engage in interdisciplinary scholarship and research.”
Lewis said she also believes that through engaging in interdisciplinary scholarship and research, UNM has the potential to generate additional sustainable funding sources that will benefit graduate and professional students.
In the future, she said, GPSA will sponsor departmental open-houses, community engagement outings and intra-campus sports challenges. Lewis is hopeful that through these efforts UNM will build campus solidarity and improve its ability to problem-solve as a community.
Lewis said she believes her two-year involvement with GPSA, in addition to providing her with working relationships with many constituents, will help in her upcoming presidency.
“This position requires someone that can not only listen to the people but also be an advocate for the people as well,” she said. “I am confident that my years of being a member of the University of New Mexico community and valuing our mission and vision will be guiding points throughout the year.”
Lewis commended outgoing president Texanna Martin for her accomplishments during her two terms in office.
“(She) has done a great job of bringing more people to the table and encouraging student voice, and I wish to continue on this path,” she said. “I believe that we can follow through with the established momentum and strengthen campus relationships.”
Lewis has a double concentration degree in American Studies, focusing on race, class and ethnicity as well as popular culture, she said. Lewis also has a master’s in secondary education.
She has experience teaching in a variety of academic environments — including Albuquerque Public Schools and UNM — something she said will help her adapt to her role as GPSA president.
“I believe that my ability to work with diverse groups of people will benefit me most,” Lewis said. “As a PhD candidate and scholar in language, literacy and sociocultural studies, I am a critical thinker and problem solver, which will definitely benefit me in this leadership position.”
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Matthew Reisen is the news editor for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo.
