June 19, 2012 | By Steve Carr

The UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion Schol­ar­ship Com­mit­tee recently awarded $40,000 in schol­ar­ships to stu­dents for the 2012–13 aca­d­e­mic year. Forty stu­dents were the recip­i­ents of var­i­ous $1,000 schol­ar­ships includ­ing eight grad­u­ate stu­dents and 32 undergrads.

It’s the fourth time in the Association’s short four-year exis­tence that it has been able to award schol­ar­ships. The UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion Schol­ar­ship Com­mit­tee also awarded 30 schol­ar­ships last aca­d­e­mic year (2011–12), six schol­ar­ships in 2010-11 and four schol­ar­ships in 2009-10.

“We are for­tu­nate to be able to offer these schol­ar­ships to both under­grad and grad­u­ate stu­dents dur­ing these tough eco­nomic times,” said Maria Probasco, past pres­i­dent, UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion. “Through our fundrais­ing efforts, which include numer­ous activ­i­ties designed to involve par­ents, we have raised more than $80,000 for stu­dent schol­ar­ships the past four years.”

The UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion has a short his­tory, but it has made giant strides since that time. In 2006, a Par­ent Rela­tions office was founded. In 2007, the UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion began as a Par­ent Advi­sory Board. In April 2008, under the lead­er­ship and sup­port of then UNM Pres­i­dent David Schmidly and his wife, Janet, and with approval from the UNM Board of Regents, it offi­cially became the UNM Par­ent Association.

In their efforts to secure suc­cess of the Asso­ci­a­tion, five found­ing mem­bers of the UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion who also served two con­sec­u­tive terms or total of five years of ded­i­cated vol­un­teer ser­vice since the Association’s inception.

They include: Christina Kit­sos, Angela Koury, Nick Manole, Hon­orary Mem­ber Bob Notary and Probasco. The mem­bers were rec­og­nized at the June 12, UNM Board of Regents meet­ing where each was rec­og­nized and received a plaque for their vol­un­teer ser­vice and their com­mit­ment to the Association.

The Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion also has shared gov­er­nance with the Board of Regents as the Asso­ci­a­tion Pres­i­dent is also a Regent Advi­sor. Maria Probasco hav­ing served in this capac­ity for the past four years as the Association’s first President.

Since those hum­ble begin­nings back in 2007, UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion has grown by leaps and bounds. Now, with more than 8,000 mem­bers, 17 annual events and activ­i­ties, $80,000 in schol­ar­ships awarded the past four years and a $15,000 Schol­ar­ship Endow­ment, the UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion has proven the need for an Asso­ci­a­tion by par­ents, for parents.

“We have more than 8,000 mem­ber par­ents, which is indica­tive to me that there was a need for the Uni­ver­sity of New Mex­ico to offi­cially rec­og­nize par­ents and the role they play in their child’s edu­ca­tion by stay­ing con­nected and engaged with their stu­dent and the Uni­ver­sity,” said Probasco. “It is also impor­tant to note the level of events and activ­i­ties the Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion coor­di­nates yearly, which shows the large num­ber of par­ent vol­un­teers and their involve­ment with the Asso­ci­a­tion. Indeed, the UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion is leav­ing its mark at the Uni­ver­sity of New Mex­ico for future gen­er­a­tions of par­ents and students.”

For more infor­ma­tion and how you can become involved, visit: UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion.

Media con­tact: Steve Carr, (505) 277‑1821; email: scarr@unm.edu

Image: Events such as Par­ent Day at The Pit, which also includes a silent auc­tion, have enabled the UNM Par­ent Asso­ci­a­tion to award stu­dent schol­ar­ships each of the past four years.