Meet UNM’s Emerging Lobo Leaders: peers helping peers

Being a new student at a university can be overwhelming - akin to stepping into a maze with no map. At the University of New Mexico, one student-run organization is helping Lobos find their way.

Emerging Lobo Leaders (ELL) empowers students and equips them with the knowledge to make informed decisions for themselves and their college experience, proving that learning leadership skills can start on day one.

It is a student-run agency that offers a semester-long program, created by students to help their peers find their niche on campus. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing student organizations. Transfer students, first-year students and returning students alike have turned to this organization for the direction it provides.

This fall, Emerson Garcia, a program alumnus, serves as the executive director and Bree Hawkins, a consistent and well-known ASUNM figure, is the assistant director.

Garcia and Hawkins have designed and will facilitate a three-month program that helps their peers build a foundation for a meaningful academic experience, while introducing the participants to the Associated Students of the University of New Mexico or ASUNM student government opportunities.

"I wanted to give back to the students and the group that has given so much to me," Emerson said about his decision to lead the program this year. "I'm a testament to how ELL can positively impact your college journey."

Hawkins shared that in her previous role as chief of staff for ASUNM she spent a lot of time with the previous ELL directors. "I found the group and its offerings to be very rewarding, and wished I had enrolled in it my freshman year. As the assistant director, I hope to be a part of its wonderful legacy for students and future directors."

The program offers group activities that foster professional and personal growth opportunities, including workshops on learning about professionalism, exploring leadership skills, connecting students with student mentors and fostering friendships.

Fall registrants will have the opportunity to attend several workshops featuring guest speakers, including Nasha Torrez, the dean of students, Eric Scott, the VP of student affairs, Ryan Lindquist, the director of the Student Activity Center, among many others. Garcia and Hawkins have also planned fun networking nights to foster friendship building, including a night at Empire Board Games and Top Golf.

As Garcia and Hawkins work with their team to guide this semester's ELL participants, the impact of Emerging Lobo Leaders will reach far beyond the workshops and networking nights. The program cultivates confidence, a sense of belonging, and provides a sense of purpose to its participants. The participants graduate at the end of each semester knowing that they are an important part of the UNM community.