UNM associate professor receives Inaugural NMBA Innovation & Workforce Development Award

UNM James and Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership Associate Professor Dimitri Kapelianis, Ph.D., has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) Innovation and Workforce Development Award. Kapelianis will be recognized at the NMBA Awards Gala on June 5 for his ongoing commitment to developing young professionals through his teaching and leadership at the Center for Sales and Business Development.

The newly established award was created by NMBA to honor individuals and organizations that are helping shape the future workforce of New Mexico while building meaningful connections between education, innovation, and industry. The NMBA specifically recognized the Rich Ford Sales Role Play Competition as one of several examples demonstrating the professionalism, expertise, and preparedness of students within the sales center.

Kapelianis, a faculty member in the Department of Marketing, Information, and Decision Sciences, has taught courses in professional selling and marketing strategy at UNM since 2009.

Kapelianis emphasizes a people-centered approach to that prioritizes building relationships. This approach equips students with valuable skills that can be applied across industries and career paths.

In addition to his contributions in the classroom, Kapelianis has served in several academic leadership roles, including a term as associate dean. He now serves as the faculty lead for the Center for Sales and Business Development.

Under Kapelianis' leadership, the center has played a key role in providing professional development opportunities for students and strengthening partnerships with industry leaders across New Mexico and beyond. His work has consistently emphasized practical and experiential learning that equip students with the skills needed to succeed in today's workforce. This past semester alone, the center facilitated 44 student placements in full-time, part-time, and summer internship roles. These placements are across 16 unique companies with the majority being based in New Mexico.

"I'm honored to receive this award from the New Mexico Broadcasters' Association. This award means a great deal because it celebrates exactly what we're trying to build at the UNM Sales Center: a pipeline of New Mexico talent ready to communicate, connect, and lead," said Kapelianis. "When I see our students step into roles with companies right here in the state, I'm reminded that preparing the next generation of professionals is the most rewarding work there is. I'm grateful to NMBA for recognizing that mission, and to the partners who make it possible."

In his research, Kapelianis has focused on international management and marketing, with a specific interest in emerging markets.

Congratulations are extended to Associate Professor Kapelianis on this distinguished recognition, which reflects his continued dedication to students and the business community.

The James and Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership:
As of May 8, 2026, the UNM Anderson School of Management was renamed to The James and Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership in honor of a transformative $30 million gift. Read more about the Ellis family and the historic gift.