Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, vice president for Student Affairs announced recently the appointment of Brandi Stone as the new permanent director for UNM African American Student Services. Stone was chosen from a group of highly-qualified applicants collected through a national search.
Stone has been serving in the role on an interim basis since the retirement of longtime director, Scott Carreathers. During her time as interim director, Stone also served as the AASS Special Advisor to the President and will continue to do so in her new capacity.
A UNM alumni, Stone received both her BS in Political Science, and her MA in Public Administration. Throughout her seven-year tenure with AASS she has served in numerous capacities beginning in a work-study position and transitioning into various professional roles.
As interim director she led the development, expansion, and implementation of undergraduate and graduate programs inclusive of targeted recruitment, first-year mentoring, and research exposure through the annual research symposium. She also worked on retention-based programming including the new Black Minds Matter transition course and the Black Cultural Conference which has gained regional participation from Black scholars and practitioners.
“I have known Brandi since she was a student leader and senator for ASUNM, and I have watched grow professionally over that time,” said Torres. “I am confident that she will carry her achievements into her new role as she continues to serve and improve the lives of our students.”
Stone says one of her goals in 2020 is to continue to engage students through initiatives and programming already set out in 2019, such as peer mentoring, alternative spring break research and service learning, and identity development. She will also continue to grow specific programming to meet the needs of Black student graduates.
“I am really excited to have the opportunity to continue to enhance and develop new ways we cultivate Black Excellence on our campus and in our community,” Stone says. “My goal is to continue to develop these initiatives into department signature programming to better assist Black students in their transition to our campus community.”
Stone officially takes the helm on Wednesday, Jan. 1 2020.
For more information on AASS initiatives and programs, visit the AASS website.