Honor students planning to enroll in a weekly seminar this spring may already recognize the name of their instructor.
Gov. Bill Richardson will teach a 400-level seminar entitled, "How New Mexico State Government Works: The Key Players and the Key Issues."
The class is one of several seminars reserved for University honors and graduate students. It will meet Fridays in Dane Smith Hall from 2 to 4:30 p.m.
Chris Bibeau said he plans to take the seminar, although Richardson's views on politics are far different from his own.
"I'm really interested in the way government works," he said. "So I'll approach it with an open mind, and we'll see."
Richardson will donate the stipend he receives from UNM to a scholarship fund. He wrote about his intentions to students in a statement on Monday.
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"I enjoy teaching and look forward to the opportunity to engage students in a productive discussion about the issues that matter most to New Mexicans," he said. "I want this class to be more than a series of lectures on state government. I want to lead a dialogue about how we improve New Mexico's schools, create high-wage jobs, take drunk drivers off the street and expand access to high-quality health care."
Richardson said it's important for students to understand state government impacts their lives.
"I hope to bring young people into public service," he said.
The emphasis in upper-level seminars is on intensive reading, writing and discussion in which reasoned self-expression and critical thinking are valued and rewarded, according to the honors program Web site.
Rosalie Otero, director of the University Honors Program, said she is excited Richardson has agreed to take time out of his busy schedule to share his knowledge with UNM students.
Otero said the University is always interested in learning from people who are especially qualified and experienced.
"Who better than the governor of the state?" Otero said.
Required readings for the class include the Albuquerque Journal and The New York Times. Students are also encouraged to listen to AM radio shows hosted by Jim Villanucci and Larry Ahrens.
Honor student Angie Pacheco said having someone step in and teach a short seminar diminishes the hard work of full-time honors program faculty and staff.
She said too many students might enroll in the class just to be able to say they took a course taught by the governor.
"If you're able to learn and gain something from the course, the initial reason for enrolling doesn't matter," Bibeau said.
Graduate student Jessica Gonzales said she looks forward to Richardson's weekly class.
"No one knows more about the way a state operates than its governor," she said. "You can sit and hear lectures from your instructors, but we students rarely get the opportunity to hear directly from a sitting elected official."
Before Richardson was elected governor, he taught at Northern New Mexico Community College, United World College in Montezuma and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
