by Brandale Mills
Daily Lobo
Mayor Martin Ch†vez will draw on his personal experience in government when he teaches his first class at UNM in the fall.
"I'll only use that personal experience as a starting point in discussions," he said. "That, of course, will be intertwined with amusing anecdotes."
The class is a seminar course focusing on careers in city and state government.
Peter White, dean of University College, designed the course, which is offered as part of career awareness seminars for sophomores.
"Too many students discontinue their education because they lack sufficient information and guidance to enable them to choose a major and career," White said in the course description booklet.
Ch†vez said he is excited to work with students.
"I love being in class with students," he said. "I'm at a point in life where frankly, I know a bunch of things and enjoy imparting them."
Barbara Widhalm, a coordinator of the Sophomore Seminar Sessions, said they are designed to open windows to career opportunities for students.
"With this program, the student has a better chance of achieving in life," she said. "It also helps the student succeed in college."
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There are 13 sections of the seminars, offering classes in business, nursing, engineering, government and law.
Student Theodore Hamblin said he would consider taking the seminar taught by the mayor, because the mayor has firsthand experience with local government.
"It would definitely be beneficial to take the course if he brought along real life experiences," he said.
The seminar will be worth one credit.
Students will take field trips to city government offices and get an opportunity to meet with a variety of professionals.
Ch†vez's seminar will educate students about the politics of being an elected official or city employee. The course will also teach what qualifications and skills make a good candidate and official.
Hamblin said the mayor will have to be entertaining to make an impact on students during his seminar sessions.
"I welcome the opportunity to have a mayor teach at our school," he said. "It's good he's involved in the community, and the community should respond positively."
Student Kathryn Olguin agreed taking a seminar from the mayor may bring future career opportunities.
"After taking his course, the mayor could put in a good word for future job positions," she said.
Though the program is targeted at second-year students, any student can register, Widhalm said.
There is a 10-student cap per section to provide a better student-instructor relationship, she said.
The mayor's class is still open for registration.
Widhalm said that by having well-known professionals such as the mayor teach the classes, the program is unlike any other.
"The volunteers are pretty unique among other universities," she said. "The community cooperation is very important, and it should have a positive impact on the students."
All teachers volunteer their time, she said.
Ch†vez said he looks forward to joining other politicians who have taught classes on campus, including Gov. Bill Richardson.
"It's great to have elected officials that have experience teach classes," he said. "It's really invaluable. It's good for us to be interacting with students and maybe even talking a little bit about politics."
- Katy Knapp contributed to this report.
