Daily Lobo: Most students are not knowledgeable about the various roles of a UNM regent. To get a better understanding, can you describe the main function of the UNM Board of Regents?
Sandra Begay-Campbell: Our main function is to oversee and implement policies that pertain to the University of New Mexico. We are also in charge of selecting a new president, and thereafter monitoring his or her performance.
DL: What qualifications do you possess that make you suitable for surveying on the regents?
SBC: I am qualified because I've been an advocate of both higher education and Native American education. To serve on the board, you must be appointed by the state governor, and I was appointed by Gov. Gary Johnson in 2001. My six-year term will end in 2006, so it will be the current governor's decision if he wants to reappoint me.
DL: What have you accomplished while serving with the UNM Board of Regents?
SBC: As secretary of the UNM Board of Regents, I have served on the search committee for a new president and have since been monitoring his performance.
DL: What are your aspirations for your current term?
SBC: At the moment, I am working hard to organize a tribal summit, which would set up dialogue between 22 tribal leaders from around the state of New Mexico. My plan is to engage the leaders' interest in UNM's opportunities and intent to serve the Native American communities. I hope the Board of Regents officially adopts the objectives which address the issues identified in our tribal summit plans, and the University pursues the prioritized initiatives to move UNM to national prominence for Native American programs.
DL: What has been your biggest frustration as a board member?
SBC: There have been many frustrations that I've encountered since being appointed, and many had to do with the election of a new governor. My former colleague, Maria Griego-Raby, was not reappointed, which was disappointing because she was a great colleague. Nonetheless, I am getting along with all of the regents, so this makes it much less stressful when we come together as a board.
DL: What has been your toughest decision as a board member?
SBC: I have had to make so many tough decisions that I couldn't measure them just by thinking back. At almost every meeting there are tough decisions to make, whether they pertain to tuition or parking fees. Having to help pick a new president was a tough decision, and trying to help the new president adjust was also hard work. There are a lot of tough decisions to make at a university, but I think we are doing a pretty good job these days.
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DL: What was your occupation prior to becoming a board member of UNM Regents?
SBC: Regents are volunteers with full-time jobs. Outside of being a board member, I work for Sandia Laboratories as an engineer with tribal energy programs. I specialize in renewable energy such as solar power or wind.
DL: If given the opportunity, would you ever become president of the UNM regents?
SBC: I've seen what Jamie Koch has done, and it looks like an incredibly time-consuming job. It would be a great challenge in which I would have to think hard about before accepting.
DL: When the time comes to step down from the board, what do you want to be remembered as?
SBC: I want to be remembered as someone who was consistent and fair, someone who had the university in mind while making decisions.
DL: New Mexico State University is trying to change their mascot. Would you ever change the Lobo?
SBC: No, never. I really love our logo because it isn't any specific person or ethnic group, as opposed to the Washington Redskins or any other Native American mascot. I'm just thankful that we don't have to deal with something that would offend others.
DL: How do you feel being the only non-student female board member?
SBC: I feel kind of lonely. I'm the little gnat on everyone's arm that tries to keep both minorities and women in mind. While making a decision, I try to keep everyone in mind, which includes faculty, volunteers, students and the community.
DL: Being that you are an engineer, what advice would you give to female students that are aspiring to be engineers?
SBC: I would advise them to stay encouraged because there are other people like themselves that are going into the field. It's a pretty tough road, and one must realize its difficulty. One must have a passion for helping people as well as thinking out problems.
DL: Being that you are Native American, how would you like to help other Native Americans enroll at the University?
SBC: I think a lot of it is trying to create an institution that accepts who they are and encourages them to graduate. We need to work on that to make UNM a better university for all. We must be looking into different ways to improve their success.
- Chris Sanchez
