PAGSA
The Public Administration Graduate Student Association (PAGSA) exists to represent and serve graduate students in the School of Public Administration and other graduate students enrolled (degree and non-degree) in public administration courses without regard to UNM campus attendance. PAGSA sponsors activities to provide opportunities for students' academic, professional, and social growth.
PAGSA representatives work with other graduate and professional programs and their students through the Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA), to create and pass legislation that focuses on problems affecting graduate students. Please visit GSPA's website to see what initiatives GPSA is currently involved in.
To stay connected with upcoming events brought to you by PAGSA, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also, email pagsa@unm.edu to find out how to get involved.
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Get Involved
Interested in getting involved? PAGSA wants YOU to participate in various campaigns this semester. See below for ways to get involved.
Interested in doing more? Email PAGSA members below. They are here to represent and serve YOU so make your ideas and voice heard.
Feliz Baca, President
Feliz Baca (she/her/hers/ella) is a proud Nuevo Mexicana Chicana from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She holds a BA in Sociology and Anthropology from Middlebury College in Vermont with a focus on Critical Race Theory and Gender Studies. Feliz is in her second year at The University of New Mexico School of Public Administration where she is pursuing her Master's in Public Administration. Feliz’s career has spanned across non-profit, higher education, and local governmental realms which has given her a plethora of knowledge and experience in working with diverse public service professions. Most importantly, based on her personal and professional experience, Feliz is passionate about social, economic, and racial justice, and she is committed to fighting for justice for children, youth, and families across New Mexico and beyond. During her term as President, Feliz hopes to continue the momentum of last year's board and provide opportunities for learning, growing, and building community among SPA students, faculty, and alumni. Feel free to email Feliz at any time. She looks forward to serving you!
Nancy Jo Gonzales, Vice-President
Nancy Jo Gonzales is a New Mexico native, born and raised in Valencia County. She graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and is in her final year of obtaining a master’s degree in Public Administration. She currently works for Valencia County as the Director of Senior Services and Community Development. She is passionate about working for seniors and low-income residents in the rural areas of New Mexico. She serves on the Middle Rio Grande Valley Retired Senior Volunteer Program board and the Valencia County 100% Community Board where she works to advance access to services to underserved New Mexicans. Outside of her studies and work, she enjoys trail running, crossword puzzles, and fostering rescue dogs with her fiancé.
Karina Todechine, Secretary
Karina Todechine (She/Her/Hers/Asdzaa) is from TeecNosPos, Arizona, and is Navajo/Dine from the Water’s Edge Clan (Tabaaha) born for Coyote Pass Clan (Ma’iideeshgizhnii). She is a distance student who transferred to The University of New Mexico after obtaining her A.A. in Liberal Arts from San Juan College, holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from UNM, and was originally accepted into the Master of Public Administration program through the Shared-Credit Degrees Program. Karina currently works for Dine College as a Learning Center Coordinator and has previously worked for several years in various capacities within libraries. This is her fourth semester in the program, and she loves that the students are diverse, comes from a plethora of backgrounds and careers, make valuable contributions in and out of class, and genuinely support each other's endeavors. As Secretary, Karina looks forward to building community while contributing to positive learning, connection, and development opportunities for students.Bryan Rojas, GPSA Representative
I was elected to be your 2021-22 school year GPSA Representative! Like many of you, I was born and raised in Albuquerque, where I reside today, and obtained my undergraduate degree from the University of New Mexico. I am in my second year in the MPA program and am lucky enough to be a recipient of the Underrepresented Graduate Scholarship. I served in the Navy for 9 years; where I was able to travel abroad and experience a plethora of public workings, not only stateside but out of the country as well. I began my work in the public sector early on, working in the Criminalistics detail for the Albuquerque Police Department. This is where I was exposed to and found a niche for local government functions. I was elected to serve the State Central Committee (D-Bernalillo County) from 2019-2021 I continue to work in the civil service sector, on-base and feel that the experience gained having worked in various sectors of the government, primed me to serve in this position and be met with the utmost success. This will in turn provide our students within the SPA, not only with a voice on the council but with professional and career developing opportunities and resources.Jacinto-Temilotzin Sanchez, Event Planner/Public Relations Liaison
I am a Chicano born in El Paso, TX but my roots are New Mexican, from both my parents' sides. I am a single father of two teenage boys, Jacinto jr and Jullan, that I am blessed to guide them during these crucial years. I retired from the Army in 2018 and have since been going to school, starting at Central New Mexico Community College where I received my A.A. in Liberal Arts then transferred to the University of New Mexico, where I also did a study abroad in Ecuador and Perú. I obtained my Bachelor's in Liberal Arts degree, cum laude, in Spring 2021 while completing my first year of my Masters in Public Administration in the UNM shared credit program. I will graduate with my MPA in Spring 2022. After graduation, I will be returning for the summer to Perú to visit and put my degree to work with some nonprofits there. I hope that I can bring back to Albuquerque some valuable experiences. I look forward to serving as the Event Planner and Public Relations Liaison and with the mighty Lobo Pack, we will have some great events and get the word out about the power of change we possess as Public Administrators. I am always open to suggestions and together we will make 2021-2022 a celebration of life!
