Louie Awards
Please help us congratulate the 2024 Louie Award winners!
UNM Faculty Leader of the Pack
Dr. Elif Tunc-Ozcan
Department of Neurosciences
Howling Best Employee
Jorge García
El Centro de la Raza
UNM Staff Leader of the Pack
Dr. Heather Mechler
Office of Institutional Analytics
Star Lobo Student Employee
Katie Farmin
Accessibility Resource Center
Outstanding Pack
Veteran & Military Resource Center
Student Affairs Generosity Award
Matt and Kathy Mathai
Award Criteria
UNM Faculty Leader of the Pack
Faculty member outside the Division of Student Affairs, who performs tasks beyond their regularly assigned duties that significantly enhance some aspect of student life at UNM.
- Creates a climate for continued improvement in the student body affecting most members of the student body; or
- Works on activities with a group of students, including special interest organizations; or
- Takes time outside their scheduled office hours to help students succeed academically.
UNM Staff Leader of the Pack
Staff member outside the Division of Student Affairs, who performs tasks beyond their regularly assigned duties that significantly enhance some aspect of student life at UNM.
- Creates a climate for continued improvement in the student body affecting most members of the student body; or
- Works on activities with a group of students, including special interest organizations; or
- Goes above and beyond their duties to help students succeed.
Lobo Star Student Employee
A student employee within Student Affairs.
- Is in good academic standing; and
- Contributes to the goals and mission of their respective department(s); and
- Is a model employee; and
- Contributes outside of his/her community and within the university.
Student Affairs Cub Award
A new Student Affairs employee.
- Started their position within Student Affairs on or after January 2022; and
- Contributes to the goals and mission of their respective department(s); and
- Shows leadership qualities by modeling excellence, integrity, inclusivity, communication, and is transformative.
Howling Best Employee
A staff person from within Student Affairs who has provided a significant contribution that benefits a program or department.
- Previously nominated staff may be nominated again; however, they are not eligible to win the award if they won the award the prior year.
- The staff person nominated must have been employed at least two years in the division and have at least .50 FTE status. (20 hours per week).
- Louie selection committee members are not eligible during their term of service on the committee.
- Directors are not eligible for this award
Outstanding Pack Department
Any UNM department.
- Have been actively involved in a community-engaged projects for at least one year; or
- Promote social justice and equity; or
- Create a culture of service within their program and wider community; or
- Take an active role in the strategic planning of projects and programs.
Click here for printable Awards Criteria document.
2023 Louie Winners
Kiyoko Simmons - UNM Staff Pack Member
Tamara Shannon - UNM Faculty Pack Member
Maria Szasz - UNM Faculty Pack Member
Michael Martinez - Lobo Star Student
Frankie McQuerry - Howling Best Employee
Women’s Resource Center - Outstanding Pack Department