Our staff supports the College of Population Health as well as participates in UNM academics and research. On this page, we celebrate their accomplishments and share them with you.
Kimberly Wu recently completed her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at the Tulane University Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Her dissertation, Mental Health Trajectories and Career Factors Salient to First-Generation Public Health Graduates in the United States, explores the mental health, career development, and workforce experiences of first-generation public health graduates, with particular attention to the experiences of first-generation students of color.
Drawing from her lived experiences as a first-generation scholar, and a commitment to equity in public health education, Wu’s research examines how stress, resilience, mentorship, and structural inequities shape professional identity, mental health outcomes, and career trajectories. Her work contributes to ongoing conversations about workforce sustainability, graduate student support, and equitable pathways into the public health profession.
Completing this research was also deeply personal for Kim, who welcomed the birth of two children during the course of her doctoral journey. This dissertation reflects not only years of academic and professional dedication, but also a profound personal commitment to uplifting the experiences, challenges, and voices of first-generation students navigating public health training and careers. Her work was shaped and sustained by the encouragement, mentorship, and care of colleagues, friends, family, and a community whose support made this achievement possible.
Bernice Madrid earns Doctorate in Education (EdD)Ms. Sedillo has been a member of the UNM family for over 18 years and is currently the Student Success Manager at the College of Population Health. Her expertise is working with students to achieve their academic goals and support programs mission and vision statements of programs to ensure that awards, budget and administrative policies, procedures and agency requirements are considered in day to day functions. She has extensive knowledge of the COPH curriculum, student recruitment and retention, and resources available to students. Ms. Sedillo encourages staff to reach their potential and leads by example. While at UNM, she received a bachelor of science in nutrition, a graduate certificate in maternal child health and now a master’s degree in public administration. Ms. Sedillo has been a prime example of staff as students and the College of Population Health is proud of her accomplishments and commitment. |
 Bernice Madrid, MA, EdD |
Arely Unger serves as a Program Coordinator at the University of New Mexico College of Population Health, where she supports student success and program operations. In her role, she works closely with students, faculty, and staff to coordinate enrollment processes, ensure adherence to academic policies, and help create a supportive learning environment. Her work reflects a strong commitment to student-centered services and the advancement of public health education. While working full-time, Arely earned her Master’s degree in Educational Administration, demonstrating her dedication to both professional growth and higher education. Her graduate studies strengthened her knowledge in leadership, organizational systems, and student support, which she brings directly into her role. Arely is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals and is committed to contributing to the development of a strong and diverse public health workforce in New Mexico.
Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce: Leadership ABQ 2024Leadership Albuquerque graduated its 2024 cohort at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, including our own Amanda Ortiz. The beauty of the Leadership ABQ program is that it's members are given a new perspective. It's an investment in developing leaders, not only for the companies that sent them, but for the community. |
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Pamela Sedillo, MPA, Student Success Manager, has been awarded funding by The Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR). The Advancing Anti-Racism in a Maternal Child Health Curriculum grant will focus on adapting the current maternal child health curriculum to include the impacts of structural racism in the United States. The project objectives are to introduce students in the BSPH and MPH programs to the concepts of racism and anti-racism, to have them distinguish between racism and anti-racism, and to define and discuss structural racism and how it is related to maternal child health through a clinical and public health lens.
COPH Student Success Manager Earns a Master's Degree in Public AdministrationMs. Sedillo has been a member of the UNM family for over 18 years and is currently the Student Success Manager at the College of Population Health. Her expertise is working with students to achieve their academic goals and support programs mission and vision statements of programs to ensure that awards, budget and administrative policies, procedures and agency requirements are considered in day to day functions. She has extensive knowledge of the COPH curriculum, student recruitment and retention, and resources available to students. Ms. Sedillo encourages staff to reach their potential and leads by example. While at UNM, she received a bachelor of science in nutrition, a graduate certificate in maternal child health and now a master’s degree in public administration. Ms. Sedillo has been a prime example of staff as students and the College of Population Health is proud of her accomplishments and commitment. |
 Pamela Sedillo, MPA |