UNM-LA Development Director Karen Williams speaking Feb. 4 to Kiwanis members. Courtesy/Kiwanis 

By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos

At our Feb. 4 meeting, the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos heard a presentation from UNM-Los Alamos Development Director Karen Williams who talked about her background, fundraising activities, and plans and goals for the future.

Her first foray into fundraising was working for the United Way. She then got involved in higher education fundraising with Trinity College and Pomona College and is now with UNM-LA obtaining donation funding to help grow their programs and educational options.

Williams explained that one of her approaches was starting a grassroots campaign asking for staff participation in pledging a few dollars per month toward the campus programs. This has been a success and has also engendered a feeling of vested interest by those donating.

The Los Alamos Community Foundation has also provided funds for UNM-LA. This February, the institution is introducing their UNM Big Give campaign to allow anyone to provide funding for scholarships, aid to students, and instructional materials and equipment. All of the above donations will be matched dollar for dollar through a US Department of Education grant.

Through funds received, the university has been able to add several new programs. These include Python Programming, Broadband-5G, IT and Cybersecurity, Emergency Medical Technician, and Early Childhood Education. Williams said the goal of these programs was to provide education for local students to be able to live and work in Los Alamos. In February there will be an on-campus engineering celebration to involve and work with Los Alamos National Laboratory.