Booky will serve for two and a half years on the TRIO New Mexico Executive Board. Throughout her term, Booky also will serve as a state representative on the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs Board, a regional association that represents Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas TRIO Programs.
“It is such an honor to be able to serve my state and a program I am so passionate about in this capacity,” Booky said. “My main goal for my term is to strengthen an already close-knit TRIO New Mexico Association so that all TRIO Programs at New Mexico universities can work together for the benefit of the TRIO staff and TRIO participants.”
Booky joined NMSU’s TRIO staff in 2014 as an administrative assistant. In 2015, she became a mentor coordinator, before her current position as program director in 2022.
“I am delighted that the New Mexico TRIO Association membership has elected Bernadine to lead advocacy efforts on behalf of potential and current first-generation college students,” said Tony Marin, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. “Bernadine’s leadership will enhance both the New Mexico TRIO and the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Program organizations. Bernadine will represent New Mexico State University and our seven TRIO programs very well.”
Booky previously served on the TRIO New Mexico Board when she was treasurer from 2019-2021.
“I plan to strengthen the communication between the state, region and national associations to help advocate and bring opportunities to students across New Mexico,” she said. “I also want to mentor and empower TRIO professional staff to step into and seek leadership opportunities. New Mexico has so much talent and knowledge that I would like to make sure we can build upon that, and retain the strong, hardworking and dedicated TRIO professionals we have in this state. Education truly takes a village, and TRIO is a very strong village.”
A two-time NMSU graduate, Booky earned a bachelor’s degree in 2008 and master’s degree in 2009 in agricultural and extension education.
“I am an NMSU alumna who never passes up an opportunity to talk to others about my positive college experience and the abundance of support and resources NMSU has to offer to make a college degree a reality,” Booky said. “NMSU is a powerhouse when it comes to the free resources that are available for students, and I want students to be aware of that when they are making their college decisions.”
For more information on TRIO New Mexico, visit https://www.trionewmexico.com.
- Written by Tiffany Acosta
