The UNM chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has been rechartered as of March 2021. The club is led by President Jesus Mata, Vice President Gordon Payne, Director of Communications Shane Farias, Secretary Adam Evarts and Treasurer Gabriel Saiz. All are students in the Communications and Journalism Department. 

The chapter, which is recognized by the national SPJ, has a long history at UNM but fell dormant during the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. The new leadership plans to launch a club website and social media accounts to promote its work -- including three events in April.  

In early April, SPJ appointee Shane Farias will take a seat on the UNM Board of Student Publications, which will select the next Daily Lobo editor-in-chief. In late April,  the board will elect editors for Conceptions Southwest and Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review publications.  

Meanwhile, on April 9, SPJ’s Region 9 virtual conference is taking place. Region 9 consists of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming and will feature two one-hour training sessions as the awarding of the region’s Mark of Excellence Award for outstanding student journalism. 

The UNM_SPJ chapter is also planning a “Back to Basics,” workshop in which it hopes to present in collaboration with the professional SPJ chapter in New Mexico, SPJ Rio Grande.   

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