{"id":181769,"date":"2016-09-02T09:14:28","date_gmt":"2016-09-02T15:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=181769"},"modified":"2016-09-02T09:14:28","modified_gmt":"2016-09-02T15:14:28","slug":"student-panelists-prep-for-qa-sessions-with-domenici-conference-speakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2016\/09\/student-panelists-prep-for-qa-sessions-with-domenici-conference-speakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Student panelists prep for Q&A sessions with Domenici Conference speakers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The fall semester may just be getting underway, but the group of university scholars serving as this year\u2019s Domenici<\/span> Public Policy Conference student panelists has already been busy for weeks. They’ve been preparing for the important role they\u2019ll play during the conference, set for Sept. 14 and 15<\/span><\/span> at the Las Cruces Convention Center.<\/p>\n

\"Kristen

Niki Rhynes \/ NMSU University Communications<\/p>

New Mexico State University student Kristen Sullivan asks a question during the 2015 Domenici Public Policy Conference. Student panelists play a key role in the conference as the only audience members invited to question the speakers. The 2016 conference takes place Sept. 14 and 15.<\/p><\/div>\n

Hosted by New Mexico State University\u2019s Domenici<\/span> Institute for Public Policy, the annual conference will bring together policymakers and experts including former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Congressman and mental health advocate Patrick Kennedy, political strategist James Carville, and author Kristen Soltis Anderson.<\/p>\n

Topics for the conference include some of today\u2019s most timely headlines, including police-community relations and the public trust; the state of mental health care and the criminal justice system; national security; and the coming presidential election.<\/p>\n

The students, who come from universities around New Mexico, have worked in teams all summer, researching the conference\u2019s topics and preparing thoughtful questions for each speaker. Panelists were nominated by faculty and administrators at their schools and selected by a committee of the Domenici<\/span> Institute\u2019s Advisory Council.<\/p>\n

Garrett Autry, a graduate student in economics at NMSU, said after attending several past Domenici<\/span> Conferences \u2013 an experience that\u2019s free for NMSU students \u2013 he wanted to get involved as a panelist. With new information emerging daily for many topics, the students have been required to adapt their lines of questioning.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been doing a lot of research on the speakers and their areas of expertise throughout the summer,\u201d Autry said. \u201cAs we\u2019ve learned more information and seen new developments in policy, we\u2019ve refined our research even further.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sonny Christopher Haquani, a junior at University of New Mexico double majoring in political science and international studies, said he\u2019s grateful to have the opportunity to serve as the audience\u2019s voice during the conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe statement that only students can ask questions makes a very powerful presupposition: that the inquiries and concerns of the next generation matter and are worth listening to,\u201d Haquani said. \u201cAnd I’m truly grateful to see this, especially in a field that typically values a nostalgic political wisdom over youthful idealism and post-structural thinking.\u201d<\/p>\n

NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers, who is also director of the Domenici<\/span> Institute, said that sense of empowerment from the student panelists is an enjoyable part of the conference experience for the presenters as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud of the caliber of speakers we are able to bring in for the conference, but we\u2019re even more proud of the caliber of student panelists who commit to participating,\u201d Carruthers said. \u201cOur speakers always comment on how much they enjoy interacting with some of the top undergraduate and graduate scholars in New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Domenici<\/span> Student Panelist program is supported again this year by a $10,000 sponsorship from U.S. Bank, which will provide each student panelist with a $250 U.S. Bank Visa gift card and cover the cost of the students\u2019 hotel accommodations in Las Cruces. Students will also participate in an orientation dinner the evening before the conference.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve attended past conferences, and the student participation is always a highlight of the experience,\u201d said Craig Buchanan, market president for U.S. Bank in Las Cruces. \u201cWe\u2019re pleased to support this wonderful learning opportunity for students across New Mexico.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kevin Boberg, vice president for economic development at NMSU and head of the selection committee, said the student panelists are proof that New Mexico\u2019s future is bright.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe students have been remarkable from their first introduction to us in May as nominees through their summer of research and collaboration,\u201d Boberg said. \u201cThey have thoughtfully communicated in teams that span campuses and topics. I look forward to seeing the resulting conversation unfold at the conference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Conference organizers have made a change to the previously announced speaker lineup. Due to a scheduling conflict, N.M. Gov. Susana Martinez was unable to accept an invitation to speak on the conference\u2019s second day. Instead, N.M. Secretary of Higher Education Barbara Damron will speak at 8 a.m.<\/span><\/span> Thursday on strategic priorities for higher education in New Mexico.<\/p>\n

Registration for the 2016 Domenici<\/span> Public Policy Conference is $75. Online registration and more information, including a complete agenda, are available at domenici<\/span>.nmsu.edu<\/a>. The event is free for university students to attend. For more information or to register by phone, call the Domenici<\/span> Institute at (575) 646-2066.<\/p>\n

2016 Domenici<\/span> Public Policy Conference student panelists<\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Kylie Katalinich, Eastern New Mexico University<\/li>\n
  • Tamlyn Crain, New Mexico Highlands University<\/li>\n
  • Cassandra Sanchez, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology<\/li>\n
  • Garrett Autry, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Micaela de la Rosa, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Joli McSherry, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Dylan Pell, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Connor Schultz, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Haley Stewart, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Margie Vela, New Mexico State University<\/li>\n
  • Tessa Chrisman, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Tiberius Davis, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Gabriel Gallegos, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Sonny Christopher Haquani, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Andrew Hollis, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Randy Ko, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Jay Maharath, University of New Mexico<\/li>\n
  • Monica Moreno, Western New Mexico University<\/li>\n
  • Grecia Rivas, Western New Mexico University<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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