Ivan Olay

Sr Program Manager (Director)

Phone: 505-277-5492
Email: iolay@unm.edu

Ivan Olay was born in Mexico City, where both of his parents were born and raised. At the age of seven, his parents and two siblings migrated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in search of a new life. Like most immigrants with little resources, they struggled for many years. Although from a low-income background, their lives were rich with struggles and triumphs. His father’s persistence to succeed was imbedded in him even though he realized those lessons later in life. His mother’s unconditional love was unyielding even when he “rebelled.” In the fall of 1994, Ivan became a Lobo and graduated from the Anderson School of Management in 2002, and he earned his Executive Master of Business Administration in May 2023.

Cynthia Padilla

Student Success Specialist

Phone: 505-277-0744
Email: cypadilla11@unm.edu

Cynthia Padilla was born in Chihuahua, Mexico. Her and her family migrated to Dallas, Texas when she was six years old. They lived in Texas for six months and then relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her mom recalls seeing Cynthia’s love for books and curiosity develop at an early age. Consequently, her mom always encouraged her to strive for her education as it would allow her to have greater opportunities. Cynthia’s appreciation for education, literature, and her parents’ sacrifice led her to the University of New Mexico in 2013. She pursued her Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature and graduated in 2017. She worked at South Valley Academy as a program assistant coordinator where she worked with high school students. However, Cynthia’s mentor, Dr. Jesses Alemán, inspired her to aim for her graduate studies. In 2019, she started her Master’s program and she took on a teaching assistantship with the English department. She taught English composition courses. Through her teaching, she realized she was passionate about working with students in higher education. Cynthia graduated with her Master of Arts in English Language and Literature in the Spring of 2021. After she graduated, she was hired as a Sr. Academic Advisor at University College Advisement Center. She worked there for two years before transitioning into CAMP as the program advisor. Her goal is to continue to inspire students (as her mentors inspired her) to embrace the opportunities that education has to offer.

Samantha "Sammi" Williams

Program Coordinator for CAMP/HEP

Phone: 505-277-0276
Email: skwilliams@unm.edu

Sammi recently graduated from UNM with an undergraduate degree in business and will now be pursuing her MACCT at UNM, with the goal of obtaining her CPA. She has a passion for helping people more than anything else in her life. She works towards the betterment of the world, whether by assisting people in obtaining their education or through volunteering. With her CPA, she plans to become an accountant for not-for-profit organizations. As the program coordinator for CAMP, she plans events that help students grow and find the right path in life, while also ensuring they have the resources they need for success.

German Martinez

Student Recruitment Specialist

Phone: N/A
Email: gmarti04@unm.edu

German Martinez is a first-generation college student and the eldest of five siblings, all of whom participated in the UNM CAMP Program and earned bachelor’s degrees from the University of New Mexico. He is originally from the Mixtec (Sa’an Savi) Region in Oaxaca, Mexico. Both his parents are seasonal farm workers who have labored in the fields since before he was born. Their work took them from the strawberry fields in California to the apple orchards in Washington, among various other seasonal farm fields across the United States. Their routine was straightforward: complete the seasonal harvests and return to their homeland. Faced with limited opportunities for their children's higher education, his parents decided to relocate the entire family to the United States in September 2007, finding work in the onion and green chile fields in Deming, New Mexico. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and math in 2017. Before transitioning to his role as a student recruitment specialist with UNM CAMP, he worked with the Hacia: Toward the University Program under the non-profit organization Southwest Creations Collaborative in 2018. This two-generation family engagement program inspires and supports entire families as they navigate the educational pipeline from Pre-K to higher education. In 2019, he also worked at the CNM Contact Center, where he assisted with financial aid, enrollment services, and GED/ABE class information. Additionally, he gained valuable experience in library operations and research during his five years at the UNM Zimmerman Library. Beyond his passion for the STEM field, he found a calling in assisting underserved communities by fostering equitable education for all, particularly creating opportunities for migrant communities. He is eager to share his knowledge and ensure that CAMP Scholars receive the support, networking, research opportunities, and resources necessary for success in their undergraduate studies, especially in STEM fields.