Who We Are
The Family Development Program (FDP) has a diverse team of highly qualified program staff, each of whom brings in-depth experience of working directly with families, schools, and communities to improve education and the quality of life for children.
Family Development Program Leadership Team
Veronica L. Griego-Sanders, Ed.D. (She/Hers)
Director
Phone: 505-277-6943
vsanders1@unm.edu
Manzanita Center 120 (#70, from UNM Campus Map)
Dr. Veronica Griego-Sanders has been involved in education for over 30 years. As an Elementary Education major from New Mexico State University in 1993, she started her career as a teacher in Grants, NM where she eventually worked as an Elementary Principal. In 2009 she moved to Rio Rancho and worked for the school district as an Elementary School teacher, Elementary Assistant Principal, Assistant Director of Parent, Community, and Staff Engagement, Middle School Assistant Principal and Principal. Before she retired, she also worked with pre-school as well as high school students as an interim principal. Since retiring, she has worked for the New Mexico Public Education Department in the Student, Schools, and Family Support Bureau as well as the College and Career Readiness Bureau supporting schools with a variety of federal grants supporting Reading and Math initiatives as well as Career, Technical Education programs. She has also served as the Early College High School Coordinator for the Extending Equity into the Digital Workforce Program with REC1 in NM. She holds her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from New Mexico State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico, and her Ed.D. in Education Leadership with an emphasis on Equity and Social Justice from Loyola University Chicago. She is the mother of 4 children, of whom she takes great pride in. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and family as well as traveling and learning all that she can to support children and families throughout New Mexico.
Janelle Garcia Cole
Associate Director
Education & Development Manager
Phone: 505-277-8512
jcole4@unm.edu
Janelle Garcia Cole has been a part of the Early Childhood community for over twenty years. She joined the Family Development Program in May 2015 as a Training and Development Consultant and Statewide Trainer. Janelle was just assigned a new Co-associate director position and is excited about this new endeavor. She has a BA in Elementary Education from NMSU and an MA in Language, Literacy, and Socio-Cultural Studies from the UNM. Janelle taught in the Even Start Family Literacy Program for Albuquerque Public schools before coming to UNM. Janelle is a certified Elementary and Early Childhood teacher with a TESOL endorsement. In addition, she is a Master Trainer on the NM Training Registry. She is part of the Moments Together ECECD team and actively supports young children and their families in rural communities in New Mexico. She is passionate about working for equity and advocating for young children and their families. She is committed to advocating for and improving the well-being of children in New Mexico and encouraging the importance of play as the foundation for learning. She also enjoys sharing with others the benefits of mindfulness and yoga. Janelle and her husband have three beautiful boys who bring joy and fun adventures.
Our Statewide Program and Administrative Team Members
Paige Abrams
Community Programs Supervisor
Phone: 505-277-8515
paige@unm.edu
Paige has been in the early childhood field since 1991. She was previously a NM PreK Consultant, a preschool teacher, a theater teacher, an art teacher, a movement teacher, a Montessori mentoree, along with other positions in the education field. She holds an Master’s degree in Education from Bank Street College in New York City and a Bachelor’s degree from The Colorado College. She upholds the significance of Loose Parts (recycled, open-ended materials safe for children) for their ability to nurture the creative, independent, and problem-solving spirit of all children and adults through an approach that emphasizes learning by doing.. Wemagination offers a rich learning environment tailored to support early childhood educators and other community members who work with young children. Paige believes children should have a life-long opportunity to grow through joyful learning experiences that are relevant to their lives.
Brianna Avila
Unit Administrator II
Phone: 505-277-8510
briav1@unm.edu
Brianna Avila joined Family Development Program as a Student Employee in September of 2016 while pursuing a BBA with a double concentration in Accounting and Human Resources. Following her work as a student, she became the Administrative Assistant III for FDP in March of 2018. While in this position, Brianna completed her MBA degree. Fortunately, she was hired on as the Unit Administrator II in December of 2020—a unique career development opportunity. She oversees all Administrative and Fiscal Management, Human Resources and Development Administration. Besides her professional career, she co-owns On Point Dance Studio in the South Valley area with her best friend where she shares her passion and dedication for dance and young children in the late evenings. She absolutely loves that none of her days look the same and strongly believes all children can thrive when loving mentors fully support them.
Andrew Castellano
Program Specialist
Phone: 505-277-5800
andyc@unm.edu
As the Program Coordinator for Family Development Program, Andrew assists New Mexican and National Early Childhood organizations with their requests for the Family Development Program’s many professional trainings and educational resources. Additionally, as the Manager of the Wemagination Resource Center, he strives to maintain a welcoming and educational environment. With the help from a supportive staff and volunteers, the team keeps the Wemagination warehouse stocked with a large supply of clean and safe open-ended materials for our members. Before coming to the Family Development Program, Andrew managed a teen pregnancy prevention program for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The majority of Andrew’s experience in the public and non-profit sector comes from his five years with the AmeriCorps Volunteer In Service To America (VISTA) program. For three years he served as a VISTA volunteer with the New Mexico Hispanic Medical Association and then spent two years as a Program Manager for AmeriCorps VISTA. As a graduate from the University of New Mexico with a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s from the Anderson School of Management, Andrew has come to appreciate the University setting and the positive energy that flows through campus.
Hana Adent
Program Specialist
hadent@unm.edu
Hana Adent joined Family Development Program as a Student Employee in August 2019 while pursuing a BS in Family and Child Studies and a BA Psychology. Following her work as a student, she became a graduate assistant for FDP in August of 2021. While in this position, Hana completed her Masters. She was hired as an Educational Consultant in October in collaboration with FDP. After the project, she was hired in July of 2024 as a Program Specialist. She was born and raised in Albuquerque and has deep love for New Mexico. She truly appreciates how the early childhood community is full of diverse people coming together to make a better environment for generations to come.
Holly LaBeau-BlueEyes
Training and Development Consultant
hlabeau@unm.edu
Holly has been a part of the early childhood community for almost 10 years and has loved every moment of working with children and families. She began as a physics major in college, but after her work as an education assistant, she found her passion changed and received her BA in Early Childhood Education from New Mexico Highlands University. Her background includes working as an early childhood educator and in early childhood administration. She hopes to be a part of building a bridge between early childhood and the community. Holly feels that all children should have the right to be happy, healthy, and thriving and have access to necessary services. Her goal is to help be a part of making that dream a reality. She resides in Albuquerque with her wife and daughter where they enjoy the diversity that New Mexico has to offer and the inclusion of all families.
Lindsey Lopez
Training and Development Consultant
llopez239@unm.edu
I have been a Training and Development Consultant at UNM for almost 3 years. I have worked with UNMH-HSC, CDD, and now on the academic campus within the College of Education, Family Development Program. I am really excited to build relationships with you all as we collaborate on this journey of learning and exploration through support. I would like to tell you a little about my background so you know more about me. I am from western Pennsylvania-near Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!). I moved to New Mexico almost 13 years ago. I have fallen in love with this state and the communities throughout. I now live in the South Valley of Albuquerque. I am a parent of a 10-year-old, and that is my most important job. I went to Pennsylvania State University where I earned an Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy. I then continued my education at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania earning a Bachelor’s degree in Holistic Health and a minor in Religious Studies. I then continued my education at Walden University earning a Master’s Degree in Public Health. I have continued my education at the University of New Mexico taking several Early Childhood courses and with Walden University taking Doctoral level Early Childhood Courses. I have worked as a COTA/L with ages birth through geriatric within Early Intervention, outpatient, school-based, hospital, rehab, home health, and skilled nursing therapy settings. I have also continued certification as a Community Health Worker and also have obtained my Infant Mental Health Endorsement Level II. I am a registered trainer within the state of New Mexico. I have really developed a passion for Early Childhood Learning, Early Intervention based practices, and Home Visiting services including pre and post-natal health. I am a Circle of Security Facilitator and have really enjoyed working with families with this curriculum. I am FAN certified Level I. I have developed a love for home-based services during my home health and Early Intervention experiences and realized that the home is the most functional, realistic, and individualized setting to offer services. I transitioned to UNM from my most recent position as a Center Director at a Head Start and Early Head Start Center. I absolutely loved the work we did support children and families. It was so rewarding and fueled my passion for serving the world of Early Childhood. I have experience as a Health Care provider, work as a college-level instructor, within Early Childhood and K-12 education, and various supervisory roles of nearly 8 years of management experience.
I have fully embraced Reflective Practice and enjoy opportunities to integrate Reflection into training, coaching, and consultation. We can create courageous spaces to feel safe to be vulnerable and practice deep listening skills to partner in shared learning environments. I am so humbled and thrilled to be a small part of supporting you all do the amazing work you all do every day to support the families and children of New Mexico.
Samuel Rodriguez, LBSW
Training & Development Consultant
Phone: 505-277-0860
srodrig6@unm.edu
Samuel is a licensed social worker who has devoted his career to working with families because he feels that the family unit has the strongest ability to nurture a child’s well-being. Samuel has been an investigative worker, placement worker and permanency worker under the child protective services umbrella. Following his work with CPS Samuel engaged in behavioral health work with the treatment foster care program. Samuel later supervised caregivers in the central region of New Mexico who supported the elderly and people with disabilities. He then shifted his focus to working with infants, toddlers and expecting mothers as an early intervention provider. Samuel’s work experience has helped him understand the importance of family and has enhanced his passion about supporting the family unit. Samuel has been deeply impacted with the reflective practice he has developed throughout his career and advocates for reflective support in the field to help improve outcomes for families, children and providers.
Christian Soto
Training and Development Consultant
Phone: 505-277-9193
csoto1@unm.edu
Christian is a statewide, bi-lingual Training and Development Consultant. He will work with families and early childhood providers to support high quality early education. He graduated with a B.A. from the University of Arizona, and lived in Northern Arizona before moving to Albuquerque, NM. Christian has a background in community health and has facilitated many health and chronic disease workshops for individuals and families throughout New Mexico. Before coming to the Family Development Program, he was part of a pediatric trauma-informed care initiative for families with babies and young children led by physicians at UNMH. Christian enjoys the health and life coaching approach, understanding that everyone is competent, capable, and whole. He has a deep desire to help every child in New Mexico obtain the best education. He is an activator, advocate, listener, and doer. And he likes Red Lobster.
Tamarra Garcia
Training and Development Consultant
tamgarcia14@unm.edu
Tamarra Garcia is a Training and Development Consultant with the UNM Family and Development Program. With over 20 years of experience working with children and families, she has served as a Head Start Teacher, an Early Head Start Teacher, and a Home Visitor. Tamarra holds an AA degree in Child, Youth, and Family Development and is currently pursuing a BA in Human Development and Family Science. She is a certified National Child Passenger Safety Technician and is working towards her DONA International Birth Doula Certification. Born and raised in Albuquerque, Tamarra is deeply committed to community outreach and supporting families and communities in New Mexico. She is passionate about fostering professional development among early childhood educators. Tamarra believes every child deserves equal opportunities, support, and meaningful relationships to foster healthy development and success in their communities. Her favorite quote is, “A wise woman once said to me that there are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these she said is roots, the other, wings. And they can only be grown, these roots and these wings, in the home” - Hodding Carter.
