UNM School of Architecture and Planning celebrates Ashley Lazevnick’s staff award

Ashley Lazevnick, faculty research support officer for the School of Architecture and Planning and the College of Fine Arts at The University of New Mexico, has been named a 2025 Outstanding Research Staff Award recipient in the category of Outstanding New Research Staff Member.

This honor recognizes her outstanding dedication, contributions and the overall impact of her daily work in furthering the university's research mission through exemplary service and thorough guidance.

"I am deeply honored to learn of my nomination and selection for this award," said Lazevnick. "There are many talented research staff members across the university, which makes this even more meaningful to discover that my colleagues took the time to nominate me."

The award includes a $1,000 cash prize, and Lazevnick and her fellow award recipients will be recognized at the PI Reception Nov. 12, at 4 p.m. in George Pearl Hall.

Lazevnick explained that, due to the nature of the work, "research looks very different in the College of Fine Arts and the School of Architecture and Planning than in other colleges at UNM." In her role at these colleges, she has helped faculty be creative in their practices and develop collaborative projects that complement traditional research methods.

Most recently, she has worked with the associate deans of research for both colleges to strengthen their research profiles. In SA+P, she has helped redesign the research website to highlight faculty achievements and advertise for upcoming funding opportunities. This fall, she has also helped launch writing groups for both colleges, providing an opportunity for her to become more familiar with her faculty's research projects and assist during the crucial planning and development stages.

"Ashley's exceptional skills and her teamwork mindset have immediately elevated our research community and will have lasting effects," said Ellen Peabody, SA+P's academic operations officer. "Her personable approach and genuine enthusiasm to help others make her an invaluable member of our team."

With several years of teaching experience in higher education, she brings extensive experience and a passion for collaboration. She enjoys listening to faculty members discuss ideas they care deeply about and taking part in the creative processes behind their research projects.

"I have worked directly with Ashley to get grant proposals submitted and on budget adjustments," said Renia Ehrenfeucht, associate dean of research for the School of Architecture and Planning. "In the year that she has been with SA+P, she has greatly increased the support available for the principal investigators in SA+P and CFA, helping faculty think through their scholarly trajectory, developing narratives for the grant proposals, developing budgets and navigating UNM's submission system."

Through this award, the Office of the Vice President for Research seeks to recognize the expertise, dedication and professionalism of the diverse research support staff across the university. As the premier R1 university in New Mexico, UNM maintains a very high research activity rating, and staff members like Lazevnick play a crucial role in sustaining that excellence.

In just its fourth year, this award program has reached a new milestone, recognizing nine outstanding staff members, the highest number awarded to date. The record-setting year highlights the remarkable talent and dedication of those advancing research at UNM.

Ehrenfeucht explains, "We need staff members like Ashley who are as talented as our researchers are. This leads to collaborations that strengthen UNM's research enterprise, and this award allows us to recognize these talents and the staff's contribution to the effort."

Join the School of Architecture and Planning in congratulating Lazevnick on her well-earned award and recognition.