Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

Welcome back from what I hope was a restful and fulfilling break before we begin the final sprint to the end of the semester. It’s hard to believe it’s already December, one of my favorite times of year at UNM. This week we celebrate the annual Hanging of the Greens, UNM’s oldest tradition dating back to the 1930s, when students would trek up to the Sandias to gather greens to adorn campus buildings, including the President’s House. Over the years, this tradition has expanded to include singing, luminarias, posole, and hot chocolate. My special thanks to the Mortar Board and all of the volunteers who make this tradition so special and successful every year.

This holiday season, we have much to celebrate at UNM and in Student Affairs. In addition to a fantastic winter graduation on the horizon, with the support of the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC), UNM is in the top ten nationwide as a Best for Vets College and a resounding #1 in New Mexico. Congratulations to the VMRC and everyone at UNM who helps ensure we are a welcoming and supportive community for all students, which means calibrating our services and support systems to many different needs.

If I don’t see you at Hanging of the Greens, then I’ll be sure to look for you at Late Night Breakfast this Sunday evening in the SUB! 

With appreciation,

Eric

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs is pleased to announce that Loretta Esquibel has joined our team as Executive Assistant. We are excited to welcome her and look forward to the contributions she will bring to our office and the Division. Please help us welcome Loretta to the Student Affairs family.

The University of New Mexico has earned the 2025 Military Times Best for Vets College designation, ranking No. 1 in New Mexico, No. 3 in the Southwest, and among the top institutions nationwide: No. 6 among public schools, No. 8 among traditional schools, No. 9 in general education, and No. 10 overall.

This prestigious recognition underscores UNM’s unwavering commitment to military-affiliated students. According to Military Times, rankings are determined through an extensive survey evaluating academic quality, student support services, affordability, and veteran outcomes such as graduation and retention rates. Student success metrics weigh most heavily, followed by military-specific resources, financial assistance, admissions policies, and other key factors.

At the heart of this achievement is the Veteran and Military Resource Center, led by Dr. Alonzo Maestas, director. The center provides comprehensive support for veterans, active-duty service members and their families. This recognition positions UNM as a top choice for military-affiliated students in New Mexico and across the country.

“I am at a loss for words. The dedication of the VMRC staff and our student employees to serving military-affiliated students inspires me every day, and UNM’s strong support for this community makes achievements like this possible,” Maestas said. “Our students are our ‘why.’ We want every military-affiliated student to feel seen, respected, and valued. Our mission is simple: help them transition into college life, support them throughout their academic journey, and empower them as they advance to graduate school or into their chosen professions.”

Please join the DSA Professional Development committee for the final First Fridays event of the semester scheduled for next week – it’s a great way to connect with fellow Student Affairs staff!! Feel free to bring your lunch, too. 

Join Mortar Board for UNM's oldest student tradition, Hanging of the Greens on Friday, Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the UNM Bookstore. The event has 13,000 luminarias and is one of the largest displays in the area.

🎉Join the Student Affairs Engagement and Recognition Committee at the event:

• When: 5:30 p.m.
• Where: Fiesta statue in front of Johnson Center.
• Bonus: First 20 attendees get a Student Affairs beanie!

The Late Night Breakfast will be held in the SUB Ballrooms on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. The popular event includes a DJ, dance floor, trivia, food and prizes.

We are seeking participants to join the DSA Rural Student Data Team in Spring 2026 to learn more about the outcomes of UNM's rural student population. See flyer for details. DSA staff interested in joining should submit an interest form by Friday, December 12 at pm. Contact Tina Zuniga at zunigat@unm.edu for questions. 

The Student Affairs Recognition and Engagement Committee wants to hear from you! Tell us what types of activities, gatherings, and connection opportunities you'd like to see by filling out our quick survey.

Just a reminder that annual training for all UNM employees is due by Wednesday, Dec. 31. All University of New Mexico employees, including regular and temporary faculty and staff, on call staff, and student employees (including grad students) are required to complete specific trainings each year.

The four required trainings for 2025 are:

• MT 2025E or MT 2025S: Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
• BAST 2025: Basic Annual Safety Training - 2025
• ACSH 2025: Active Shooter on Campus: Run, Hide, Fight - 2025
• SANS Security Awareness Training 2025: Securing the Human

All four trainings must be completed by December 31, 2025. They are available in Learning Central and have automatically been added to each employee's learning plan.



For any questions about the Securing the Human training, please contact the ISPO security team through help.unm.edu.