Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

Happy Homecoming Week! As we move into fall, it is the perfect time to hold up our cherry and silver pride while welcoming back our Lobo alumni to our beautiful campus. Thanks to the annual Fall Frenzy program supported by ASUNM, campus is looking great with new trees and flowers complimenting the reopened Duck Pond—which I am excited to share now features ducks!

Today as part of our homecoming week festivities and supporting students as we reach the middle of the semester is another iteration of our Pack’s Got Your Back program. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., volunteers will distribute healthy snacks and support packages to students in an effort to create community and affirm that all of our students belong here. Thank you for continuing to bring positive energy and engagement into our community and Go Lobos!

With Appreciation,

Eric

Celebrate UNM Homecoming October 13-18!

This year, we’re coming home to the heart of the desert—where our stories began and where the Pack runs deep.

Desert Boots & Lobo Roots celebrates the legacy of the University of New Mexico and the spirit of the Southwest.

From boot-stomping good times at Hodgin Hall Alumni Center to spirited tailgates, Homecoming 2025 blends country charm with Lobo tradition. It’s a week to reconnect, reenergize, and relive the pride of being part of the Pack.

The Pack's Got Your Back TODAY

In a time of significant stress, some members of the UNM community might not be feeling the sense of belonging on our campus that we strive for. To reiterate to our Lobos that we're in this together and here for each other, departments from across campus are uniting again for another The Pack's Got Your Back initiative, on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Duck Pond Alumni Clock.

Congratulations to the Veteran and Military Resource Center (VMRC) for successfully passing the Veteran’s Administration compliance audit. This audit ensures proper processing of student benefits—and any errors could result in financial liability for students or UNM.

Chiaki Ramirez and Vita Preciado, our Student Eligibility Specialists and VA School Certifying Officials, led the documentation efforts with support from the Center's work studies and VMRC staff. Their thorough preparation resulted in a flawless audit.

This achievement reflects the team's dedication and attention to detail. Kudos to Chiaki, Vita, and the entire VMRC team for upholding compliance and continuing to provide exceptional support to our military-affiliated students.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and the Women's Resource Center and LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center recognize it through various events, educational campaigns, and resources for students and the community.

Career Services is hiring a Professional Intern for the career development team. The selected candidate will assist in career coaching UNM students, both one-on-one and via group presentations. This role is ideal for someone with a strong interest in career advisement, career and professional development, human resources, training and development, student affairs in higher education, or similar areas. Educational backgrounds in Communication, Journalism, English, Psychology, Business with Human Resources concentration/focus, Educational Leadership, Organization, Information, and Learning Sciences, or related fields would be a good fit. This is a full-time fixed-term position, Grade 9, with benefits including tuition remission. Ideally this could be a May/December 2025 graduate or someone currently pursuing a master's degree.

Best consideration date is Thursday, Oct. 23.

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) at The University of New Mexico seeks a highly skilled and proactive Executive Assistant to join the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (OVPSA). DSA is home to units and services dedicated to advancing the quality, cohesiveness, and cultural relevancy of the student experience at UNM and beyond. 

As a key member of the OVPSA team, the Executive Assistant provides direct administrative and strategic assistance to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and executive leadership. This position requires advanced coordination, problem-solving, and the ability to help manage high-level projects and initiatives that align with the DSA Strategic Plan: Innovating the Student Experience and the UNM 2040 Strategic Framework.

The Executive Assistant serves as a trusted partner and first point of contact for the VPSA, anticipating needs and ensuring readiness for meetings, events, and communications with University, community, and external stakeholders in collaboration with the OVPSA team. This role reinforces the OVPSA’s service philosophy and contributes to divisional processes that enhance student success, equity, and institutional effectiveness.

Those interested can view the complete description and apply via the UNM Jobs posting Req 34758 with a best consideration date of Friday, Oct. 24.

18th Annual Mentoring Conference

Join us to carve pumpkins on Halloween! Test your pumpkin carving skills against other students in a judged competition. There will be free snacks and a chance to win some prizes through the carving contest. We only have 100 pumpkins, so first come first serve! There will be judging of pumpkins at the end based on 4 categories: Scariest, most creative, cutest, and peoples choice.

Save the Date: First-Gen Celebration

Friday, Nov.7

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SUB Atrium

The University of New Mexico - Main and Branch Campuses join many college campuses across the nation in celebrating the anniversary of the Higher Education Act where the term first-generation was first coined which has helped countless low-middle income students come the first in their families to earn college degrees.