Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

Last week was an incredible Homecoming week at UNM culminating in a hard-won victory by our UNM Lobo football team against Nevada. At halftime, I had the opportunity to be one of the first to congratulate our Homecoming Court including King Junhi Saldivar and Queen Ruby Morales. Homecoming week featured opportunities for students and alumni alike to engage in Lobo pride, and I am excited to see how we can build on this momentum to further strengthen homecoming activities to support a vibrant campus life in alignment with our Innovating the Student Experience strategic plan.

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I want to ensure that everyone knows that confidential advocates are available in the Women’s Resource Center and LoboRespect Advocacy Center. These advocates work tirelessly to support those who are navigating challenging life circumstances and/or university processes. I am grateful for their contributions to creating and sustaining a safe and supportive university community.

In addition to the survivor supporting events outlined below, our partners in Compliance Ethics and Equal Opportunity will be hosting a tailgate at Louie Lane outside of University Stadium this Saturday ahead of our game against Utah State. I hope you’ll stop by as we all work together to raise awareness, engage in preventative education, and support survivors during this critical month of awareness. Together, we can all commit to a stronger community.

With appreciation,

Eric

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. There is still time to attend the "Don't Be That Guy" violence prevention conference on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Celebrate Halloween with Scholes Hall

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.

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.

UNM Celebrates First-Generation Students,

Nov. 3–8

The University of New Mexico will host a weeklong First-Generation Celebration from Nov. 3–8 to honor students who are the first in their families to attend college. These students bring resilience and leadership to their college journeys, often trailblazing their own paths. Nearly half of the student body at UNM are first-generation students.

The First-Gen Focus Committee, UNM branch campuses, and the College of Nursing are collaborating to host events that highlight student achievements and provide support through mentorship and community building.

The celebration begins Monday, Nov. 3, with two events: a kickoff at the College of Nursing from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and a Parenting Students Lunch & Learn in SUB Room 1034 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Highlights include:

• Tuesday, Nov. 4: Supporting First-Gen Student Well-Being Webinar & Panel, Zoom (https://unm.zoom.us/j/99131649282), 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 5: Class of 2029 Banner Unveiling, SUB Atrium, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 6: UNM-Gallup First-Gen Celebration, Center for Academic Learning, 10 a.m. to noon
• Friday, Nov. 7: Main Campus First-Generation Celebration, SUB Atrium, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., with remarks from UNM President Garnett Stokes; Dr. Patricia Trujillo, New Mexico Higher Education Deputy Cabinet Secretary; and a representative from Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury’s office. A group photo and cake will follow.
• Saturday, Nov. 8: First-Gen Student Athletes Recognition during half-time at the UNM Men's Basketball game at The Pit

The First-Gen Focus Committee is also seeking first-gen students, faculty, staff, and administrators to highlight on social media during the week-long celebration. If you are a first-gen lobo, share your story by Wednesday, Oct. 29 for a chance to be featured!

Join us in celebrating the strength and success of UNM’s first-gen students! Find more information at firstgen.unm.edu.

Share your Story!