Message from the Vice President | | |
Dr. Scott attending the El Centro de la Raza welcome back event.
photo credit: Hyunju Blemel
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Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,
We know the incredible impact Student Affairs programs and services have on our students and families because of the accumulated smiles, celebrations and stories of success our students have shared with us. When connected deeply with students, as we so often are, one of the many benefits is that we watch as students flourish throughout their academic experience and on into the workplace, community and world. These connections and testimonials serve as insight and inspiration for our teams and influence how we continue to shape, evolve and influence the student experience, yet they do not independently tell the full story of our impact.
The Division of Student Affairs has been on a multi-year mission to improve data collection and analysis that can help us more effectively evaluate student success and the impact programs, services, interventions and opportunities can have on student outcomes. Concurrently, our units have each formulated their own assessment agenda with the support of Dr. Tina Zuniga-Carilli, strategic support manager for Student Affairs Assessment. Through these inquiry projects and program reviews supported by the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS), we are engaged in continuous improvement benchmarked to national best practices while fulfilling our accreditation requirements for co-curricular assessment. Our Student Affairs data and assessment efforts have reached an exciting stage, and now is a prime opportunity to continue developing your skills, strengthen data fluency and consistency, and drive continued growth in student success outcomes.
To that end, I want to encourage your participation in two upcoming Student Affairs professional development opportunities: Howl-To Wednesdays and the Howl Into Inquiry Series. Whether you are a unit head or a rising leader, these are excellent opportunities to interface directly with our leadership and contemplate how assessment can drive enhanced outcomes in your area of expertise and influence.
Further, next Friday is UNM's inaugural Student Success Roundtable event. This is an outstanding opportunity to learn about current institutional transformation initiatives, provide advice and feedback to initiative leaders, help align these initiatives with the efforts of participants and their departments, and help pool resources and approaches to improve the efficacy of these initiatives.
There has never been a better time for student-centered leaders to engage and align to advance New Mexico. If we work together to both serve and document impact, the future of our division, institution and state will only get brighter.
With gratitude,
Eric
| Join Campus Rec for First Friday |
Forgot your lunch? No problem! Campus Recreation is taking it back to grade school for this month's First Friday.
Stop by to build your own classic Bologna & Cheese or PB&J sandwich, grab some snacks, and stay for a game of Mystery Trivia! What will we ask?
Johnson Center - Building 59 West Entrance - Room 1101 - Just let front desk staff know you are here and they will direct you.
11:30am-1pm
RSVP HERE please and forward to your teams!
Come grab a sandwich, test your trivia skills, and connect with the team. See you Friday!
| | New Howl Into Inquiry Program Set | | |
The Howl into Inquiry program is a new cohort-based program that allows participants to design and complete an assessment project over the course of eight weeks with structured support.
Apply to the Fall 2026 inaugural cohort by Friday, Sept. 25, for full consideration. Please note participation in this program is contingent upon supervisor and/or unit director approval.
| | Howl-To Wednesdays Set for Fall | Howl‑To Wednesdays are informal, drop‑in hours focused on assessment & planning topics. Each week features a brief, practical tutorial on data‑related topics—like quick analysis techniques, reporting tips, or easy visualization tricks—followed by time for questions and hands‑on help. Stop by to sharpen your data skills, troubleshoot challenges, and pick up new tools in a relaxed, come‑as‑you‑are setting. | |
Division of Student Affairs
Welcome Back Events
| | Division of Student Affairs Seeks Director of African American Student Services | | |
The Division of Student Affairs seeks its next director of African American Student Services (AASS) following the promotion of Dr. Brandi Wells-Stone to executive director for Student Support.
AASS, a department within the Division of Student Affairs, collaborates with Student Support units and student resource centers across the university to advance student success, engagement and belonging for all students.
The director provides strategic leadership for African American Student Services, overseeing staff, programs, operations, resources and partnerships that support student success. Reporting to the executive director for Student Support, the position will lead initiatives that encourage student engagement, belonging, leadership development, academic achievement, well-being, retention and graduation.
The director represents AASS and the University through strategic partnerships, community engagement and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and serves as a special advisor to the President on matters related to African American/Black student experiences and community engagement.
In addition, the director will serve as a resource to the university by providing consultation and expertise on programs, partnerships and initiatives that strengthen institutional practices and enrich the campus community.
Minimum qualifications include a bachelor's degree and at least seven years of directly related experience. Advanced degrees from accredited institutions may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Those interested can view the complete description and apply via the UNM Jobs posting Req37772 with a best consideration date of Monday, Sept. 21.
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UNM’s inaugural Undergraduate Student Success Roundtable set for Sept. 11 | | |
Creating programs and structures that help students succeed is a priority for many faculty, staff and leaders across The University of New Mexico’s campuses. But because of the size of our institution, it can be a challenge to know all that is going on in the area of large-scale, student-focused success initiatives.
Providing a remedy to that is the idea behind the Undergraduate Student Success Roundtable, which will be held 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Centennial Science and Engineering Library, Research Exchange on the main floor.
Registration to the event is required, and the deadline is Sept. 3. Lunch will be provided.
This event is open to faculty and staff at all UNM campuses and is focused on initiatives designed to improve undergraduate student learning and retention across entire campuses, colleges, schools or the University as a whole.
During the event, participants will:
- Learn about current institutional transformation initiatives
- Provide advice and feedback to initiative leaders
- Help align these initiatives with the efforts of participants and their departments
- Help pool resources and approaches to improve the efficacy of these initiatives.
Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a working lunch beginning at noon. Welcome remarks will be provided by Pamela Cheek, vice provost for student success; Elisha Allen, director of Online Strategies and Academic Technologies; and Amy Jankowski, associate professor and director of learning, research and engagement in the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences.
| | Fall All Staff Gathering Set for Friday, Sept. 18 | | |
The Fall 2026 All Staff Gathering marks a re-envisioning of our all-staff experience, creating new opportunities for connection, collaboration and shared learning across the division.
Join colleagues for networking, celebrations of accomplishment, unit spotlights, a strategic plan panel, divisional updates and discussions of key initiatives and priorities that will help shape the future.
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