Wednesday, August 26, 2026 | Edition #191

Dr. Scott at the African American Student Services Welcome Back BBQ.

Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

Another fantastic year at UNM is underway. Last week, you showed up and set a strong foundation for the year. Our welcome week activities made the message clear for our students: you are welcome here as your full selves, and we care about you. I am proud to be on a campus where that sentiment doesn’t evaporate after week one but rather solidifies as an embedded part of our culture.

Over the next few weeks, many of our resource centers across campus will host welcome back events that showcase celebrations of culture, experience, and identity, many of which intersect in the lives of our students. These events are more than opportunities to gather and share a meal (though I do find that act deeply meaningful); they demystify services and supports and allow students to test the waters on where and how they feel most comfortable showing up. They also provide spaces where students can connect with each other.

Support networks are critical for student success, and low stress, low barrier environments create the conditions to build the relationships that will help students thrive and our community flourish. Throughout the semester, our doors will remain open and ready to help students navigate our campus. This is just the start. It’s what we do, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.

With appreciation,

Eric

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.

Division of Student Affairs

Welcome Back Events

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.

Save the Date for the Fall All Staff Gathering Set for Friday, Sept. 18

The fall 2026 Division All Staff Gathering is set for Friday, Sept. 18 from 8 to 11 a.m. in the SUB, Ballroom C. All Student Affairs staff are invited to join Dr. Eric Scott for this important event which will provide updates on what's happening in the Division. Please look for a calendar invite from the VPSA account which will serve as your rsvp for the event.