CONNECT Newsletter

Click here to read this week's CONNECT

CONNECT  |  Wednesday, Feb. 19|  Message from the VP

Message from the Vice President 

Dear Student Affairs Colleagues,

Tomorrow evening we will celebrate student contributions to campus at the Lobo Leadership and Involvement Awards. I always appreciate this ceremony because students are recognized for their activity and involvement across a broad range of touch points from undergraduate research, to student organization leadership, to employment and volunteerism, and beyond. It serves as a reminder that student involvement spans a variety of visible and less visible forms of engagement and each is a valid part of the educational experience. We in Student Affairs strive always to enhance the student experience and endeavor to incorporate evidence-based and culturally responsive practices into that service. These themes will be prevalent in the reveal of our new mission and vision for the division next Friday at our spring All Staff Gathering. Following the progress on our Engage to Innovate strategic planning process combining a vast body of data from significant participation from our division, students, and key partners, we are now on track to finalize our strategic plan with measurable goals and tactics by early summer. 

We continue to honor the service of longtime staff and onboard new members of our team. This week, we welcomed Stephanie Bright as executive assistant in the office of the VPSA. Stephanie has returned home to New Mexico and UNM from Vanderbilt University, stepping into the role long held by Natalie Brigance. We are excited that Stephanie has joined us even as we continue feeling gratitude for Natalie’s extensive and enduring service. 

In the Accessibility Resource Center, Amanda Butrum is retiring after nearly 20 years of service to UNM. Amanda has been a highly successful advocate for students with disabilities and an active contributor to our Student Affairs Leadership Team. We wish Amanda the best on the next steps of her personal and professional journey. Following a national search, the division has invited three finalists for ARC director to campus this week. Please see information below and participate as you are able. During the brief interim period, Dean of Students, Nasha Torrez, will serve as acting director of ARC. 

Finally, I want to welcome back our delegation serving as part of the Family U team for UNM as they return from their cohort meeting in California. These staff members accompanied President Stokes to explore alongside peer institutions opportunities to activate strategies to further strengthen our culture for student parents as an institution.  This serves as just one more example of the Division of Student Affairs taking a leadership role on providing an innovative and equitable student experience.

With appreciation,

Eric