Taking their Tern to Lead: Student Affairs Leadership Interns Rise to the Challenge
March 31, 2026 - Dorene DiNaro
In fall 2024, Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Eric Scott launched the Student Affairs Leadership Intern (SALI) program to engage top student leaders in outreach, development and programmatic support within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. Now in its second year, the program has welcomed four outstanding student leaders who are helping shape the future of the UNM student experience.
Designed to provide mentorship and career exploration in student affairs, SALI offers participants meaningful insight into the division’s work and direct access to its leadership. Interns contribute to essential functions within the OVPSA, including assessment, communications, development, event planning and administrative support.
“Our leadership interns are positioned to directly serve, advise and influence the Division of Student Affairs as we execute the ambitious Innovating the Student Experience strategic plan,” Scott said. “The program — and the leaders we have welcomed into it — have had a real and genuine impact on divisional decision-making while creating space for service, learning and growth.”
Scott said he is grateful for the poise and perspective interns bring to the office as they work to improve campus life in real time while also experiencing it as students.
In their roles, interns help foster a vibrant, inclusive campus environment where every Lobo feels supported and empowered. They also gain firsthand experience with the operations and initiatives that shape the student experience across the division.
The program emphasizes professional accountability, exposure to student affairs career pathways, and preparation for graduate studies and future roles in higher education. Through hands-on work in assessment, reporting and divisional projects, interns build practical skills and strengthen evidence-based decision-making. SALI also encourages innovation by giving students opportunities to develop and implement ideas that enhance services, programs and campus life.
The inaugural cohort included UNM seniors Brandon Chavarria-Salazar and Kaelyn Moon, followed by current interns Miriam Barba and Bree Hawkins. All four remained actively involved in campus and community organizations throughout their time at UNM, both academically and through their SALI roles. Barba and Hawkins are preparing to graduate this spring.
Chavarria-Salazar, now an academic adviser in the College of Fine Arts, and Moon, a student success specialist in African American Student Services, credit their time as SALIs as pivotal to their professional success. For Chavarria-Salazar, the internship offered a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of student affairs and higher education as a whole.
“Through SALI, I had the opportunity to provide a student perspective on the Student Engagement and Success Committee, attend Board of Regents open sessions, participate in workshops on equity-minded assessment and network with student affairs professionals,” he said. “These experiences helped me stand out when applying for positions and supported a smooth transition from student to professional.”
Moon said the role played a key part in shaping her leadership journey.
“Working in the SALI position gave me a bird’s-eye view of student affairs and really strengthened my passion for this work,” Moon said. “Being part of the strategic plan helped me fine-tune that passion and realize this is exactly the career I want to pursue.”
Both alumni said the SALI experience helped them grow professionally and gain clarity about their future paths, underscoring the program’s value in preparing students for careers in higher education.
In many ways, the inaugural group passed the torch to the second cohort: Barba, a Chicana and Chicano studies and political science major, and Hawkins, a biology and political science major. Barba said she was encouraged to apply by her close friend and former SALI, Chavarria-Salazar.
“He spoke highly of the experience and the professional growth it offered,” Barba said. “I hoped the role would allow me to build on my own experiences and contribute to the supportive campus environment I care about.”
Barba said the program deepened her appreciation for cross-campus mentorship.
“Connecting with staff and student employees across different student affairs departments allowed me to learn from a variety of perspectives and better understand the interconnected nature of the division,” she said. “These mentorship experiences helped me grow professionally, build meaningful relationships and feel more confident navigating higher education spaces.”
One of her biggest takeaways, Barba said, was gaining a clearer understanding of how decisions are made within student affairs and the level of collaboration behind initiatives that impact students.
“This experience helped me understand how student affairs not only supports students in the present but also actively prepares them for future leadership and professional roles,” she said.
Hawkins found her way to the SALI program through her involvement with the Associated Students of UNM, where she most recently served as chief of staff.
“Working closely with student organizations, resource centers and UNM administration gave me valuable exposure to campus operations,” Hawkins said. “That experience inspired me to join the Vice President for Student Affairs office to help create the best possible college experience for all students.”
She added that seeing how decisions made in the VPSA office affect the organizations she supports has been especially meaningful.
For Hawkins, one of the most impactful lessons was the importance of remaining open to communication, feedback and the lived experiences of others.
“Through this position, I’ve interacted with students across campus I would have never had the pleasure of meeting before,” she said. “Learning about their experiences has shaped my view of UNM and driven my goals and programming.”
Looking ahead, the SALI program continues to grow as a cornerstone of leadership development within the Division of Student Affairs. By offering hands-on experience, mentorship and exposure to high-level decision-making, the program equips student leaders with the skills and confidence to excel beyond graduation. As new cohorts join, SALI remains committed to fostering future professionals who will shape inclusive, student-centered environments in higher education and beyond.
