Department Contact: Ann Coombes-Goodman, 575-646-1722, anng@nmsu.edu

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: New Mexico State University seeks a dynamic and student-centered leader to serve as Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Involvement. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President/Dean of Students, this position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a comprehensive portfolio of student engagement and campus life programs, including Student Organization Management & Recognition, Fraternity and Sorority Life, ASNMSU, Student Media, Leadership Engagement & Traditions, Campus Programs, Health & Prevention Education, and Sport Clubs.

The Assistant Vice President plays a key role in fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and values-driven student experience that promotes leadership development, student engagement, belonging, well-being, and student success. This position also provides leadership in policy development, risk management education, expressive activities, and student organization governance while ensuring compliance with institutional policies and constitutional principles related to freedom of speech, association, and viewpoint neutrality. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and innovative leader with a strong commitment to student development, co-curricular learning, and advancing the mission and values of New Mexico State University.

Position Details

Position Title: Assistant VP Student Life and Involvement

College/Division: Student Success & Enroll Management

Department: 520450-STUDENT INVLMT & LDRSHP PGM, OFC OF

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Not Applicable

Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The Assistant VP of Student Affairs services as the managing director of Student Involvement units at NMSU and provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a comprehensive portfolio of student engagement and campus life areas. Reporting to the Senior Associate Vice President/Dean of Students, the AVP is responsible for fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and values-driven student experience by overseeing Student Organization Management & Recognition, Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Associated Students of NMSU (ASNMSU), Student Media, Leadership Engagement & Traditions, Campus Programs, Health & Prevention Education and Sport Clubs.

The Asst VP provides critical leadership in policy development and implementation related to expressive activities, risk management education, and student organization recognition. This includes ensuring institutional compliance with constitutional principles governing freedom of speech, association, and viewpoint neutrality, as well as the legal expectations surrounding student organization rights and responsibilities. The AVP advises on issues of risk mitigation for student-led events and activities, ensuring alignment with university policies and legal standards.

Serving as a key campus leader, the Asst VP collaborates across departments to advance student development, co-curricular learning, community engagement, and institutional values. The AVP fosters an environment that supports student voice, leadership, well-being, and belonging, while also guiding campus wide strategies that promote equity, accountability, and student success.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: 
Bachelor's degree + 10 years of relevant experience, to include at least 2 years at senior management/executive Level. Master's degree or higher preferred.

Equivalent Qualifications: 

Preferred Qualifications: 
Doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in Higher Education Administration, Law, Public Policy, or a related discipline.

Familiarity with federal and state compliance standards affecting student organizations (e.g., Clery, Title IX, ADA, FERPA).

Experience designing, facilitating, and evaluating risk management education for student leaders and advisors, with demonstrated ability to assess institutional risk and legal liability associated with student-led events and high-risk activities.

Demonstrated ability to collaborate with legal counsel, law enforcement, and senior administration on student life policy and compliance issues.

Strong background in assessment, budgeting, and strategic planning in a higher education setting.

Supervisory experience with professional staff and demonstrated success in managing multi-unit departments or programs.

Experience with student organization policy management, risk education, event compliance, and advising student government or governing bodies.

Knowledge of First Amendment principles, including legal considerations related to freedom of speech, expressive activity, and viewpoint neutrality on college campuses.

Demonstrated knowledge and practical application of risk management principles for student organizations and student-led events, including event planning, travel, contracts, and high-risk activities, with an understanding of institutional liability and compliance considerations.

Special Certification/Licensure: 

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions.