Assistant VP Student Life and Involvement

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 demonstrat