Assistant VP Student Life and Involvement

• 503553
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Jun 22 2026 - 23:55 MDT
  
  

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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.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSU Global Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance. 

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.