Student Life Communications Specialist

New Mexico State University; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University seeks a Student Life Communications Specialist to lead digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies. You will administer Encoura Engage, manage campus websites and social content, and collaborate with student leaders to promote programs and events.

You will develop robust communication strategies, provide training, ensure accessibility compliance, and use analytics to improve engagement and student success across campus life.

Qualifications

• Associates degree plus 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Encoura Engage or similar student engagement platforms.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare user-friendly reports and summaries.
• Familiarity with accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and FERPA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the university's digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies.
• Administer and optimize Encoura Engage (Crimson Connection) for recognized student organizations and campus partners.
• Develop and implement strategies to increase student involvement and promote programs, events, and traditions.
• Provide platform training and support; use analytics to guide continuous improvement.

Skills

Communication skills

Data analysis

Supervisory experience

Education

Associate's Degree +4 years experience

Bachelor's degree +2 years experience

Tools

Encoura Engage

CampusGroups

Presence

Canva

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

• 504100
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Oct 7 2026 - 23:55 MDT

Department Contact

Jana Williams, 575-646-1722, [e-mail]

Internal or External Search

External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary

Looking for creative and passionate professional to join our team. The Student Life Communications Specialist provides strategic leadership for Student Life's digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies. This position manages and optimizes Crimson Connection, Student Life websites, social media, publications, and multimedia content to promote programs, services, events, and campus traditions. Working collaboratively with student leaders and campus partners, the specialist develops innovative communication strategies, provides platform training and support, and uses engagement analytics to increase student involvement and advance student success.

Position Details

Position Title: Student Life Communications Specialist

College/Division: Provost Office

Department: 520830-STUDENT LIFE

Location: Las Cruces

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $43,908.80 (Commensurate with qualifications.)

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: 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)

Job Duties and Responsibilities

The Student Life Communications Specialist provides strategic leadership for Student Life's digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies. The position is responsible for administering and optimizing Encoura Engage (Crimson Connection), the university's primary student engagement platform, ensuring it serves as an effective resource for recognized student organizations, Student Life departments, university partners, and the campus community. The Student Life Communications Specialist develops and implements comprehensive communication and marketing strategies that increase student involvement, promote co-curricular learning opportunities, and enhance the visibility of Student Life programs, services, events, and campus traditions.

The Student Life Communications Specialist manages Student Life websites, digital communications, social media platforms, electronic communications, print publications, photography, videography, and multimedia content while ensuring compliance with university branding, accessibility, and data privacy standards. Working collaboratively with student leaders, university departments, and campus partners, the position provides consultation and training on the effective use of Encoura Engage, supports communications for major campus events and initiatives, and utilizes engagement analytics to assess effectiveness and guide continuous improvement. Through innovative communication strategies and technology solutions, this position advances student engagement, supports student success, and contributes to the mission and strategic priorities of Student Life.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience: Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Communications, or a related discipline.
• Experience working with Encoura Engage at an administrative level or similar product.
• Familiarity with web accessibility standards (WCAG 2.1) and ADA/FERPA compliance in a higher education context.
• Supervisory experience, particularly with student employees or interns.
• Knowledge of risk management principles and branding standards in a university setting.
• Demonstrated experience with digital communication platforms and student engagement systems (e.g., Encoura Engage, CampusGroups, Presence).
• Proficiency with social media management tools, content management systems, and design software (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud).
• Strong written and visual communication skills with the ability to translate complex programs into engaging messages for student audiences.
• Experience with student affairs, student organizations, event promotion, or campus programming.
• Ability to analyze data and prepare user-friendly reports and summaries.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Requesting an Accommodation

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and New Mexico State University policy, if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply, interview, or complete onboarding for a position with New Mexico State University, or if you cannot use the online application system, please visit our Accessibility & Accommodations page to initiate an accommodation request