Student Life Communications Specialist

New Mexico State University; New Mexico; On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

New Mexico State University in Las Cruces seeks a Student Life Communications Specialist to lead digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies. This role shapes how students discover programs, events, and campus traditions.

You will administer Encoura Engage, manage websites and social channels, develop multimedia content, provide platform training, and use analytics to boost involvement and student success.

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with Encoura Engage or similar student engagement platforms.
• Knowledge of WCAG 2.1, ADA/FERPA compliance in higher education.
• Supervisory experience with student employees or interns.
• Strong written and visual communication, data reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for Student Life’s digital communications, marketing, branding, and student engagement technologies.
• Administer and optimize Encoura Engage (Crimson Connection), the university's primary student engagement platform, ensuring it serves recognized student organizations and campus partners.
• Develop and implement comprehensive communication and marketing strategies that increase student involvement and promote campus programs and traditions.
• Manage Student Life websites, digital communications, social media, publications, photography, videography, and multimedia content with branding and accessibility adherence.
• Provide consultation and training on Encoura Engage and use analytics to guide continuous improvement.

Skills

Digital communications

Marketing strategy

Student engagement

Training and consulting

Data analytics

Education

Associate's Degree + 4 years experience or Bachelor's Degree + 2 years experience

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Encoura Engage

CampusGroups

Presence

Canva

Adobe Creative Cloud

Job description

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

PositionTitle: Student Life Communications Specialist

College/Division: Provost Office

Department: 520830-STUDENT LIFE

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable):

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)

If Not a Standard Work Schedule:

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.

Equivalent Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Communications, or a related discipline. Experience working with Ecoura 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.

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.