New Mexico State University (NMSU), a leading R1 Land Grant Institution, invites applications from experienced educators to serve as the next Vice President for NMSU Global, our digital learning and online education delivery system.
The position will report directly to the President, while establishing strong direct and indirect communications with the vice presidents for Academic Affairs and Finance. The leader occupying this position will serve as a key member of the academic leadership team, further integrating NMSU Global into academic affairs as a strong partner with deans, department heads, faculty and administration to achieve the university’s goals. NMSU Global is poised for significant growth and innovation, positioning the university as a leader in accessible, high-quality digital education in the Southwest and beyond. As part of a mandate by the state legislature, the Vice President for NMSU Global will also lead, direct, and enhance the partnerships with other state universities via “The Hub.” The ideal candidate will bring a record of innovation in online education, and the ability to scale high-quality programs in a complex, multi-campus, shared-governance environment.
Partnering closely with Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, and the University’s business units, NMSU Global’s new Vice President will develop and drive our online and hybrid educational model and strategies—from recruitment, via retention initiatives, to graduation—to ensure that the university continues to meet and exceed the needs of both traditional and lifelong learners across our entire system. In doing so, the role will build on our existing strengths and growth to expand NMSU Global’s influence and impact, as well as continue to lead in applying best pedagogical practices to online environments. As the scope of the outreach grows, the expectation for the position is that it will expand the nascent partnerships with private and public entities to support the upskilling and reskilling of their workforce. The successful candidate will be an entrepreneurial digital expert who can help navigate the dramatic changes to the online and technological environment of higher education, while being mindful to integrate the advances with the professional and educational needs of faculty and students alike, according to a model based in shared governance.
Founded in 1888 as the first public institution of higher learning in the state, NMSU is the Land Grant university of New Mexico. Its overall mission is to educate the people of New Mexico traditional and adult learners); to produce research and innovations that advance the wellbeing of the state; and to provide public service across the state via its educational and innovation achievements. Currently, NMSU is the highest-ranked national university in the state (US News & World Report 2025) and has achieved Research 1 status, as well as being ranked the most affordable national university in the region. In addition, it is designated as a HSIU, MSI, Carnegie Community Engaged University, as well as a gold-standard military friendly university. Across main campus and Global, academic programs are delivered by five colleges in addition to the Honors College and the Graduate School, with a total enrollment of over 16,000 students. Or statewide impact consists of four campuses, 12 research stations, 33 extension offices in every county, including rural and tribal populations and beyond, bringing the system’s overall student population for Fall 2025 to over 23,500.
The initial phases of the search will be launched in early summer, with candidates on campus early in the fall semester, with a starting date of January 1st (Spring Semester), 2027.
REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must possess the following minimum qualifications:
- Master’s degree —Earned master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field (education, instructional design, business, public administration, or an academic discipline offered by the university).
- Progressive leadership experience — Minimum of 7 years of progressive administrative leadership in a post-secondary institution that includes experience in an online, digital, or continuing education environment.
- Online program management expertise — Demonstrated success developing, scaling, and sustaining high‑quality online academic programs.
- Shared governance experience — Proven ability to work effectively with faculty, deans, department heads, and academic committees.
- Budget and operational management — Experience overseeing multi‑million‑dollar budgets, enrollment pipelines, and operational systems.
- External relations capability — Experience representing an institution to external stakeholders such as legislators, state agencies, business leaders, or community partners.
- Data‑informed decision making — Demonstrated ability to use analytics to drive enrollment, retention, and program quality.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Earned doctorate degree.
- Experience Statewide or system‑level collaboration — Experience leading inter‑institutional initiatives, consortia, or shared services.
- Strategic enrollment management — Experience driving online enrollment growth while maintaining academic quality.
- Industry partnership development — Ability to build workforce‑aligned programs and corporate education partnerships.
- Change leadership in digital transformation — Track record of leading organizational change, technology adoption, and innovation at scale.
- Land-Grant Experience — Experience working within, and understanding of, a Land-Grant Institution.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Strategic Leadership, Vision, & Execution— Ability to articulate a compelling vision for the online/global campus and translate it into measurable growth, academic quality, and operational excellence.
- Program Development and Oversight— Leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of NMSU Global education programs, ensuring they meet high academic standards and respond to emerging workforce trends.
- Partnership and Employer Engagement — Cultivates and sustains relationships with employers, community organizations, and government agencies to expand high‑quality experiential learning opportunities and strengthen economic development for the U.S.-Mexico border region.
- Faculty and Academic Collaboration— Works closely with deans, department heads, and faculty to integrate online programs seamlessly across the University.
- Student Access and Support— Ensures that NMSU Global programs are inclusive, accessible, and supportive of undergraduate and graduate students from all backgrounds, with particular attention to reducing barriers for historically underserved populations.
- Assessment and Quality Assurance— Establishes metrics, evaluation processes, and reporting structures to assess program effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and employer satisfaction.
- Operational and Administrative Leadership— Oversees budgets, staffing, policies, and operational processes that support the effective delivery of NMSU Global services and programs. Ability to manage complex budgets, enrollment pipelines, marketing strategies, and technology ecosystems to support sustainable growth.
- External Representation — Serves as a visible ambassador for NMSU in forums related to online education.
- Change Management & Organizational Development—Ability to lead through ambiguity, builds alignment across diverse stakeholders, and drives continuous improvement in a shared‑governance environment.
- Student Success—commitment to ensuring NMSU Global is focused on student success as its core mission.
