After a highly competitive national search, Eric Scott, vice president for Student Affairs, has named the three finalists for the new director of operations in Student Affairs. They are Laura J. Hall, Florencio Olguin, and Wade Brown. Each finalist will host a meet and greet session in the SUB Santa Ana room from 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. on the days listed below.
The director of operations will serve as a member of the Student Affairs executive team and provide strategic guidance and consultation to the Vice President for Student Affairs on a wide range of administrative and operational issues. Additional responsibilities include designing and implementing plans and initiatives that align division-level projects, strategic planning, assessment, grant writing, professional development and divisional communication. As the HR division representative, they will be charged with monitoring and overseeing all escalated staffing and employee relations issues.
Laura J. Hall
Tuesday, May 9
Laura Hall is a passionate and experienced leader at the University of New Mexico. She has a strong commitment to the University and the opportunities and advancements it creates for New Mexico. Laura’s unwavering commitment to student success and academic excellence has been evident throughout her various roles at UNM. Currently, she serves as the division head for resources, archives, and discovery at UNM Health Sciences Library. In this role, Laura oversees a team of faculty and staff responsible for providing library and information resources, negotiating multi-year and multi-million-dollar contracts in support of the UNM HSC’s education, research and clinical care missions.
Florencio Olguin
Monday, May 15
Florencio Olguin Jr. is a candidate for Director of Operations for Student Affairs at the University of New Mexico and currently serves as Academic Operations Officer for the College of Fine Arts at UNM. In this role, he directs all administrative functions of the College including human resources, faculty affairs, facilities management, fiscal sustainability, and strategic planning. Prior to his current position, Florencio spent 8 years at UNM’s Anderson School of Management where he was Director of Student Services and oversaw the operations of a comprehensive team that included academic advisement, career services, graduate admissions, and student recruitment. Florencio has also held adjunct faculty positions in First Year Seminar at Central New Mexico Community College and UNM.
Wade Brown
Tuesday, May 16
Wade Brown, Ph.D., is the assistant director of Thematic Communities and center manager for the Department of Residential Life at Indiana University Bloomington (IU). He oversees 13 thematic learning communities and three residence halls with nearly 3,000 students. Before becoming Assistant Director, Brown was the research and assessment specialist for the Division of Residential Programs and Services at IU. His responsibilities included residential curriculum, student learning assessment, strategic planning, marketing research, and accreditation. Brown believes in the transformative opportunities higher education can provide people to pursue their dreams in a free and open society.
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