Dear colleagues, 

I want to use this message to give visibility to the administrative positions available in Academic Affairs. The first position is deputy provost, which plays a crucial role in supporting Academic Affairs on campus. The deputy provost works closely with associate provosts, deans, and external agencies on academic agreements, policy compliance and implementation. The second position available is associate provost for Institutional Effectiveness, responsible for overseeing accreditation and program assessments. Separate search committees are in place for these two senior positions. Dean Pontelli is leading the search for the deputy provost position, while Dean Ashenbaum is leading the search for the associate provost for Institutional Effectiveness. The application deadline for both positions is August 20, 2024. For more information and to apply, please visit https://careers.nmsu.edu. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications for both roles. 

Additionally, we are seeking a faculty fellow to help with faculty success. This position was developed in collaboration with Faculty Senate leadership before the summer break, and we are awaiting the return of faculty members to officially announce this opportunity. A comprehensive job description will be emailed shortly. 

Following consultations with our University General Counsel and extensive discussions with faculty and administrative leadership, we have decided to launch a pilot program for an ombudsman. This presents a valuable opportunity for individuals interested in providing support to fellow faculty members facing challenging situations. Those interested are encouraged to contact me directly for further details about this opportunity. 

I hope that we actively participate in the interview processes for these and other important positions, including the chief information officer and, of course, the next president of NMSU. 

I am pleased to announce that we received additional funding to support the Higher Learning Commission Data Quality Initiative. This funding will enable us to hire two additional staff members and two graduate students in the Office of Institutional Analysis. This department serves as the primary source responsible for generating data used across various offices on campus. 

Among all of my meetings last week, our discussion on water research coordination was the most impactful. According to our academic deans and vice president for Research, Creativity and Economic Development, over 200 faculty members from all colleges on campus are engaged in water research in one form or other. We are fortunate to have exceptional professors and researchers addressing unique problems associated with water resources in New Mexico. Water research encompasses diverse areas such as agriculture, produced water, water management, and water treatment and remediation. I will work with our faculty and administration, including our deans and VPRCED, to enhance coordination, support, synergy, and visibility to this important theme. Water research is one of our signature strengths at NMSU, and our faculty's efforts have earned us national recognition. We are NMSU. 

Lakshmi N. Reddi
Interim Provost
New Mexico State University