Residential Engagement Fellows

Residential Engagement Fellows (REF) are dedicated faculty members who create meaningful connections with students outside the classroom. Each REF dedicates approximately 25 hours each semester to design and implement opportunities to interact with campus residents. REFs work with a designated Resident Activities Planner (RAP) and Resident Director (RD) to enhance the sense of community and student experience.

REFs will be provided training prior to campus opening in August as well as continual support throughout the year. REFs DO NOT live on campus.

Residential Engagement Fellows description

Are you interested? If you would like to apply for a Residential Engagement Fellows position, please complete the interest form.  

Eligibility

Applicants must be current NMSU or DACC faculty members throughout their term in the position.

Renumeration

$1,500 stipend for the academic year ($750 per semester – fall and spring) to be paid in a one-time payment each semester. Appointed term is August 1, 2024 – May 15, 2025; stipend will be prorated if REF begins their position after August 1 and/or resigns before completing their term.

Expectations of Residential Engagement Fellows

Each REF is expected to dedicate approximately 25 hours per semester on the following items:

  • Attend REF training session during August student employee training
  • Be visible in assigned community during move-in weekend
  • Attend introductory community meeting
  • Attend 2 check-in meetings with the Associate Director or delegate per semester
  • In conjunction with the residential programming curriculum, co-plan and co-facilitate designated activities with their assigned RAP
  • Participate in monthly meetings with RD and RAP
  • Attend other hall meetings and activities when possible
  • Establish meaningful relationships with residents of Housing and Residential Life
  • Offer intentional opportunities to connect with and support residents
  • Be an advocate and resource for residents in support of their academic success and positive collegiate experience
  • Represent NMSU, Department/College, and Housing and Residential Life in a positive manner
  • Share ideas/resources with other Residential Engagement Fellows in person and via the Residential Engagement Fellows Teams channel
  • Document activities and communication by submitting a monthly check-in report using the online form
  • Serve as a mandatory reporter for any concerning student behavior
  • Communicate with Associate Director of Residential Education regularly regarding community progress

If you are interested in learning more about the Residential Engagement Fellows position, view the full job description or contact Michelle Bernstein at 575-646-5590 or michbern@nmsu.edu.

Think someone is a great Residential Engagement Fellow candidate? Please fill out the nomination form.

I was able to talk to some students about their majors and some of them are interested in what I do, especially the study abroad program. I feel that I can exercise my field to help them grow!

While I was walking my dog, just outside of Garcia, I ran into a student on her way to a campus meeting. She asked if she could pet the dog, and then, after a few minutes, described that she had been experiencing panic attacks to were limiting her ability to do things on campus. I walked with her to the campus meeting and felt like in that moment, that was what she needed.

I have a lot of appreciation for students living on campus with their families. I hadn’t considered some of their struggles in the past. Time constraints and juggling school/work/family is a challenge!


Residential Engagement Fellows Housing Details

First-Year Residential Experience

Garcia West 
Student population: First-year students
Building type: Suite-style residence hall with doors opening into patios
LLCs: ACES, Computer Science and Technology, Education, Nursing, Science and Health, and Social Sciences

Garcia East 
Student population: First-year students
Building type: Suite-style residence hall with doors opening into patios
LLCs: Criminal Justice, Engineering, Fine Arts, Honors

Rhodes Garrett Hamiel (RGH)
Student population: First-year students
Building type: Suite-style and community bath residence halls with doors opening into hallways; RGH is on the Historic Register
LLCs: CAMP

Juniper Hall
Student population: First-year students
Building type: Suite-style residence hall with doors opening into hallways
No LLCs

Piñon Hall
Student population: First-year students
Building type: Suite-style residence hall with doors opening into patios
LLCs: Business, Professional Golf Management (PGM), Sports in Society

Sophomore and above

Cervantes Village 
Student Population: Sophomores and above, transfer students, Fraternities
Building type: One, two, and four bedroom apartments
LLCs: No LLCs  

Vista Del Monte 
Student population: Sophomores and above, transfer students, international/study abroad students, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) students
Building type: Two bedroom, one bath apartments
LLCs: Global Village

Student Family Housing 
Student Population: Students with families, veterans, international students
Building type: Four bedroom, two bath apartments and two bedroom, one bath single family homes with driveway and fenced yard
No LLCs, but home to Veterans’ Row community

Chamisa Village 
Student population: Sophomores and above, transfer students
Building type: Two and Four bedroom apartments
No LLCs