Contact: Michael Padilla, 277-1816

October 29, 2002 Carlsbad Native Randy Boeglin serves as Dean of Students at UNM Winning an election by one vote was a defining moment for University of New Mexico Dean of Students Randy Boeglin. That win, he says, led him to where he is today. "If I would have lost I probably would have not continued working in the student services field," he says. At that time, Boeglin was an undergraduate student at UNM and was vying for hall governor at Coronado Hall. Since then Boeglin has been committed to helping and guiding students. After working at Frostburg State University and Colorado Northwestern Community College, Boeglin returned to UNM and has been here for 27 years. "I find motivation and passion making a difference in people's lives," Boeglin said. "On a daily basis, people who work in student affairs, like me, have the opportunity to create an environment where students can flourish." He said one of the best parts of his job is seeing the good stuff that students do and knowing that students are really making a difference. He says his job gives him the opportunity to work with the best of the best. Often times, he says, people will give him the compassionate pat on the back when he tells them that he is the Dean of Students and say, "you must have a tough job." But, he says, "I sometimes have to pinch myself to realize that I am getting paid for this job," he says. "There are much more up-sides than there are downsides." Boeglin said the media and the public focus more on the traumatic and dramatic events that the students get involved with but often fails to recognize the institution's philanthropy. His advice is to try to help change these perceptions and celebrate the successes of the institution. "We need to sell who we really are," he says. "It's tough to sell this to the media, but it's worth trying. We are an extremely worthy institution and we have to believe in who we are." Boeglin said the role of students has changed dramatically from what was considered a "traditional" student. "Within the last 15 years there has been a dramatic change in the nature of student lives. Years ago the role of students was carved out of life," Boeglin says. "It was a set-aside period when you weren't a child and you weren't an adult. This was a part of life where students emerged themselves in a university. Students lived a more simpler, more focused life, fewer students worked, didn't have cars, and many didn't have TVs." However, he says, the role of today's students is carved into life not out of life. "There is an intense level of complexities, many of our students are parents, they work, have cars, have car payments and car insurance, and this period of life has become more complex." He said the challenge becomes how do students decide on what is their primary role and how can an institution deal these competing issues? "We have to work with students and help them with time management, work around their schedules and do our best to help them," he says, adding that many students have many other financial obligations. Be caring, compassionate and try to be more forgiving, he advises. "As humans it is hard to forgive," he says, "But, you have to be willing to forgive." Boeglin oversees the entire Dean of Students office which includes, Student Activities Center, Residence Life, Loborientation, Lobo Network and student discipline. He also works closely with ASUNM leaders. Boeglin holds a bachelor's and master's degree, both from UNM. He says he was very driven at doing his best in college and received an award for the graduating senior with the highest gpa in the College of Arts and Sciences. He said manages to get to Carlsbad to visit his mother and sister from time to time, and heads north to fish. Boeglin considers his wife Patsy to be his role-model and the most influential person in his life. He met her at a parking lot dance behind Coronado Hall in 1964. She is now a teacher at La Cueva High School. They have two children, Eric and Shelly, and one grandchild. He says he goes with the flow but often makes sure that the flow is going in the right direction. His flow may have changed by one vote, but he is grateful to be where he is today. ###

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981