IT Newsletter
Leadership Insight
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“We are in the middle of an IT transformation,” Stanfill said. “All these changes improve the engagement experience with IT functions, and they directly align with the President’s strategic vision for the future of NMSU.” |
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Jim Stanfill, |
A New Era of Innovation: Transforming IT at NMSU
Since taking the helm in September 2024, New Mexico State University’s Chief Information Officer Jim Stanfill as led the Information Technology Department through one of the most ambitious transformations in the university’s history. With a bold vision, a strategic plan, and a firm commitment to improving the student, faculty, and staff experience, NMSU IT has reorganized, invested, and innovated at every level.
“We are in the middle of an IT transformation,” Jim said. “All these changes improve the engagement experience with IT functions, and they directly align with the President’s strategic vision for the future of NMSU.”
These improvements, he added, strengthen NMSU’s technology foundation while creating a more connected, supportive, and innovative environment for every member of the NMSU community.
Jim has also focused on building a strong leadership team, filling all director positions and continuing efforts to recruit for remaining vacancies to ensure the right expertise is in place to guide this transformation.
Building a Stronger Organization
One of Jim’s first priorities was to reorganize the IT department to deliver services more effectively and with greater accountability. This restructuring was not just about moving boxes on an organizational chart. It was about aligning people and resources with the university’s mission.
The department has adopted a modern support model grounded in best practices leveraging Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and project management standards. Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are being implemented to ensure reliable and consistent technology support across campus. Alongside these efforts, IT introduced new project management disciplines and processes to strengthen accountability and consistency across initiatives. The department also advanced a budget modernization effort, ensuring resources are allocated strategically to support NMSU’s long-term goals.
“By reorganizing, IT has built a more responsive culture that prioritizes collaboration and service excellence over silos,” Jim said.
Investing in Security and Access
As part of its modernization efforts, NMSU has recently acquired Rapid Identity, an Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) solution designed specifically for higher education customers.
Rapid Identity will allow the Identity and Access Management (IAM) team to automate key processes such as onboarding access requests and account cleanup during offboarding. This systemwide initiative will improve the speed and accuracy of granting access to digital resources for students, faculty and staff.
We look forward to improving learning and working experience here at NMSU, said Allen Purcell, director of enterprise system administration at NMSU IT.
Earlier this year, IT completed two major Data and Identity Access Management assessments which now guide the strategy for systemwide improvements in how the university manages access, reporting and decision support.
A transformation of this scale requires sustainable funding. To meet that need, IT has revised its budget model, aligning costs more closely with institutional priorities and ensuring resources are used strategically.
By directly aligning technology investments to academic goals, IT is not just supporting the institution, but it’s helping to drive it forward.
“Our goal is to improve the student, faculty, and staff experience through technology,” Jim said. “That’s the purpose behind every decision we are making.”
Transforming the Student and Faculty Experience
At the center of every IT investment, the goal is to make the NMSU experience better whether it is in the classrooms, learning online or managing day-to-day operations.
A major step forward is the development of a new NMSU portal that was launched in Fall 2025. Branded as myNMSU2.0, this initiative modernized access to student and administrative tools. It streamlined navigation and created a more intuitive user experience.
Beginning in Spring 2026, students will also benefit from expanded virtual computer labs, which will allow them to use personal devices to access high-demand software. This will reduce the cost for campus labs while increasing flexibility for learners.
Modernizing Enterprise Systems
Behind the scenes, IT is actively working to address some of the university’s most critical business systems to improve efficiency and reliability. Future plans include the Banner Revitalization Project, which will modernize the 20-year-old Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
At the same time, IT is evaluating new data tools to further improve analytics, reporting and transparency across the institution.
Investing in Reliability and Resilience
IT has invested in critical infrastructure to ensure reliability and resilience across campus. A new generator for the computer center is one example of this forward-thinking approach. If the central power system goes down, the generator provides immediate power backup, keeping services operational and ensuring continuity.
A new generator is one example of this forward-thinking approach. If the central power system goes down, the generator provides immediate power backup, keeping services operational and ensuring continuity.
Expanding the Campus Network Access
Reliable connectivity is essential for modern learning and collaboration. This semester, with more students on campus relying on wireless access, the team doubled the available IP address capacity from 16,000 to 32,000 to ensure every device can connect seamlessly to the network.
NMSU IT has also continued to partner with the State of New Mexico on the Statewide Education Network, a collaborative effort to expand high-speed connectivity and improve access for institutions across the state.
- Enhanced Operational Reporting Dashboards
- Developed New Data Strategy that will Benefit All
- Purchased/Installed Modern Backup Capability
Stay Secure
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is Underway
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here, and NMSU IT is actively joining universities nationwide to promote smarter, safer online habits.
Technology powers how we learn, teach, and connect, but it also brings risks. A single click on a suspicious link, a weak password, or oversharing online can compromise personal data and university systems.
All month long, NMSU IT is sharing resources, hosting presentations, and offering tips to help students, faculty, and staff stay secure.
Sessions are already underway, both in person and virtual, where our security team is sharing practical guidance and answering your questions about online safety.
“Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility,” said Dennis Coriell, Chief Information Security Officer at NMSU. “By working together and learning a few simple habits, we can make NMSU safer and more resilient.”
Coriell also emphasized staying alert: “If you see something, say something. Report unusual activity to InfoSec.”
To report suspicious activity, email infosec@nmsu.edu.
5 Cybersecurity Tips Everyone Can Use
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Think Before You Click: Be cautious with links and attachments from unknown or unexpected sources.
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Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create long passphrases and don’t reuse them.
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Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer beyond your password.
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Update Regularly: Keep devices and apps current with the latest security updates.
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Protect Your Personal Info – Share sensitive information only on trusted, secure sites.
Review the session schedule below and participate in one of the cybersecurity presentations available throughout October.
Update Alert
Windows 10 is Reaching End of Life: What You Need to Know
Microsoft will officially end support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, marking the end of updates, security patches, and technical support for the operating system. To stay secure and compliant with NMSU policy, all faculty, staff, and student employees using Windows 10 devices that connect to the NMSU network must upgrade or replace their computers.
After support ends, devices running Windows 10 will no longer receive critical updates, leaving them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Per NMSU ARP 15.75, devices without up-to-date operating systems may be disconnected from the network to protect university systems.
If your device supports Windows 11, please plan to upgrade as soon as possible. Devices that are not compatible should be replaced to ensure continued access to secure NMSU services.
Taking action now helps protect your data, your device, and the entire NMSU network.
Got a problem? Submit an IT support ticket here, or visit the webpage for more information and resources.
Learning Hub
Expand Your Skills with LinkedIn Learning: Free for All NMSU Aggies
Whether you’re building your resume, expanding your professional skills, or filling in some knowledge gaps, Linkedln Learning gives all New Mexico State University students, faculty and staff unlimited access to thousands of expert-led online courses anytime, anywhere.
LinkedIn Learning is a campus-wide tool powered by NMSU. Managed by IT Communications, and accessible through myNMSU.
Linkedln Learning is a NMSU-provided multifaced tool that allows students, faculty and staff to expand their professional development. Link In Learning integrates with AI to give users interactive experiences, so that they may use these practices in professional settings.
LinkedIn Learning offers Career Services such as: resume expanding, AI interview roleplay, coding practice, and career path mapping. These are tools that users can access anytime.
Additionally, users can click on Teaching Academy for student success, co-curricular transcript, internships, and certifications.
The Center for Learning Development (CLPD), has integrated Linkedln Learning into Cornerstone to allow staff to track their Linkedln Learning trainings, certifications and courses within their employee profile as professional development. For student employees, your employer can ask you to take certificate courses to expand your skills.
Faculty can integrate it as a supplement to their courses, and fill in any knowledge gaps for students, or provide additional resources to students on topics they don’t have time to cover in their classes. The Teaching Academy is exploring other ways to help faculty use this tool within our academic landscape.
To access LinkedIn, users can search the Linkedln learning card on the myNMSU portal or go directly to li.nmsu.edu.
Get started:
- Go to your myNMSU homepage.
- Click View All Cards.
- Search for LinkedIn Learning.
- Set up your account using your myNMSU credentials.
Quick Bytes
Computer Labs, Help Desk Now Share Same Hours
Computer labs and the Help Desk now follow the same schedule:
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8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday
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10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
NMSU IT has strengthened resources at Hardman and Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center, Pete’s Labs, and general-use stations across campus to provide the technology and support you need. Virtual lab updates are coming soon.
For more information, contact the NMSU IT Help Desk at 575-646-4357 or help@nmsu.edu.
Did you Know?
Reliable connectivity is key to modern learning and collaboration.
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This semester, IT doubled IP address capacity from 16,000 to 32,000, improving wireless access for everyone on campus.
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Connect to Aggie WiFi. It’s the fastest and most reliable way to stay connected anywhere on campus.