Evidence-Based Practices & Professional Foundations
CEOP’s work is shaped by students, campus data, research, professional practice, and the communities we serve.
CEOP’s work is not built around one program model or one theory. Students do not experience college in separate boxes. A student may be trying to understand financial aid, register for the right classes, find community, pass a difficult course, support their family, manage stress, or think about graduate school.
Our role is to help make those next steps clearer and easier to navigate. We draw from research, professional practice, student feedback, campus data, and community knowledge while remaining responsive to the individual student in front of us.
Why This Matters
Good student support should be thoughtful, practical, and responsive. CEOP uses evidence and experience to guide how we support students and families. This aligns with the Division of Student Affairs commitment to evidence-based and culturally responsive student-success practices.
Ideas That Inform Our Work
These principles help CEOP design programs, strengthen services, and respond to the changing needs of students and families.
Belonging and Social Connection
Students are more likely to keep going when they feel like they belong and know someone is paying attention. Belonging, connection, and trusted relationships are central to how CEOP works with students.
Clear Guidance at the Right Time
Students often need help before a problem becomes too large. Timely guidance can help students understand requirements, make decisions, register for classes, and connect with the right office or person.
High-Impact Practices
High-Impact Practices help students stay engaged, apply what they are learning, and build stronger connections. CEOP contributes through first-year transition, cohorts, peer learning, undergraduate research, leadership, and community engagement.
Peer Mentoring and Near-Peer Support
Sometimes the best support comes from someone who recently walked the same path. Peer mentors and student leaders help students ask questions, find resources, build confidence, and feel less alone.
Peer Learning and Academic Momentum
Students benefit from structured academic support, especially in challenging courses. CEOP’s Peer Learning Facilitator program is part of a broader family of peer-supported academic-success strategies.
Whole-Student Wellness
Students bring their whole selves to college. SAMHSA’s Eight Dimensions of Wellness reminds us that well-being includes emotional, social, physical, financial, intellectual, occupational, environmental, and spiritual wellness.
Student Employment, Scholarships, and Opportunity Funding
Support is also opportunity. Paid student roles, scholarships, research funding, conference travel, and leadership experiences help students build confidence, develop skills, and remain connected while addressing real financial barriers.
First-Generation Student Support
First-generation students bring strengths, motivation, family pride, and community knowledge to UNM. Strong support also means making college easier to navigate, explaining hidden expectations, and connecting students with people they trust.
Research and Graduate-School Preparation
Research, faculty mentorship, and graduate-school preparation help students see new possibilities for themselves. CEOP supports these pathways through mentoring, conferences, research preparation, and graduate-school guidance.
Support Is Also Opportunity
For many students, a paid campus role, scholarship, research stipend, or conference opportunity is more than financial help. It is a way to build confidence, develop skills, connect with mentors, and remain engaged at UNM.
Professional Networks That Strengthen Our Work
CEOP team members stay connected to professional communities focused on orientation, transition, retention, student affairs, college access, TRIO programs, first-year experience, and student success.
NODA
NODA supports professionals working with orientation, transition, and retention in higher education.
National Resource Center
The National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition focuses on student transitions, research, and effective practices.
NASPA
NASPA supports student affairs professionals through learning, networking, research, advocacy, and professional development.
Council for Opportunity in Education
COE supports college-access and student-success work connected to TRIO programs and educational opportunity.
SWASAP
SWASAP supports TRIO professionals and educational-opportunity programs across the Southwest region.
TRIO New Mexico
TRIO New Mexico connects professionals across the state through communication, advocacy, networking, and professional development.
Selected Sources and Resources
These resources are examples of the research, practice guides, and professional frameworks that help inform CEOP’s approach.
A Commitment to Getting Better
CEOP continues to learn, assess, and improve. Our goal is to use evidence, experience, student feedback, and collaboration to strengthen the work we do with students, families, and campus partners.
