Community Relations Services

The vendor is required to provide community relations services and facilitation to advocate for university interests at the state legislative level and with key public and private stakeholders including:
1. Government relations and legislative strategy
•    Advocate to the state legislature and other state agencies on behalf of state athletics.
•    Advocate for athletics‐related funding priorities, capital projects, and policy initiatives through effective lobbying and sustained legislative engagement.
•    Represent nm state athletics during legislative sessions, interim committee hearings, and other state‐level meetings throughout the year.
•    Track relevant legislation, coordinate legislative testimony, and advise the director of athletics on political and funding developments.
2. Strategic engagement
•    Execute strategic events designed to strengthen relationships between legislators and the department of athletics, including events in agency, las cruces, and other key markets.
•    Organize and host special functions in conjunction with home and away athletic events, specifically targeting legislative engagement and advocacy.
3. Fundraising support and community engagement
•    Collaborate with athletics to align fundraising priorities with legislative presence and involvement.
•    Participate in donor cultivation events to enhance the visibility and reach of athletics’ development efforts.
•    Assist in fundraising initiatives for name, image, and likeness (nil) opportunities, and advocate for nil support among legislative and civic leaders.
4. Relationship building
•    Serve as a visible ambassador for the department of athletics, working to build strong, authentic relationships between the director of athletics and elected officials.
•    Cultivate and maintain partnerships with civic, business, and political leaders that can support athletics’ long‐term goals and financial sustainability.
5. Athletic event presence
•    Attend home and selected away athletic events to foster relationships with legislators and donors.
•    Create and coordinate programming around athletic events aimed at enhancing legislative and donor involvement.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: August 27, 2025