SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University joined a group of colleges and universities from across the country for the Hazing Prevention Consortium’s annual summit hosted at the University of Maine in June.

A leader in hazing prevention research, the HPC is a multiyear research-to-practice initiative of StopHazing that supports colleges and universities in planning, developing, and implementing data-informed, campus-wide hazing prevention.

Since 2013, nearly 40 postsecondary institutions have participated in the program. The annual summit is the culminating activity of the HPC and an opportunity for representatives from each campus to learn from internationally recognized researchers, network with colleagues, gain insights from mentors, and learn about evidence-informed campus hazing prevention strategies.

“Meeting collectively with a group of higher ed professionals so passionate about the eradication of hazing was incredibly motivating. The expertise and shared stories of successful hazing prevention efforts are key to providing us with strategic direction for the coming year,” said Ann Goodman, associate vice president and dean of students.

Since joining the Consortium in 2023, NMSU has organized an institutional Hazing Prevention and Education Coalition consisting of faculty, staff, and students representing 17 units and administrative areas. Under the leadership of Goodman and Amber Burdge, NMSU senior associate director of athletics, NMSU has expanded student-athlete and coaches' understanding of what hazing looks like through intentional programming and has focused on strategic prevention strategies to implement at NMSU.

“Joining StopHazing and the Hazing Prevention Consortium is a proactive step toward fostering a safer and more inclusive campus environment,” said Renay Scott, NMSU vice president for Student Success. “It demonstrates our commitment to the well-being and respect of all students, promotes awareness and education about the dangers of hazing, and aligns our campus with national standards for hazing prevention. By participating, we empower our community to take a stand against hazing, ensuring that our campus is a place where every student can thrive without fear of harm or intimidation.”

“We are delighted to be working with New Mexico State University to support and amplify their commitment to hazing prevention. They are part of a select group of colleges and universities leading the nation in this life-saving work,” said Elizabeth Allan, professor of higher education at the University of Maine and principal at StopHazing.

This year’s summit attendees included representatives from the University of Missouri; Tarleton State University; University of California Santa Barbara; University of California San Diego; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Princeton University; Arizona State University; Harvard University; Indiana University; Rhodes College; University of Mississippi; Southern Methodist University; NMSU; University of San Diego; William & Mary; Cornell University; Brown University; and Maine.

For more information about NMSU’s work with the HPC, contact Goodman at dos@nmsu.edu.