Health Sciences Center Registrar and Student Services Officer, The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Office Representing: Registrar
With 16 years of experience working in the registrar/student services environment, Todd Hynson, who initially began in front-line customer service, now serves as the registrar for the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. In his role, Hynson provides enrollment management services to the all academic units of the Health Sciences Center.
How did you first get interested in or involved in higher education issues?
"Working directly with students has made me aware of their struggles," Hynson said. "I keep current with the issues of students as I continue my own education. As a nontraditional student, my perspective on student life is different from many administrators. Students have real-time issues that are impacted at the policy level. I am able to connect with peer students and listen to their experiences and relate those to my own. This connection enhances my overall knowledge of higher education issues. Working in the student services environment, I am better able to translate policy to real people. … Recognizing there are often no easy solutions to complex issues has made me more aware of how policy at the highest level affects the students and the work I do on a daily basis."
Why did you apply to be a part of the Higher Education Committee of 50? What drew you to this opportunity?
"In a nutshell, I am passionate about and interested in student success," Hynson said. "The [Higher Education Committee of 50] provides me another way to be part of student success. Most people at my level do not have opportunities like this. I see this as a great opportunity to give a voice to the ideas and experiences that people working directly with students have."