Hobbs, NM — Dec. 1, 2025 — New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is excited to announce that Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Outreach & Engagement, has been selected as a featured speaker at the 2025 AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education; which took place on November 9 - 12, 2025, in National Harbor, Maryland.

For more than 30 years, the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education has served as one of the most influential gatherings for higher education marketers, offering a peer-reviewed program designed to refine strategy, strengthen institutional reputation, and support long-term financial health. With the theme “Building a Brighter Future for Higher Ed Together,” the 2025 Symposium provides a national platform where collaboration fuels innovation and ideas become action.

Onsurez Gauna will join two distinguished leaders — Kin Sejpal, Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications and Chief Marketing Officer at the University of Redlands, and Angelique Daniels, Director of Marketing and Communications at Ideastream Public Media — for a fireside chat titled “The Promise and Practice of Leading Diverse Teams.” This leadership-focused session explored the realities and opportunities of guiding teams that reflect diverse identities, perspectives, experiences, and work styles. Through candid conversation, the speakers shared strategies for collaboration, trust-building, and empowering high-performing teams in an increasingly complex higher education landscape.

NMJC expressed pride in Onsurez Gauna’s national recognition. “NMJC is incredibly proud to see Valerie Onsurez Gauna invited to speak at the National American Marketing Association Symposium on Marketing of Higher Education. It is an extraordinary honor for our college to have one of our own share her expertise at the national level," said Rachel Gallagher, Vice President for Advancement. "Valerie’s educational background and professional experience are tremendous assets to NMJC, and we are deeply grateful to the AMA for providing her the opportunity to guide and inspire higher-education marketing professionals across the country to perform at the highest level.”

Onsurez Gauna shared her gratitude and excitement for the opportunity: "I cannot express the gratitude I have for the opportunity to have been invited to speak at the 2025 American Marketing Association National Symposium for Higher Education. I am truly honored and humbled by the experience and privilege to be around such amazing leaders and people. Teresa Valerio Parrot was so instrumental in making all this happen, I am so grateful for her mentorship. To be part of the 2% of speakers selected, it is outside of my mind to have been considered. I thank my family and friends, my team, all who are close, and most importantly God for seeing this through for me, just when I needed to be pushed and stretched. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" said, Onsurez Gauna.

Onsurez Gauna’s participation underscores NMJC’s growing presence in national conversations around marketing, leadership, and innovation in higher education. Her perspective and experience will contribute meaningfully to the Symposium’s mission of strengthening institutions and shaping the future of the field.

 

About the AMA Symposium for the Marketing of Higher Education
The AMA Symposium is the premier event for higher education marketers, offering research-backed sessions, collaborative learning environments, and forward-thinking strategies that help institutions thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

 

New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) is a leading educational institution committed to providing success through learning and high-quality education to its diverse student body. Founded in 1965, NMJC offers a wide range of academic programs, certifications, and services to empower students to achieve their educational and career goals.

Contact: Valerie Onsurez Gauna, Director of Engagement & Outreach, New Mexico Junior College, 575-492-2780, vgauna@nmjc.edu or Deira Fernandez, Recruiter, dfernandez@nmjc.edu