Provost’s Office - UNM UCAM Newsroom

Campus invited to Faculty Lightning Lounge on Oct. 28

Kim Delker — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:01:00 GMT

This month’s Faculty Lightning Lounge will be held 3:30- 4:30 p.m. Oct. 28 in Centennial Engineering Center’s Stamm Commons.

Lightning Lounge gives faculty from a broad range of disciplines an opportunity to give short talks about their research, creative works, teaching or outreach. Time is available for questions during and after the event, and participants can meet new people, network and learn.

The event is open to faculty, staff, students and community members. No RSVP is required.

The October lineup is:

Jon Wheeler, associate professor in the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, whose talk is "Well-Being Before Competency: AI Literacy as Capability Expansion"
Sherri Burr, Regents professor emerita at the UNM School of Law, whose talk is" The Qualities of His Heart and the Shackles of the Law: Why George Washington Freed His Slaves and His Wife Martha Did Not"
Amanda Bienz, associate professor of computer science, whose talk is "Encouraging Scientific Integrity in the Age of AI"
David N. van der Goes, associate professor of economics, whose talk is "A Quick Introduction to the Merative MarketScan Research Databases.”

And save the date for the November Lightning Lounge, which will be Nov. 11 at the same time and place. Additional details will be forthcoming.

Lightning Lounge is hosted by ADVANCE at UNM, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice President for Research.

Those interested in presenting research, creative works, teaching or outreach or want to recommend someone, contact Christopher Lyons, assistant vice provost for faculty affairs, at clyons@unm.edu or advance@unm.edu.

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NSF CAREER grant cohort has created a community of support and success

Kim Delker — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:00:00 GMT

For professors at a research university, proposal writing is a vital part of a tenure-track position. It can be extremely rewarding — setting an academic career on a trajectory of success. Yet there is also the realization that many proposals — despite the hard work put into them — are not initially selected for funding.

To help support faculty in this process, The University of New Mexico has developed resources that address some of the important skills needed, from finding the right funding opportunity to creating a budget to developing and writing a compelling research proposal.

One successful effort that has been under way for the last couple of years at UNM is geared toward one particular award — the National Science Foundation CAREER Award — which is a highly regarded award focused on helping early career faculty members establish a successful research program.

The NSF CAREER cohort was established in 2025 by Eva Chi, associate dean for faculty affairs in the School of Engineering, Hannah Yohalem, assistant director of research strategy and programming for the UNM Faculty Research Development Office (FRDO), and Isela Balli, program operations director of the Research Support Office in the School of Engineering.

This year alone, there have been seven NSF CAREER Award recipients at UNM, six of whom were from the School of Engineering. In late July, Eric Lindsey, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, was notified that he too received an NSF CAREER Award. His project is titled “From Kinematics to Physics: A Global, Time-Dependent Investigation of Megathrust Frictional Locking.”

Although UNM has traditionally had NSF CAREER Award winners each year, the number this year was higher — and nearly all of the recipients this year participated in the cohort. The initial cohort had 23 participants, and in 2026, that number jumped to 32.

Eva Chi

The idea for the cohort stemmed from a couple of areas. One was wanting to create a more comprehensive preparation resource for the NSF CAREER, which is a highly sought award. Although there are other early career faculty awards, Chi said that the NSF CAREER is an award that crosses disciplines and “uniquely benefits early career faculty.”

“With the NSF CAREER, it’s not just about money,” she said. “It has a tremendous impact in starting a faculty member’s research program, in addition to having a very positive impact on tenure and promotion.”

Chi won an NSF CAREER Award in 2012 for “Interface-induced Misfolding and Aggregation of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins.” She still remembers how receiving that award gave her a sense of belonging in academia and her area of research at the beginning of her career.

“It felt like a validation of my research and all the things I was doing,” she said. “I credit it with really launching my career.”

Within the last couple of years, Chi and Yohalem say there have also been significant changes in the National Science Foundation in response to shifting federal research priorities. Awards like the NSF CAREER are still vital, but they said it was helpful to create the cohort for faculty to understand the current landscape and requirements as faculty prepare their proposals.

In the cohort, various topics are covered, including general proposal writing tips, how to write a one-pager of your proposal, how to integrate your education and research plan, working on your budget with your faculty research support officer (FRSO) or department administrator, how to incorporate reviewer feedback into the narrative, and how to obtain a department chair letter.

Chi, along with FRDO staff members, work with the cohort in reading and commenting on drafts at any part of the process. She also provides feedback on the integration of the research and development plans. Faculty Research Development Office staff help the cohort with structuring the proposal, aligning it with the solicitation, and providing editing for clarity and grammar.

Lindsey participated in the cohort last year and credits the guidance he received there with his successful award proposal.

“I know I wouldn’t have had the motivation to put it all together without the cohort, and the workshops were really helpful for me to understand how to get the right emphasis,” he said, noting that focus was especially useful for changes in the NSF CAREER proposal’s education and outreach section, which were implemented since 2025 in response to federal research priority shifts.

John King, assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, joined UNM in fall 2024 and received the CAREER Award in 2026 on his first attempt for “Understanding How Nucleic Acids and Amino Acids Interact.” He joined the NSF CAREER cohort group largely due to the influence of fellow colleagues (and some fellow 2026 recipients), looking to learn what he could, not just for NSF CAREER, but for proposal writing in general.

King was pleasantly surprised to have received the award on his first attempt, knowing that it can take two to three attempts for some to find success.

In addition to the cohort, King credits the resources of the both the Faculty Research Development Office as well as the faculty research support officers distributed across a central office within the UNM Research office and five UNM schools and colleges who work closely with researchers and collaborate with partners like the Office of Sponsored Projects.

Hannah Yohalem

Thanks to the combined forces of centralized research support and college-embedded research support, including departmental administrators who also support proposal submissions, this model allows research development expertise to be embedded close to faculty while remaining coordinated centrally, ensuring both consistency and flexibility in support, Yohalem said.

“The FRSO network was created to amplify the work that is being done in units and is an incredible asset to the UNM research community,” said Hannah Torres, Faculty Research Development Office director. “It's a highly collaborative group with a deep wealth of knowledge, and it’s a wonderful community to be part of at UNM.”

In the School of Engineering, part of that faculty research support network is Isela Balli, who manages a faculty research support officer. King said that her involvement and expertise was crucial to him having what he needed to create a successful proposal and provide guidance on subjects including budgeting, crafting of a research agenda, developing an effective educational plan, submission deadlines and more.

“Isela was my go-to for any questions that came up along the way,” King said.

Balli said that she has been pleased by the success rate of the cohort.

“I think we have made a good impact the last couple of years,” Balli said. “The participants from last year had a great success rate, so hoping we can do the same this year. I think it was a good experience for researchers to understand the process and expectations.”

In the summer of 2026, there were 18 NSF CAREER proposals submitted from UNM, broken down as follows:

Nine from School of Engineering
Six from the College of Arts and Sciences
One from the Ellis School of Business Leadership
One from the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences
One from a Category III research center (which focus on interdisciplinary research beyond the boundaries of a single discipline, department, or college).

Yohalem said the current iteration of the NSF CAREER cohort is not the first or only attempt at forming such a support group. From around 2017 to 2021, there was a CAREER writing group, a webinar series between 2022 and 2024.

But combining the focused effort of a research-intensive school with the expertise and resources of the Office of the Vice President for Research is what has made this effort particularly effective.

“Our collaboration created a sweet spot,” Chi said.

Although a lot of the participants and awardees have come from engineering or sciences, Yohalem and Chi remind faculty that NSF CAREER is open to a wide variety of disciplines, such as social sciences. Questions about proposal focuses can be directed to the FRSO in your school or college, or to frdo@unm.edu.

UNM is planning to conduct another cohort for next year. An announcement will be sent out late this year or in early 2027. For questions or additional information, contact frdo@unm.edu.

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Campuswide conversation on AI asks, ‘How are you going to shape the future?’

Kim Delker — Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:15:00 GMT

The University of New Mexico community came together recently to discuss a topic that has rapidly become omnipresent in today’s world — artificial intelligence.

The UNM AI Conversation Kickoff event on Sept. 3 brought together a wide mix of faculty, staff and students throughout the day to explore topics through presentations, group activities and panel discussions.

Among the topics discussed were teaching, learning and student success; research, scholarship and creative work; administration, operations and institutional knowledge; human judgment and consequential decisions; privacy, security and data stewardship; careers and the future of work; and access, equity and sustainability.

Mark Emmons, dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, chairs the steering committee on AI and kicked off the day by explaining the charge of the committee and some of the work that has been accomplished thus far.

“Our goal is to create a campuswide conversation about AI,” he said. “We want to listen before we act. This is not simply about adopting new tools or developing quick policies. It’s about how AI can support UNM’s mission and values, where AI use makes sense and where it does not, and what responsibilities come with our choices.”

More than 200 people attended the event, which included opening remarks from Barbara Rodriguez, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, who charged the AI steering committee in February.

She said many questions surrounding AI come down to trust — using the technology in a way that enhances our mission and processes, yet preserves our community.

“How do we preserve what is distinctly human? Judgment, curiosity, creativity, empathy, connection and care,” Rodriguez said. “These aren't questions we can answer once and consider the work finished. The technology will continue to change, and so will the questions before us.”

Melanie Moses, distinguished professor of computer science, gives her keynote address.

The keynote speaker was Melanie Moses, distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science. Her talk was titled “Can We Build Trustworthy AI at Scale?”

She began by addressing the subject of her presentation.

“Can we trust artificial intelligence at scale the way that we're going right now? No, we can't trust artificial intelligence at scale on the path we're currently on. And so the question I really want to say is, how can we create artificial intelligence that is trustworthy, sustainable, empowering for everyone? And I'm going to say that I don't have a full answer to this question.”

She described concerns about the speed at which technology is moving; the lack of guardrails, ethical frameworks and policies; the concerns about who is profiting from these technologies; as well as how AI could impact the environment if large data centers are powered by fossil fuels.

Moses said that while AI is rapidly evolving, humans still have time to shape a future that works for all. That could include solutions like powering data centers from renewable power sources like solar, in addition to slowing down the pace of progress so that humankind has an opportunity to ponder these issues before they get ahead of us.

“There are just an enormous number of imaginative ways that we can embrace this technology. It doesn't have to be everyone,” Moses said. “For some of us, maybe the right solution is to unplug and grow our own food. But I think the most important thing for everyone to think about is what is your priority? How are you going to shape the future?”

“Our goal is to create a campuswide conversation about AI. We want to listen before we act. This is not simply about adopting new tools or developing quick policies. It’s about how AI can support UNM’s mission and values, where AI use makes sense and where it does not, and what responsibilities come with our choices.”

— Mark Emmons, dean, CULLS, and AI steering committee chair

Stephanie Moore, a faculty member in Organization, Information and Learning Sciences (OILS), organized and moderated the student panel on AI, said that there are common misperceptions about students in regard to AI that she feels that it is important to clear up, including how accepting students are of the technology that has quickly entered into their lives.

The panel included both undergraduate and graduate students from a broad range of programs: the School of Law, the School of Engineering, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Ellis School of Business Leadership.

Students expressed the need for clear policies regarding AI use in classrooms, saying it can be inconsistent and confusing depending on the classes. Students cited both positive and negative ways to use AI in classwork.

Nathaniel Steen, a physics undergraduate, said that he has experienced some beneficial uses of AI in his schoolwork.

“I don't learn in one specific way,” he said. “It takes sometimes a lot of different perspectives for me to fully learn something, and AI can turn a two-day job into a 30-minute job … AI can walk me through it through multiple perspectives and give me that understanding that I need. So in a way, it can be like a private tutor and it can cater to different learning styles.”

There was also a discussion about how AI is impacting trust in the classroom — both among instructors and students.

Jocelyn Dailey, a Ph.D. student in electrical engineering, focused on the perception that some have of students due to AI’s availability and use.

“I remember feeling bothered and even continuing to this day to some extent to feel bothered by a sense that faculty think students need or want lower expectations, because in general we do not,” Dailey said. “In fact, many of us wish we would be asked for more ... Some of us don't want at all to be using these tools that we're being encouraged to use because we want the sense of satisfaction

that comes from doing something for ourselves. We are not uniformly here for a degree. We care about the things that lead up to it. We want to learn.”

The day concluded with a visioning session — led by Vanessa Svihla, a professor in OILS and a Presidential Teaching Fellow — that involved group work, with participants getting out a pen and paper to express visually how thee see the world changing from AI and exploring how decisions made today could shape or change that future.

An attendee provides feedback on the Statement of Values, Ethics and Principles draft in the reaction room.

Throughout the event, the community had an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed strategic ethical framework, encouraging attendees to provide ideas about how UNM can ensure that AI will advance UNM’s commitment to promoting discovery, inclusiveness and engagement with our communities. Feedback can also be submitted online. Recent updates on AI at UNM include the launch of a new website for AI efforts at UNM. Housed on the website are guidelines and policies (including the draft of the Statement of Values, Ethics and Principles), surveys and feedback forms, news and events, and information about the steering committee and its work. There are also videorecordings of some of the sessions during the kickoff, including Provost Rodriguez’s welcome; Melanie Moses’ keynote; and the student panel discussion.

This summer, Eva Lipton-Ormand joined as UNM’s inaugural AI project manager. Her role includes working with the steering committee as additional events and initiatives are planned and transitioning UNM’s AI efforts from a steering committee phase to helping ensure that policies and practices are integrated into UNM operations.

Also this summer, a survey was emailed to staff to get their feedback and thoughts on AI. On Sept. 1, surveys for faculty and students were distributed via email, and are open until Oct. 11. The survey feedback will be crucial in informing policies and decisions made on AI.

Emmons said that over the coming months, the process will include governance and broader strategic directions on AI.

“The kickoff was the beginning of the conversation, not the end of it,” he said. “We want to hear from people across UNM, learn from their hopes and worries, and use their input in the spring to develop practical governance and strategic direction that reflects who we are as a university.”

For more information, visit UNM AI Resources.

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Nominations open for 2027 Honorary Degree recipients

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 18:13:00 GMT

The University of New Mexico is now accepting nominations for 2027 Honorary Degree recipients.

The tradition recognizing Honorary Degree recipients at UNM began in 1924 when John J. Tigert, the U.S. Commissioner of Education, was awarded the LL.D. as the first UNM recipient of an Honorary Degree. In most years since, the Honorary Degree Committee has recognized at least one individual. Over the years, UNM has recognized more than 150 individuals with an Honorary Degree.

Honorary degrees are typically awarded to honor and recognize individuals’ contributions to a specific field or to society in general. Strong candidates are eminent individuals and scholars whose contributions are of general significance and transcend geographical limitations. Nominations of individuals who have contributed significantly to the cultural or scientific development of the Southwest or the spiritual or material welfare of its people are especially welcome.

Each year, the subcommittee of the Faculty Senate Graduate & Professional Committee solicits nominations for honorary degree recipients. The Office of the University Secretary is currently seeking nominations to be awarded as part of its Spring 2027 Commencement.

A successful nominee must have an exemplary record of academic or public accomplishment in keeping with the University’s standards of rigor, quality, and significance. The University awards honorary degrees at spring commencement.

Nominators should submit a letter stating in sufficient detail the reasons for the nomination. Please include biographical information, a record of accomplishment, and supporting letters. Because the Honorary Degree Committee must choose among illustrious nominees, provide as complete a nomination as possible.

The nominations should be sent to the Office of the University Secretary, Scholes Hall, Room 103 or univsec@unm.edu, no later than Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at 5 p.m.

If a nominee is proposed by a person, department, or college representing a discipline other than that of the nominee (e.g., Music nominates an engineer), the Committee will consult with the appropriate faculty before making a recommendation.

The Honorary Degree Policy and a listing of past honorary degree recipients are available on the University Secretary’s website.

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UNM's nursing program climbs nationally in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 22:24:00 GMT

The University of New Mexico College of Nursing (CON) moved up significantly in this year’s U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges national rankings. The latest rankings list the CON’s Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) program No. 56 in the country, a jump from No. 118 last year. The growth comes in the College of Nursing comes as New Mexico’s healthcare workforce looks to increase its numbers, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The ranking places UNM among the top 10% of BSN programs nationwide and keeps its standing as New Mexico’s top-ranked nursing program.

Other UNM programs on the 2027 Best Colleges list include:

Undergraduate Engineering Doctorate #102 (tied)
Undergraduate Computer Science #127 (tied)
Top Public Schools #128 (tied)
Undergraduate Business #129 (tied)
Undergraduate Psychology #163 (tied)
National Universities #236 (tied)
Social Mobility #248 (tied)

The rankings are based on in-depth analyses of a wide variety of data points, as explained in the Best Colleges methodology article.

“I am excited to have the hard work, carried out by our faculty and staff who provide excellent education and support to our BSN students, acknowledged on the national stage,” said Sasha Poole, assistant dean of undergraduate education in the UNM College of Nursing. “I also extend a heartfelt congratulations to the other undergraduate programs at UNM that are on the U.S. News & World Report 2027 Best Colleges list.”

According to Fall 2026 UNM College of Nursing enrollment data, more than 1,200 students are enrolled across the undergraduate and graduate pathways.

Enrollment data shows 713 students were admitted to the College of Nursing this year – up from 645 the year before, and nearly 50% more than three years ago, as demand for the program has grown.

“We all bring our own experiences and perspectives to nursing, and being able to learn, grow and go through this journey alongside one another has been such a meaningful part of my experience at UNM.”

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UNM’s enrollment increases for fifth consecutive year, fall 2026 data show

Kim Delker — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 22:29:00 GMT

For the fifth year in a row, enrollment has increased at The University of New Mexico, according to data released for the fall 2026 semester.

Total enrollment at the Albuquerque campus grew to 24,584 for fall 2026, an increase of 2.6% from last year’s total of 23,955. Enrollment across all UNM campuses for fall 2026 stands at 29,131, an increase of nearly 3% from last year’s 28,285.

UNM welcomed 3,792 first-year students at the Albuquerque campus for fall 2026, which is down slightly from 3,815 last year.

In the last five years, total enrollment in Albuquerque has grown 11.8% (21,982 to 24,584) and across all UNM campuses, it has grown 12.5% (25,890 to 29,131).

Thanks in part to a series of strategic initiatives that focus on student success, a point of pride the last several years has been the progress UNM has made in retaining its students and seeing them through to graduation.

For fall 2026, UNM’s third-semester retention rate is 79.0% (up from 76.4% last year), and the six-year graduation rate is 51.1% (down from 54.2% last year).

Third-semester retention is considered significant because studies have shown it is a leading indicator for improvement in graduation rates.

“At a time when the return on investment of a four-year degree is under scrutiny by some, The University of New Mexico continues to demonstrate its value by attracting more students, as well as supporting them to earn a college degree,” said Barbara Rodriguez, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “UNM offers its students something distinctive — an affordable, high-quality education with the power to transform lives, strengthen families and uplift communities. We are proud of the difference our students and graduates make across New Mexico and around the world.”

Among the first-year class, some population increases were seen. Asian American students rose from 3.9% of the cohort this year, up from 3.7% in 2025. American Indian students are 5.1% of the incoming cohort this year, rising from 4.0% last year. And while a large percentage of first-year students continue to identify as Hispanic — 52.5% this year — that percentage is slightly lower than 2025’s percentage of 54.5%.

Of this fall’s first-year students, 83.7% are from New Mexico and 16.3% are from out of state. Of those students who are nonresidents, 2.3% are international, which is down from fall 2025’s percentage of 5%.

Fall 2026 branch campus total enrollment stands at 4,547, which is 217 higher than fall 2025. UNM-Gallup, UNM-Taos and UNM-Valencia campuses all reported growth. Broken down by campus, fall 2026 enrollment at each campus is:

UNM-Gallup: 1,906
UNM-Los Alamos: 296
UNM-Taos: 903
UNM-Valencia: 1,442

For additional information on data, see the Office of Institutional Analytics. For information on enrolling at UNM, visit UNM Admissions. 

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Faculty Lightning Lounge set for Sept. 23

Kim Delker — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 20:21:00 GMT

The first Faculty Lightning Lounge of the 2026-27 academic year will be held Wednesday, Sept. from 3:30- 4:30 p.m. in Centennial Engineering Center’s Stamm Commons.

The event open to faculty, staff, students and community members. No RSVP is required.

This month’s presenters will be:

Fernando Moreu, a professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, who will present “Advancing Human-Machine Interfaces for Workforce Health and Prosperity”
Sara Curran Ice, an assistant professor of costume design, who will present “Exploring India’s Textiles”
Fred Gibbs, an associate professor of history, who will present “Expertise, Trust and Ai in Historical Perspective”
Diana Dragomir, an associate professor of physics and astronomy, who will present “Patient Planet Hunting: Finding the Worlds that Take Their Time.”

This month features two of the awardees of this year’s Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards, Moreu and Dragomir.

Lightning Lounge is hosted by ADVANCE at UNM, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of the Vice President for Research.

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Guiding the Pack: New Peer Navigator program helps Lobos thrive at UNM-Taos

R. Scott Gerdes — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 21:16:00 GMT

Taos, N.M. – How do I submit assignments in Canvas? Where can I get a laptop or hotspot? Is there transportation to campus? How do I find a tutor? How do I get my textbooks? What happens if my car breaks down and I need emergency money?

Those are some of the questions students often ask at UNM-Taos. This fall, a newly trained group of peer navigators will help provide answers.

Nine UNM-Taos work-study students recently completed the college's first Peer Navigator training program, a seven-week series designed to help students connect their fellow students with resources, services, and support systems that contribute to academic success. All 10 UNM-Taos work-study students were invited to join.

The inaugural class of peer navigators includes Italia Aguilar, Anthony Cortez-Arguello, Joshua Cardenas, Morgan Gentry, Darien Isaacs, Cassandra Maestas, Mercedez Maestas, Zaira Ruiz, and Julia Torres. The students were recognized for completing the program during La Resolana recently.

Student Resource Navigator Cami Hartman said the goal is to ensure work-study students are prepared to help fellow Lobos navigate college life and connect with available resources.

"It's a brand-new program from UNM-Taos using UNM-Taos HIVE, the DreamTree Project, UNM Main campus's Benefits & Employee Wellness, and in-house training on all of the supports we offer students here, peppered with a couple of outside resources that students need to know as well," Hartman said.

"The idea is that all work-study students are trained as peer navigators, so when they are asked a question, they can support fellow students."

– Student Resource Navigator Cami Hartman

Peer navigators occupy a unique role on campus because they share many of the same experiences as the students they serve. Whether helping someone understand college processes, locate resources, or find support during a difficult time, their firsthand perspective helps build trust and connection.

"The idea is that all work-study students are trained as peer navigators, so when they are asked a question, they can support fellow students," Hartman said. “They will be presenting to their classrooms on events and workshops, they will be presenting at New Student Orientation, and attending various functions, including tabling at area high schools.”

Cassandra Maestas, one of the newly trained peer navigators, said she became involved to help her classmates get familiar with campus, connect them with available support, and to “help them with anything they are having trouble with." Maestas added, "I believe doing this peer navigation has taught me more about the resources that are available to us students."

Because peer navigators are also students, they can often make it easier for others to ask for assistance. They help reduce the stigma surrounding requests for assistance, offer practical guidance, and connect students with resources ranging from tutoring and academic advising to transportation services, food assistance, mental health support, and emergency funding options.

Throughout the summer, participants completed 28 training modules covering communication, customer service, resource navigation, student services, and wellness. Training included customer service excellence workshops through UNM-Taos HIVE, sessions on financial aid, academic advising, CASA tutoring and accommodations services, transportation resources such as MyBlue and the Blue Bus, technology support, student resource navigation, suicide prevention, overdose prevention, and other programs designed to help students succeed.

The Peer Navigator program reflects UNM-Taos's commitment to student success by creating another pathway for students to access information, resources, and support. By helping fellow Lobos best traverse the challenges of college life, these student leaders are strengthening connections across campus and ensuring that no student has to figure it all out alone.

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UNM expands academic commitment to quantum information science, engineering and technology

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:45:00 GMT

As New Mexico makes significant investments to establish itself as a leader in quantum technology, The University of New Mexico is expanding its academic efforts to prepare students for the opportunities emerging alongside this growing industry and new era of discovery.

UNM will build on its existing programs in quantum information science and engineering (QISE), with a focus on strengthening academic pathways, aligning curriculum with emerging workforce needs, expanding faculty capacity, and connecting students with research and career opportunities.

Quantum researchers in the lab. UNM is strengthening academic pathways to help students with research and career opportunities.

“New Mexico is making a significant investment in its future, and UNM has an important responsibility in that work,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodríguez. “For us, this is about preparing our students for opportunities that are taking shape in our state and building on the tremendous expertise that already exists across our University.”

UNM already has a strong academic foundation in QISE. Undergraduate and graduate courses are offered across four departments; graduate students can pursue quantum concentrations within four degree programs; and UNM offers a graduate certificate in Quantum Science and Technology that is open to students from multiple graduate programs.

Building on this foundation, UNM will review existing curriculum, identify opportunities to integrate quantum concepts and skills across courses and programs, evaluate the need for new academic offerings, and strengthen pathways connecting students to coursework, research experiences and careers.

Faculty will be central to the effort. UNM already has significant expertise related to quantum science and technology across multiple disciplines, including 19 faculty fellows in the Quantum New Mexico Institute. The University will invest in additional faculty hiring to add teaching and research capacity, complement existing expertise, and support the continued development of quantum education and research at UNM.

Rodríguez emphasized that the opportunity extends well beyond traditional quantum disciplines.

“The strength of UNM is the breadth of our academic community,” Rodríguez said. “Quantum may begin with science and technology, but its impact reaches much further. There are important questions involving business, education, ethics, policy, communication, workforce development, health and society. A comprehensive research university like UNM brings those perspectives together.”

The expansion of UNM's academic offerings complements the University's growing quantum research and infrastructure and will help connect education, research, and workforce development as New Mexico's quantum ecosystem grows.

“Our goal is to build on what UNM already does well, create meaningful connections across disciplines and make sure our students are prepared for the opportunities ahead,” Rodríguez said.

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Search begins for next director of UNM’s employee assistance program

Kim Delker — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The University of New Mexico is launching a search for the next director of the employee assistance program known as Counseling, Assistance and Referral Services (CARS).

Aria Ponciroli

Aria Ponciroli, who was appointed director of CARS in 2022, is retiring at the end of the year. She has served in the fields of clinical social work, behavioral health and employee assistance program services for more than 30 years.

“We greatly appreciate Aria’s service to UNM and her partnership with Academic Affairs in supporting faculty and staff across the University,” said Barbara Rodriguez, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “CARS provides vital services to our campus community, and strong leadership is essential to that work. We look forward to our continuing close partnership with the CARS team and ensuring a smooth transition in leadership over the coming months.”

The new director is anticipated to begin in January 2027.

CARS provides on-site services that assist both faculty and staff in and resolving personal and professional concerns. Services include counseling for individuals and couples (where one person is a UNM employee); supervisory consultations with organization leadership; crisis interventions such as bereavement assistance for departments; seminars and workshops; and departmental in-service training.

The director of CARS, which reports to the Office of the Provost, supervises CARS clinical and administrative staff and collaborates with various mental health and substance abuse resources in the UNM community.

In addition, the director represents CARS on various committees across the UNM campus and collaborates with campus partners to promote employee welfare at home and at work.

A full job description is available at UNM Jobs. Best consideration date is Oct. 5. Applications and materials must be submitted through UNM Jobs to be considered. Questions can be sent to search coordinator Jennifer Love at jenlov22@unm.edu.

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UNM honors six with Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards

Kim Delker — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Six researchers from a wide range of disciplines at The University of New Mexico are the 2026 recipients of the Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards, announced by the Office of Academic Affairs.

This year’s recipients are innovators in their fields, which include medieval history, anthropology, smart infrastructure, exoplanets, vascular science and resuscitation.

The Research and Creative Works Leadership Awards honor recently promoted faculty who have accomplished outstanding research or creative works in their respective career stage.

The recipients, along with the 2026 distinguished professor honorees, will be recognized at a ceremony later this month at University House.

The 2026 Research and Creative Works Leadership Award recipients are:

Ross Clark

Ross Clark, M.D., associate professor, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine
Dr. Clark has developed a successful National Institutes of Health-funded research program focused on vascular science, particularly using hydrogen sulfide to improve diabetic limb salvage and wound healing, supported by multiple Small Business Innovation Research Program grants. His work includes industry collaborations and patent submissions with ongoing efforts to expand into mechanistic studies supported by a KL2 Career Development Award. He has also launched a new research direction investigating microplastics in vascular disease, generating widely recognized preliminary data and leading a large R01 proposal as well as participation in a multi-institutional P01 proposal. Dr. Clark’s work has national visibility and serves as departmental vice chair for research, where he oversees research infrastructure, organizes departmental initiatives and leads faculty development programs to grow the institution’s research capacity.

Sarah Davis-Secord

Sarah Davis-Secord, professor, Department of History, College of Arts and Sciences
Davis-Secord is a historian who specializes in intercultural and interreligious relations in the medieval Mediterranean. In recent years, she has built on her award-winning pre-tenure book with an extensive record of scholarship, including a well-received monograph on migration in the Middle Ages; a collaborative teaching volume on global medieval contexts; and edited books and articles in top-tier journals. Her work is often cited for its relevance for understanding intergroup relations today, as well as its theoretical and methodological rigor. Davis-Secord is regarded as an international leader in her field, and her work has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University.

Diana Dragomi

Diana Dragomir, associate professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences
Dragomir studies the origin and evolution of exoplanets, or planets around other stars, with a particular interest in exoplanets that orbit far from their stars. She studies the composition and orbital properties of these exoplanets as well as the architecture of planetary systems. In her words, “Ultimately, I seek to answer the question of whether our solar system is common or rare, bringing us a little closer to understanding our place in the universe.” She is considered an international leader in the fledging but burgeoning field of exoplanet exploration. She has over 93 publications, including articles in Nature and Nature Astronomy. Dragomir has also received substantial research funding and numerous awards, including a 2025 NSF CAREER Award, the NASA Silver Achievement Medal, and the UNM Office of the Vice President for Research Ovation Award for Research and Scholarship.

Fernando Moreu

Fernando Moreu, professor, Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering
Moreu’s scholarship focuses on smart infrastructure and uses sensors and wireless communications to assess the health of large structures. Since his promotion to associate professor in 2022, Moreu has published over 35 journal articles and has received four patents and three provisional patents. His work has received over $9 million in external funding is regarded by those in the field as being important to the future direction of engineering. Moreu has received numerous honors for his research leadership, including a Fulbright-Hays Award, an Eminent Engineer award from Tau Beta Pi, and a recent induction as a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Tatsuya Norii

Tatsuya Norii, M.D., FACEP, professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine
Dr. Norii is widely recognized as an international expert in resuscitation and airway management research. He has made key contributions to global resuscitation guidelines through the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation and the American Heart Association. Dr. Norii has contributed to major institutional initiatives such as the UNM Health Sciences Clinical and Translational Science Center and the SW CACTI grant. He has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, 35 systematic reviews and multiple book chapters, along with leadership of national registries in Japan. His work spans disciplines and has an influence on clinical practice and in acute-care research around the world.

Ian Wallace

Ian Wallace, associate professor, Department of Anthropology, College of Arts and Sciences
Wallace is an evolutionary anthropologist who studies human morphology and the body’s response to physical activity. His particular focus is at the intersection of anthropology and medicine — degenerative diseases that, in his words, “appear to stem from deleterious interactions between our evolutionary heritage and modern environments.” His recent fieldwork centers on a geographically isolated indigenous people from Malaysia whose lifestyles have changed due to social, economic and environmental forces. Wallace’s research seeks to understand how and why lifestyle changes are occurring among this population and their consequences for health and risk of disease. His work is highly interdisciplinary, frequently cited, well-funded and published in journals such as Science and PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America). Wallace’s scholarship is regarded as inspirational, impressive and in the words of one reviewer, “truly transformational.”

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UNM’s inaugural Undergraduate Student Success Roundtable set for Sept. 11

Kim Delker — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 19:55:00 GMT

Creating programs and structures that help students succeed is a priority for many faculty, staff and leaders across The University of New Mexico’s campuses. But because of the size of our institution, it can be a challenge to know all that is going on in the area of large-scale, student-focused success initiatives.

Providing a remedy to that is the idea behind the Undergraduate Student Success Roundtable, which will be held 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Centennial Science and Engineering Library Research Exchange on the main floor.

“This event is intended to strengthen, expand and align initiatives so that greater awareness and cross-pollination between various large-scale initiatives can take place,” said event organizer Tim Schroeder, director of the UNM Undergraduate Research, Arts and Design Network (URAD). “We hope this event gives participants an opportunity to build connections.”

Registration to the event is required, and the deadline is Sept. 3. Lunch will be provided.

This event is open to faculty and staff at all UNM campuses and is focused on initiatives designed to improve undergraduate student learning and retention across entire campuses, colleges, schools or the University as a whole.

During the event, participants will:

Learn about current institutional transformation initiatives
Provide advice and feedback to initiative leaders
Help align these initiatives with the efforts of participants and their departments
Help pool resources and approaches to improve the efficacy of these initiatives.

Check-in will begin at 11:30 a.m., with a working lunch beginning at noon. Welcome remarks will be provided by Pamela Cheek, vice provost for student success; Elisha Allen, director of Online Strategies and Academic Technologies; and Amy Jankowski, associate professor and director of learning, research and engagement in the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences.

Throughout the afternoon, there will be a series of breakout sessions on the following topics:

Student Hub Phase 2: Student Hub is an important advising tool and resource at UNM. This session will allow participants to learn about the next phase of Student Hub implementation, including expanded functionality and services. Presenters are Stephanie Hands, director of the Office of Advising Strategies; Jose Vilar, director of the College Enrichment Program; and Greg Golden, associate dean of student well-being.
OIA Retention Metrics Project: Using 25 years of UNM undergraduate student data, the Office of Institutional Analytics is examining the academic, financial, demographic and institutional factors associated with first-year student retention. Attendees will discuss the findings and provide feedback on how retention metrics and department-level practices can be used to strengthen student success efforts across UNM. Presenters are Ameer Slim and Yury Bosin, both OIA institutional researchers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Undergraduate Education at UNM: At this session, you will learn about University-wide initiatives focused on developing effective policies, practices and resources for the effective and ethical use of AI in undergraduate education. Presenter: Mark Emmons, dean of the UNM College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences and chair of the UNM AI Steering Committee.
Faculty Student Experience Project (FSEP): Explore the use of three innovative and effective instructional approaches:
Caleb Richardson's FSEP project explores general education courses in history by asking two questions: First, where do students in these courses come from? And second, where do they go afterward?
Together with Diana Torrez, Eli Wilson's FSEP project focused on building an online repository of resources available to all Introduction to sociology instructors.
Jillian Stafford’s FSEP project examined the impact of a post–Exam 1 study skills and exam preparation workshop in a large-enrollment chemistry course on student success, retention and persistence in chemistry and STEM fields.
UNM University-wide Badging Project: This initiative is focused on expanding badging access for all UNM campuses, divisions, colleges, schools and departments. Attendees will provide feedback regarding the new badging structure and implementation timeline. Presenter is Tim Schroeder, director URAD and co-chair of the UNM Badging Implementation Workgroup.
Elevate Gen Ed: Elevate Gen Ed is a faculty-developed, Academic Affairs-supported framework that connects general education and other undergraduate coursework with essential skills students can apply across academic, professional, and community contexts. This session will introduce Elevate Gen Ed's adaptable activities and digital badges and invite discussion about how the framework can be strengthened, aligned with existing efforts, and expanded across UNM. Presenter: Cait Lippitt, Elevate Gen Ed lead and Badge Implementation Workgroup Member

Questions about the event can be directed to Tim Schroeder, timschroeder@unm.edu.

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AI progress, possibilities the focus of Sept. 3 campuswide kickoff event

Kim Delker — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence tools and technology is reshaping all aspects of life, including in higher education, impacting teaching, learning, research and administrative operations.

To provide an opportunity for The University of New Mexico community to shape how AI will impact the campus, the UNM AI Steering Committee is holding the UNM AI Conversation Kickoff on Sept. 3. Students, staff and faculty are invited to the event that will feature discussions and informational sessions on the current and future use of AI and related tools at AI at UNM.

A variety of sessions and panels will be held beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Ballrooms.

Registration for the event is now open. For the latest information on the event sessions, go to ai.unm.edu, which will be updated throughout the coming weeks and semester.

“AI is impacting everyone in some way, and the technology is moving fast,” said Mark Emmons, chair of the AI Steering Committee and dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences. “Through this launch event, we are eager to bring the campus together to share the progress that UNM has made regarding AI policy and tools. We will also explore some of the important work that is taking place on developing standards, policy and guiding ethical principles around UNM’s use of AI. These issues are much bigger than one committee, so we are looking forward to engaged and active participation from all members of the University.”

Emmons said this event is the kickoff of a yearlong, inclusive process.

“Fall will focus on campus conversations about teaching and learning, research and scholarship and creative works, and administration and operations; and spring will turn what we decide together into governance and strategic directions for AI,” he said.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez, who formed the AI Steering Committee earlier this year, will make introductory remarks.

The keynote speaker will be Melanie Moses, distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and a well-known researcher on various aspects of AI. Moses will present “Can We Build Trustworthy AI at Scale?” Her talk will explore AI scaling trends and contrast domains where AI has made enormous advances with domains where large-language models’ (LLMs) inaccuracies, biases, misaligned incentives and disregard for truth pose significant risks. The presentation will highlight how New Mexico can sustainably power AI and democratize whose interests AI serves and what problems AI solves. There will also be a discussion of whether it is possible to build AI that is both trusted and trustworthy.

Throughout the event, the community will have an opportunity to provide feedback that will guide the University’s institutional values, ethics and principles on AI. A section of the Ballrooms will showcase the committee’s proposed strategic ethical framework, encouraging attendees to provide feedback and ideas about how UNM can ensure that AI will advance UNM’s commitment to promoting discovery, inclusiveness and engagement with our communities.

Following the keynote address, lunch will be provided and table topic sessions will begin around noon. Participants can join one of several tables to discuss key AI topics that will include AI in the classroom, responsible AI use in research, sustainability, privacy and security, and how AI can be used to improve administrative workflow.

A student panel will begin at 1:15 p.m. This panel of graduate and undergraduate students will discuss their own challenges and opportunities of AI in the classroom, as well as the positive and negative impacts it could have in the future.

What does AI have in store for UNM and the world at large? Participants will have a chance to explore that question in an interactive AI futures exercise at 2:15 p.m.

The event will close with a networking reception at 3 p.m., allowing attendees to discuss and connect with others on topics presented throughout the day.

In addition to this event, feedback on AI use and tools is also being sought through a series of surveys. A survey was emailed to staff members this summer. On Sept. 1, surveys for faculty and students will be distributed via email. The feedback will be crucial in informing policies and decisions made on AI.

The AI Steering Committee was charged by the provost earlier this year to provide leadership on issues surrounding AI across academic and administrative units such as university policy, AI use in the classroom, and effective and ethical AI integration in various types of work and research.

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Holtzclaw will end term as chancellor at UNM-Los Alamos in 2027

Kim Delker — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:12:00 GMT

Mike Holtzclaw, chancellor of The University of New Mexico campus in Los Alamos, will not seek reappointment, concluding service in the top leadership role on June 30, 2027.

Barbara Rodriguez, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said that Holtzclaw will work closely with University leadership to support the campus during this transition period.

“I want to thank Chancellor Holtzclaw for his leadership and dedicated service to UNM-Los Alamos,” Rodriguez said. “During his tenure, the campus has made significant progress in strengthening its infrastructure, financial foundation and commitment to student success.”

UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw

Holtzclaw began as chancellor of the campus in July 2022. Before joining UNM, he brought nearly three decades of experience in higher education to the role, serving community colleges in California and Oregon.

Under his leadership, UNM-Los Alamos secured strong public and private investments that will benefit the campus for years to come. These accomplishments include the successful passage of a local mill levy supporting campus capital improvements, expanded partnerships with Los Alamos County and substantial legislative investments in campus facilities. The campus completed or initiated numerous modernization projects, enhancing classrooms, student services, instructional laboratories, accessibility and campus infrastructure.

Holtzclaw also prioritized investment in faculty and staff by advancing market-based compensation improvements, strengthening the campus’s marketing and human resources functions, and implementing sustainable budget strategies to support professional development and technology renewal.

“Most importantly, he championed initiatives designed to improve student success and completion,” Rodriguez said. “Under his leadership, UNM-Los Alamos implemented innovative student support technologies, joined the nationally recognized Complete College America network, and strengthened shared governance through the establishment of the College Council, ensuring broad participation in institutional decision-making.”

“We are grateful for Chancellor Holtzclaw’s leadership and wish him every success in the future,” Rodriguez said. “We remain committed to ensuring a thoughtful transition that maintains the campus’s momentum and continued service to the students and communities of northern New Mexico.”

Additional information regarding the leadership transition and the process for identifying the next chancellor of UNM-Los Alamos will be shared with the campus community in the coming months.

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Sánchez selected as senior vice provost

Kim Delker — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 16:30:00 GMT

Rebecca Sánchez, a longtime faculty member and academic leader at The University of New Mexico (UNM) who has served for the past year as interim associate vice provost for academic personnel, has been selected as UNM’s senior vice provost.

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez announced the selection after a competitive internal search. Sánchez’s appointment is effective Sept. 1.

Rebecca Sánchez named senior vice provost.

“Dr. Sánchez brings significant experience, sound judgment and a deep understanding of UNM to this role, along with a clear vision for supporting our faculty and advancing the University’s academic mission,” Rodriguez said. “Over the past year, I have seen firsthand the thoughtful and principled way she approaches complex issues, always with care for the people involved and the institution we serve. I look forward to working with Dr. Sánchez and our Academic Affairs leadership team as we strengthen the environment in which our faculty can succeed and advance strategic priorities across the University.”

Rodriguez previously served as senior vice provost from 2018 until July 2025, when she was named interim provost. She was selected as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs in June 2026.

Sánchez began as interim associate vice provost for academic personnel in July 2025. She previously served as associate dean for equity, inclusion and faculty affairs in UNM’s College of Education and Human Sciences.

As senior vice provost, Sánchez will be a key member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, working closely with the provost and academic leaders across the University on matters central to faculty success and the academic mission. She will provide strategic leadership for academic personnel and faculty affairs, support the effective and consistent implementation of academic policies and processes, and help advance institutional priorities across UNM’s schools, college and branch campuses.

Sánchez is a professor of elementary education at UNM who joined the UNM faculty in 2005. She served as coordinator of the UNM elementary education program from 2017 to 2018 and has held a variety of faculty leadership roles during her more than two decades at the University.

Her scholarship spans curriculum for K-8 students, bilingual and multicultural education, and place-based learning. She has published numerous scholarly articles and book chapters and has developed an extensive body of creative work, including visual arts exhibitions and playwriting. In 2016, Sánchez received the Paula Vogel Award in Playwriting from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Her creative scholarship includes This Scarlet F: A Research Performance of School Grading Measures, a work that brings together her expertise in education, research and dramatic writing.

Sánchez earned a bachelor’s degree in government, and master’s and doctoral degrees in education from New Mexico State University. She also earned a master of fine arts degree in dramatic writing from UNM in 2016.

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Get Set Reset on Aug. 12 helps instructors at all levels be semester-ready

Kim Delker — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:48:00 GMT

With UNM courses beginning this month, classroom preparation is top of mind for instructors across all of our campuses. And the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is here to help with its Get Set Reset virtual event coming up next week.

Get Set Reset will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom, with sessions designed to appeal to instructors in all disciplines, all levels and all UNM campuses.

“Everyone can find something to suit their interests and needs,” said Magdalena Vázquez Dathe, training and development consultant with CTL.

At the opening session, CTL Executive Director Erin Shortlidge will provide a welcome and an overview for the day.

Starting off the sessions, the keynote speaker will be Jamal Martin, professor of practice, Applied Africana Studies, and Global Health. His talk is titled “Welcoming Critical Dialogue into the Classroom: Teaching Practices for Sustaining Interconnectedness and Intellectual Growth.” This session will address teaching approaches essential to fostering dialogue, cultivating relationships, nurturing well-being, and sustaining learning across differences.

Throughout the day, participants are encouraged to join sessions that align with their current interests as they plan for the semester. At 10 a.m., one of the presentations will be “Enhancing the General Education Experience,” which will explore the faculty-developed, Academic Affairs-supported framework of Elevate Gen Ed, which helps instructors connect general education course content with essential skills students can use across academic, professional and community contexts.

There is also an emphasis on supporting graduate student teaching assistants, as highlighted in the session titled “From Graduate Student to Educator: Embracing Responsibilities, Building Connection, and Creating a Supportive Community in the Classroom.”

“Our graduate students have journeyed with us through the years, and this panel of graduate teaching assistants — from various disciplines around UNM — will share their experiences of learning and developing into educators,” said Jennifer Pollard, training and development consultant at CTL.

Other topics that will be covered this year include accommodations in the classroom, culturally responsive approaches to literacy across disciplines, how to provide meaningful feedback, working in teams, getting started with digital accessibility, addressing critical conversations in the classroom, and creating inclusive and accessible learning spaces for all.

In addition to valuable information, organizers emphasize that the event also fosters connections that can help instructors feel supported.

“Many of our participants say that they meet and meaningfully connect with colleagues from different disciplines through attending the sessions,” Pollard said. “They are creating connections, learning from each other, and realizing that they are not alone."

Although the event is organized by the Center for Teaching and Learning, organizers emphasize that they intentionally collaborate with faculty, instructors and graduate students across the institution to deepen the impact of this event.

No preregistration is required, and each session has a separate Zoom link. Live captioning will be provided on all concurrent sessions.

For additional information, including detailed session descriptions, lists of presenters and Zoom links, visit the Get Set Reset program page, which also includes an optional note-taking guide to help capture memorable insights from each session.

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Six UNM faculty promoted to distinguished professors

Kim Delker — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Each year, The University of New Mexico selects a handful of professors to be honored with the highest faculty title the University bestows — distinguished professor.

Announced jointly by the UNM Office of Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Health Sciences Center Office of Faculty Academic Affairs, the title of distinguished professor is reserved for academics who “have demonstrated outstanding achievements and are nationally and internationally renowned as scholars,” according to the UNM Faculty Handbook.

This year, six academics from across disciplines — ranging from DNA repair to economics — have been chosen for this honor.

The 2026 distinguished professors are Robert Berrens, Melanie Moses, Michelle Ozbun, Tassy Parker, Alan Tomkinson and Mark Unruh.

Information about each honoree’s scholarship and accomplishments is listed below:

Robert Berrens

Robert Berrens, a professor of economics in the College of Arts and Sciences, specializes in environmental and resource economics, which includes the areas of water resources, wildfire, public lands management, valuation of environmental goods and amenities, and endangered species. A significant amount of his research is in the field of non-market valuation, and he was an early pioneer in applying non-market valuation techniques to estimate the values of environmental goods and services. His work in this area — at the beginning of the internet age when non-market valuation surveys were being moved online — set the foundation for how economists viewed the credibility and reliability of online economic valuation surveys. In a series of papers on this topic, published in leading economics and political science journals, including in the highly regarded American Economic Review, Berrens showed under what conditions non-market valuation surveys could be used to obtain credible results and how researchers could minimize hypothetical bias in such surveys. To this day, economists cite the works of Berrens as being foundational for conducting non-market valuation research.

Melanie Moses

Melanie Moses, a professor in the Department of Computer Science in the School of Engineering, established an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary program that has pioneered research in biologically inspired computation, swarm robotics, computational immunology and trustworthy AI. This research has advanced understanding of how decentralized systems in computation and biology adapt to the environment and scale to large sizes. Moses’s research has shaped both theoretical foundations and practical applications of distributed computational and biological systems. As principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on over $20 million in research funding from National Science Foundation, NASA, DARPA, Department of Energy, National Institutes of Health, and industry partners, she has built sustained research capacity for UNM and the state of New Mexico. In addition, Moses has been a leader in the development of inclusive education programs, including NASA Swarmathon, which has engaged more than 1,500 students from minority-serving institutions in a national robotics competition; and New Mexico CS for All, which has trained dozens of teachers who have taught thousands of high school students, most from underrepresented groups, through a dual-credit computer science course that was the first computer science course to count toward New Mexico’s natural science course requirement.

Michelle Ozbun

Michelle Ozbun, the Maralyn S. Budke Endowed Professor of Viral Oncology and professor of molecular genetics and microbiology in the School of Medicine, is an expert and leader in the fundamental research on oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which contribute to nearly 5% of global cancers. Ozbun is internationally recognized as a molecular virologist and cancer biologist with a translational program that spans from basic science research to efforts aimed at HPV infection prevention and improving clinical outcomes. She has had NIH-funded research since 2000 and also has received substantial funding from industry and foundations. Her current studies involve early HPV infection events and the regulation of HPV gene expression. Ozbun utilizes monolayer cell culture, organotypic three-dimensional epithelial (“raft”) tissue cultures, as well as animal models, for the study of anogenital and oral infections and their neoplastic conversion.

Tassy Parker

Tassy Parker, a professor in Family and Community Medicine and the colleges of Nursing and Population Health, has made transformative contributions to Indigenous health, equity and education at local, national and international levels. A proud Seneca Nation citizen born and raised on the Cattaraugus Territory of New York, Parker has spent more than two decades transforming the landscape of Indigenous health by building bridges among science, culture, education, policy and community leadership. A medical sociologist, registered nurse, executive director of the UNM Center for Native American Health, and associate vice president for American Indian Health Research and Education, her work spans mental health, substance use recovery, chronic disease prevention, trauma, obesity, and Indigenous research governance, always grounded in the belief that Native communities hold the knowledge, strength and authority to shape their own health futures. Through more than $10.7 million in external funding, dozens of peer-reviewed publications, and leadership roles across Tribal, urban Indian, national, and global Indigenous health networks, she has helped build the infrastructure for a new generation of Indigenous scholars, health professionals, leaders and traditional knowledge keepers.

Alan Tomkinson

Alan Tomkinson, a professor in cellular and molecular biology in the Department of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine, has led groundbreaking research in DNA repair and genome stability, significantly advancing cancer biology and treatment. For more than 30 years, he has maintained continuous funding through the National Institutes of Health on DNA ligases I, III, and IV. His translational research has resulted in the development of DNA ligase inhibitors with therapeutic potential and the discovery of new cancer biomarkers. In addition to his extensive contributions in scholarship, he has played a key role in institutional leadership, directing graduate programs, mentoring students and guiding the UNM Cancer Center to achieve National Cancer Institute (NCI) Comprehensive status and renewal. Tomkinson’s management of the pilot grant program has generated over $20 million in NIH funding.

Mark Unruh

Mark Unruh, a professor and chair of the Department of Internal Medicine, specializes in nephrology and has conducted groundbreaking research that has advanced both science and patient care. Over the past two decades, he has built an extensive publication record on kidney disease. Unruh’s research is especially known for pioneering the study of patient centered outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) – including the measurement of health-related quality-of-life in dialysis patients and the management of symptoms like sleep disorders and fatigue in end-stage renal disease. These contributions have been published in top-tier journals such as the Journal and of the American Medical Association, Internal Medicine, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, and has influenced clinical practice guidelines and national research priorities. Unruh has been the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on more than $100 million in NIH, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), Veterans Affairs, and foundation-funded studies, including leadership roles in landmark trials such as HEMO, Frequent Hemodialysis Network Trial, and PCORI-funded interventions to improve depression treatment in dialysis patients. He also played a central role in founding the Kidney Institute of New Mexico, securing a $6 million philanthropic gift.

Additional information about the distinguished professor process, criteria and a list of past recipients can be found on the Office of the Provost website.

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UNM introduces NM SPARK program with inaugural cohort of scholars

ADVANCE at UNM — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

Eleven University of New Mexico faculty members have been selected as part of the inaugural cohort of the New Mexico Scholars Pursuing Advancement, Research, and Knowledge (SPARK) program, a grant initiative supporting assistant and associate professors who are advancing their research, scholarship, and creative work in alignment with the university’s 2040 strategic priorities

SPARK is the newest element of UNM’s WeR1 faculty success program and is a collaboration between ADVANCE at UNM, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Recipients’ work explores a broad range of topics including autonomous system decision making, lithium extraction from New Mexico brines, and rural teacher development. Other projects include studying the integration of AI into undergraduate computer science education, using photobiomodulation with resistance training to help type 2 diabetics, and work to better predict cracks in concrete infrastructure.

UNM’s SPARK program includes awards in two tracks, catalysts and innovators.

SPARK Catalyst grants provide up to $10,000 in one year seed funding for early-career faculty to stimulate new research directions, launch new collaborations, or respond to shifting funding opportunities.

The SPARK Innovators grants comprise three-year awards of $5,000 per year plus an honorary title for midcareer associate professors pursuing significant research expansion or redirection with broad institutional or community impact.

“The SPARK Scholars Program is an investment in both faculty excellence and the future of our university,” said Barbara Rodriguez, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“Programs like SPARK provide the mentorship, support, and community that enable faculty to thrive as scholars and educators. By helping faculty reach their full potential, we strengthen our research enterprise, enrich student learning, and advance UNM’s mission of serving New Mexico. I am proud of the inaugural SPARK Scholars awardees for their commitment to discovery, innovation, and academic excellence, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition,” she said.

Program reviewers looked for proposals with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, career advancement, and that can be positioned for future external funding or high‑impact outcomes. This year’s funding is nearly $124,000.

“SPARK and UNM’s WeR1 program demonstrate how coordinating efforts across multiple units can lead to enormous success,” UNM Vice President for Research Ellen Fisher said. “As New Mexico’s flagship university and an R1 institution, UNM is committed to supporting innovative scholarship and discovery. SPARK seeks to continue that effort, including mentoring of early and mid-career faculty.”

Others on the selection committee, including former ADVANCE at UNM director Julia Fulghum said they were impressed by the variety of the applications.

"I'm delighted that one of my last activities as ADVANCE director was collaborating on the first NM SPARK awards. It is always heartening to learn about the ideas of colleagues from around campus, and I look forward to following their accomplishments," she said.

Recipients of the Catalyst grants are:

Jessica Carey-Webb of Spanish and Portuguese for her project Postcards from Nowhere: Alternative Political Ecologies and Amazonian Utopian Experiments.
Flavio de Castro Magalhães of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences for his project When Light Meets Load: A Novel Strategy to Improve Metabolic Health in Older Adults with Type 2 Diabetes using Resistance Training and Photobiomodulation – A Pilot Study.
Ursula Moffitt of Individual, Family and Community Education for her project From Insight to Action: Health Equity Research that Meets this Moment.
Madura Pathirage of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering for this project Fracture-Based Prediction Of Crack Spacing In Concrete Infrastructure.
Jennifer Stacy of Individual, Family and Community Education for her project Teacher Educators, Literacy Legislation, and Multilingual Students: A National Study.
Christoph Wagner of Music for his project Bridges in Sound: Intercultural Creative Research and Album Production Across Asian Musical Traditions.
Wenbin Wan of Mechanical Engineering for his project Quantum-Ready Safe Decision-Making for Autonomous Systems.
Fan Xu of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership and Policy for her project PROOF-AI: A Process-Oriented Reasoning Framework for AI-Integrated Undergraduate Computer Science Education.

Recipients of the Innovators grants are:

Michael Domínguez of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies for his project Empowering Rural Teacher Development in Pursuit of Equity: A Change Laboratory Approach to Responding to Yazzie/Martinez Policy Mandates.
Marygold Walsh Dilley of Geography and Environmental Studies for her project Oral Histories of Farming Along the Middle Rio Grande.
Shuya Wei of Chemical and Biological Engineering for her project Electrochemical Direct Lithium Extraction from New Mexico Brines.

The selection process was extremely competitive; ultimately funding was not available for some outstanding proposals.

ADVANCE, Academic Affairs, and OVPR are already planning for another round of funding next year to continue the program.

“ADVANCE values our many collaborations with Academic Affairs and OVPR. I look forward to continuing these kinds of collaborative funding efforts moving forward. I recognize what a valuable form of faculty support they offer and how important they have been in both launching and furthering the research and funding trajectories of many of our faculty,” said ADVANCE director Lisa Broidy.

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UNM provost reappoints Camille Carey as dean of School of Law

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 22:30:00 GMT

University of New Mexico Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez announced today the reappointment of Camille Carey as dean of the UNM School of Law. The decision was made following careful consideration and in accordance with the University's established policies and procedures. Carey, who has a year remaining on her current contract, was reappointed to a three-year term effective July 1, 2027.

"The School of Law plays a vital role in preparing lawyers who serve communities throughout New Mexico,” said Rodriguez. “As Provost, I remain committed to working with Dean Carey and the entire School of Law community to strengthen the School, support its mission, and ensure it continues to serve the people of New Mexico with distinction. I am committed to supporting Dean Carey in advancing the School’s priorities while working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and our legal community partners to build on the School's strengths."

"I am honored by the opportunity to continue serving the UNM School of Law," Carey said. “Our law school has a proud tradition of preparing lawyers who make a difference in communities across New Mexico, and I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and legal community partners as we build on that tradition.”

Carey leads a team of more than 30 faculty and approximately 300 students. Since becoming dean in 2022, Carey has overseen progress in fundraising, accreditation, budget management, faculty and student support, alumni engagement and strategic planning. During her tenure, the School has raised nearly $22 million, including two consecutive record fundraising years, expanded scholarship opportunities, strengthened leadership and student support structures, and increased professional development resources for faculty and staff.

Before being named dean in 2022, Carey was the vice dean and the associate dean for Academic Affairs at the UNM School of Law. She joined UNM as a faculty member in 2009. Over the years, Carey has taught Clinic, Torts, Advanced Torts, Civil Procedure, Immigrants’ Rights and Domestic Violence Law.

Before joining UNM, Carey served as a Robert M. Cover Teaching Fellow and Clinical Lecturer at Yale Law School and previously worked as an attorney with The Legal Aid Society of New York. Prior to teaching law, Carey was an Equal Justice Works Fellow and Mayer Brown Fellow. Carey earned her Juris Doctor from the UCLA School of Law in the Public Interest Law and Policy program in 2001 and a BA in political science from Vassar College in 1995.

The UNM School of Law is New Mexico's only law school, offering the Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Studies in Law (MSL), and specialized certificate programs. It is a member of the Association of American Law Schools and is fully accredited by the American Bar Association.

The UNM School of Law remains committed to educating lawyers who serve New Mexico through excellence in teaching, public service and scholarship. As the state's only law school, it continues to prepare graduates who meet the legal needs of communities across New Mexico.

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Barbara Rodriguez named UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Ben Cloutier — Thu, 28 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

University of New Mexico President Garnett S. Stokes has formally appointed Dr. Barbara Rodriguez as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective June 1, upon the recommendation of incoming President Steve Goldstein.

"When Steve Goldstein told me that Barbara Rodriguez was his choice, I didn't hesitate," said President Stokes. "I ran this search with one goal: to give our incoming president a provost he could hit the ground running with. He made the call, and it was the right one. Barbara is a distinguished scholar and a trusted leader who has given everything to this university in support of our state and its people. It is my honor to make this appointment official."

Barbara Rodriguez named provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.

Incoming President Steve Goldstein, who interviewed all the finalists, shared his thoughts on the decision. "President Stokes gave me something invaluable — a search conducted with rigor and care, and the trust to make the final call," said Goldstein. "Barbara Rodriguez stood out for her deep institutional knowledge, her commitment to academic excellence, and her clear vision for where UNM needs to go. I look forward to hitting the ground running alongside Barbara as a true partner in advancing this university."

Rodriguez was selected following a national search conducted in partnership with Isaacson Miller. The search attracted a highly qualified pool of candidates from across the country, and finalists participated in open forums that gave faculty, staff, students, and community members the opportunity to engage directly and provide feedback. Incoming-President Goldstein participated in finalist interviews, ensuring continuity of leadership and full alignment between the outgoing and incoming administrations. The search was chaired by Katie Witkiewitz, a distinguished professor of Psychology and the director of the Center on Alcoholism, Substance use, and Addictions.

Rodriguez has served as interim provost since July 2025. Prior to that, she served as senior vice provost for academic affairs beginning in 2018, overseeing faculty personnel matters including tenure and promotion, faculty labor relations, and academic policies and procedures.

A native of Española, New Mexico, Rodriguez's connection to this state runs deep — and has shaped her career from the beginning. Before joining the UNM faculty, she worked as a bilingual clinician throughout New Mexico, including in K-12 public education settings, and directed the UNM Speech Language and Hearing Clinic from 1992 to 1994. Her scholarly work has focused on cultural competence and humility, bilingual language acquisition, and bilingual language assessment — research with direct implications for the diverse communities UNM serves. She also co-developed a joint UNM–NMSU graduate training program in bilingual speech-language pathology.

A professor of speech and hearing sciences at UNM, Rodriguez chaired the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences from 2012 to 2018 and has been a member of the UNM faculty since 1999. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communicative Disorders and Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from The University of New Mexico, and her Ph.D. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington — returning to her alma mater as a tenure-track faculty member after completing her doctorate.

"It is an honor to serve the university in this capacity," said Rodriguez. "UNM has been my professional home for more than 25 years, and I have seen firsthand the difference this institution makes in the lives of students and communities across New Mexico. I am committed to working alongside Dr. Goldstein and the entire Lobo community to build on our momentum and ensure UNM continues to deliver on its promise to the people of this state."

As provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, Rodriguez serves as UNM's chief academic officer, with responsibility for academic programs, faculty affairs, research, and student success.

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