After an extensive nationwide search, The University of New Mexico (UNM) has appointed Shawna Wolfe as the vice president for Institutional Support Services (ISS), effective Dec. 1.

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Shawna Wolfe named vice president of UNM's Institutional Support Services.

Wolfe brings a wealth of experience, particularly within the realm of higher education and institutional support services with a distinguished career spanning over 26 years in various facets of facilities and planning. She currently holds the position of associate vice president for University Planning at Ohio University, where she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in increasingly demanding roles over the past 18 years.

Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration (EVPFA) Teresa Costantinidis expressed her enthusiasm regarding Wolfe's appointment. "Shawna brings an abundance of facilities, planning, development, and campus services experience to UNM, including significant leadership roles at Ohio University,” said Costantinidis. “Her ability to articulate a strategic and collaborative vision will undoubtedly benefit our institution as she advances the work of UNM’s Institutional Support Services team."

ISS is the largest division within the organization of the EVPFA and boasts a substantial workforce of dedicated professionals. ISS comprises approximately 600 staff and more than 200 student employees. UNM's workforce supports the efforts of nearly 22,000 individuals across the state, including faculty, staff, and student employees situated across the main campus, branch campuses, and UNM Health and Health Sciences.

“I am excited to join The University of New Mexico and honored by the opportunity to collaborate and partner with the ISS team, the campus and communities that this university calls home and serve towards its mission,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe will oversee all facets of institutional support services including campus environments and facilities and campus business services to ensure the activities of all component units align to fulfill the University’s requirements, goals, and objectives. Specific areas of oversight include facilities, space planning and management, capital projects, campus utilities, real estate, and a wide range of self-sustaining, revenue-generating campus business enterprises and related internal service organizations.

Wolfe's selection followed a rigorous national candidate search, supported by the executive search firm WittKieffer, and managed by an internal search committee chaired by Kate Becker, CEO of UNM Hospitals. The search committee identified three finalists who were subsequently invited for on-campus interviews.

"The search committee is enthusiastic about the choice of Ms. Wolfe, and we all eagerly anticipate collaborating with her when she joins UNM,” said Becker. “Shawna’s passion for higher education and our mission was evident throughout the interview process."

Wolfe holds a Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Management from Ohio University.