UNM has received the largest philanthropic gift from an individual or couple in its 135-year history. A $30 million commitment from Gail and Jim Ellis, a 1968 UNM alumnus, will transform the University’s business school into The James and Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership, expand access and opportunity for students, and strengthen New Mexico’s economic future for generations to come.

“UNM opened doors for me. It gave me the foundation to build a career across business, academia, and global markets. This investment creates that same opportunity for the next generation. If we do this right, the impact will be measured in the strength of the communities our graduates serve.” - Jim Ellis, 1968 UNM Alumnus

Left to Right: UNM Foundation President and CEO Jeff Todd, Dean Alina Chircu, UNM President Garnett Stokes, Dr. Gail Ellis, and Jim Ellis.

NEWS

UNM Team Secures First Overall in Global CQA Investment Challenge

UNM team placed first overall in the 2025-2026 Chicago Quantitative Alliance (CQA) Investment Challenge. Lobo Investment Club students – David Dávila and Samuel Landis – competed in the six-month equity portfolio management challenge among international institutions, displaying well-executed strategies and earning $3,000 in prize money.

At the end of the competition, Alpha Strategies generated approximately 29.06% return with zero compliance violations. Their compounded annual growth rate for strategy was 84.4% per year and had a 2.35 Sharpe ratio.

UNM hosts first New Mexico qualifier for 2026 Global Scaling Challenge

UNM hosted the first-ever in-person New Mexico regional qualifier for the 2026 Global Scaling Challenge (GSC), marking a major milestone in the program’s continued expansion.

Five teams from across New Mexico presented innovative scaling strategies for Mesa Quantum, a New Mexico operating quantum sensing company developing next-generation positioning, navigation, and timing solutions beyond GPS.

Analyzing the Future of Community Banking: Students Compete in National Case Challenge

UNM assembled the first New Mexico team to compete in the Community Bank Case Study Competition hosted by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS).

Students partnered with Main Bank in Albuquerque to analyze real-world banking practices as part of the competition.

UNM Team Competes as Semifinalists in 2026 National Ethics Case Competition

An undergraduate team advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 National Ethics Case Competition, held April 16–18 in Washington, D.C.

Ranked among the top 18 teams in the nation, the group analyzed complex business ethics dilemmas and presented solutions to a panel of judges.

The team’s strong performance earned semifinalist honors, with their essay selected for publication. An honor shared by only two other semifinalist teams nationwide.

New Mexico Institutions Unite to Highlight Careers in Government Finance

UNM partnered with the New Mexico State Treasurer’s Office and New Mexico State University to host a collaborative program connecting students with senior leaders across state government. The cross-institutional event showcased career pathways in public-sector finance, including accounting, budgeting, and investment management.

The half-day program featured panel discussions with directors and executives from the Public Employees Retirement Association, the Educational Retirement Board, the New Mexico Finance Authority, the State Investment Council, and the State Personnel Office.

CCE Recognized with 2026 NM Excellence in STEM Award

The Corporate and Community Engagement office has been named a recipient of the 2026 New Mexico Excellence in STEM Award for its Rural Student Connectivity Project (RSCP). The initiative supports rural student success through technology access, career preparation, and community engagement.

Innovation Academy hosts 2026 Entrepreneurship Workshop Week

The Innovation Academy hosted Entrepreneurship Workshop Week in February, welcoming business students and faculty from Japan for an immersive program centered on U.S. entrepreneurship, innovation, and entrepreneurial pitch strategy. The week provided hands-on learning opportunities and concluded with a business pitch competition that highlighted students’ growth and creativity.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Top executives: Banking Leaders Shaped at The James and Gail Ellis School of Business Leadership (previously Anderson School of Management)

A new series was launched this spring highlighting alumni who now serve as top executives across a variety of industries. The series will explore how the school's innovative curriculum, faculty expertise, and commitment to real-world learning help prepare graduates to lead organizations with confidence, purpose, and strategic vision.

The series begins by spotlighting the banking industry and the accomplished alumni who have built impactful careers within it. Featured alumni include Michelle Coons, Michelle Dearholt, Ron Moorehead, Scott Page, and Craig Reeves.

Accounting Student Appointed to the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board

Britten Ratcliff, an undergraduate accounting student has been appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to serve on the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board. Britten will represent the public on the board for the next three years. He will be joining accounting professionals from across the state to help guide and uphold standards within the profession.

FACULTY RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

UNM Study Uncovers a “Motherhood Advantage” in the Workplace

The study, “Uncovering a motherhood advantage: How parenthood impacts perceptions of the meaning of work and work outcomes,” published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, was designed to test competing narratives about parenthood and workplace commitment.

Assistant Professor of Human Resource Management I-Heng (Ray) Wu coauthored this academic article with researchers from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, University of South Florida, Shandong University, and Providence College.

Associate Professor Releases New Book on Gender and Leadership

Dr. Lisa Marchiondo is bringing renewed attention to critical issues through her recently released book, Gender and Leadership: Shattering the Status Quo. Serving as editor, Dr. Marchiondo collaborated with leading scholars from around the world to present research that challenges common misconceptions and examines structural barriers shaping leadership opportunities.

In addition to her role as editor, Dr. Marchiondo co-authored a chapter with Lecturer Nicole Capehart, focusing on case studies that highlight complex workplace scenarios.

Associate Professor Lisa Marchiondo

Lecturer Nicole Capehart

Associate Professor Dimitri Kapelianis receives Inaugural NMBA Award

Dr. Dimitri Kapelianis has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural New Mexico Broadcasters Association (NMBA) Innovation and Workforce Development Award.

The newly established award was created by NMBA to honor individuals and organizations that are helping shape the future workforce of New Mexico while building meaningful connections between education, innovation, and industry.

Distinguished Professor Steven Walsh receives UNM Award for Community-Engaged Work

Dr. Steven Walsh has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Annual Community Engaged Research Lectureship Award by the UNM Research Policy Committee.

The CERL represents one of the highest honors bestowed by UNM in recognition of exemplary community-engaged research and creative work.

ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS

Congratulations to our Alumni on their continued success and growth in their fields!

Congratulations to our alumni named as 2026 40 Under 40 honorees by Albuquerque Business First.

John Algermissen

BBA '19

Neil P. Altomare

BBA '16

Victoria Ann Archuleta BBA '14, MBA '24

Cameron

Berenger-Russell

BBA '23

Joshua M. Clemena MBA '18

Breanna Contreras BBA '10

Rico O. Gallegos

BBA '12, MACCT '13

Leslie K. Jiron

BBA '11

Peter Kelton

MBA '13

Claire E. Kowalski

BBA '16, MBA '19

Marcos Santiago Rivera

BBA '08

Aly Sanchez, EMBA '06 was named CEO of The Grant Plant, Inc.

Ryan Berryman, BBA '15, MBA '16 was named Vice President / Director of Athletics at New Mexico Lobos.

Carlos Garcia, BBA '99 was named Chief Executive Officer of HOLMANS USA.

Justin Hyde, BBA '11, EMBA '22 joined Nusenda Credit Union as Vice President of Small Business.

Stephanie Melton BBA '97, was recognized in Forbes' 2026 Best-in-State CPAs list.

Maxwell Kagan BBA '99, MBA '10 joins REDW as their first ever CFO.

Josh Lucio, EMBA '20 was appointed as a trustee of the Southwest Native American Foundation.

Lauren Sandoval MBA '14, was recognized as a 2026 Top Women Originator by the Scotsman Guide.

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Inaugural Lobo Venture Capital Cup showcases Student Innovation and Investment Skills

The first-ever Lobo Venture Capital Cup concluded in April with a ceremony awarding up to $36,000 in total to top-performing student teams. The recent six-week competition provided students with the opportunity to experience both sides of the startup funding ecosystem: building companies and investing in them.

Student Organizations Host New Mexico State Auditor

In April, New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas visited campus to speak with UNM students about the duties of his office and internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The event was hosted by student organizations: Beta Alpha Si, American Indian Business Association (AIBA), and MAFIA Accounting.

Three Students Recognized with 2026 SHRM Scholarship for Excellence in HR Management

The UNM SHRM Student Chapter, in partnership with Central New Mexico SHRM, recently recognized three students with the 2026 SHRM Scholarship for Excellence in Human Resource Management. Recipients Essence Copeland, Sara Zuni, and Samantha Griswold were honored for their academic achievement, leadership, and commitment to the HR profession at the Central New Mexico SHRM monthly meeting on May 19.

Left Photo: Scholarship recipients Sara Zuni (left) and Samantha Griswold (right) with Lecturer and UNM SHRM Student Chapter Faculty Lead Christopher Nguyen (middle). Right photo: Scholarship recipient Essence Copeland.

EMBA Cohort spends an Immersive Week in Lisbon

In March, Executive MBA students embarked on an immersive week in Lisbon, Portugal, engaging with local institutions and business leaders. The experience extended their EMBA coursework beyond UNM, offering a global perspective on leadership, strategy, and innovation.

Know someone who would be a good fit for the Executive MBA Program?

Nominate them today! Nominations accepted year-round

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

New changes to the Executive MBA Class of 2028

Shawn Berman, PhD, announced as the new Executive MBA Faculty Lead

Dr. Berman will serve as the liaison between students and school leadership and will focus on aligning Executive MBA experience and curriculum with the needs of the New Mexico business community.

New Academic Advisor for

Executive MBA – Tessa Gamez

Tessa joins the Executive MBA team, bringing years of student support experience.

Streamlined curriculum of 39 credit hours (reduced from 43 credit hours) is anticipated to begin in Fall 2026

The new Executive MBA curriculum will provide room for students to take two electives to customize their degree, while still focusing on the strategic senior leadership strategies that have been the pillar of the program.

Executive MBA students will now begin in the Fall semester

Classes will begin on July 27, with the cohort graduating in May 2028.

View the EMBA calendar.

Key Graduate Program Dates

EMBA UNM Staff Scholarship

Deadline to apply: July 1

Application Form

Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort is open! This scholarship offers eligible UNM employees to pursue an EMBA with the help of a scholarship designed to ease the financial burden beyond what tuition remission covers.

Virtual Graduate Open House

July 22, 2026, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Zoom - RSVP

Learn how earning a graduate degree can benefit your professional journey by attending one of our events!

unmanderson@unm.edu