Good afternoon Lobos –

Great universities are built on leadership marked by academic excellence, integrity and a deep commitment to students and community. With those values in mind, I am delighted to announce that I have officially appointed Barbara Rodriguez as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective today. This appointment reflects the decision of incoming President Steve Goldstein, who interviewed the finalists identified through our national search process and selected Barbara as the right partner to help lead UNM into its next chapter.

Barbara is an extraordinary leader whose dedication to this university and to the people of New Mexico has been evident throughout her career. A proud UNM alumna and Española native, she has spent more than 25 years serving our students, faculty and communities with wisdom, compassion and integrity. From her work as a bilingual clinician and scholar to her leadership as department chair, senior vice provost and interim provost, Barbara has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to academic excellence and student success.

As provost, Barbara will serve as a central partner to incoming President Steve Goldstein as he leads UNM into its next chapter — building on the strong momentum across our university and continuing to advance opportunity, innovation, research and student success for the people of New Mexico. I could not be more confident in her leadership, or more excited about what lies ahead for UNM.

Vice President for Academic Affairs for the UNM Health Sciences Center


I am also pleased to share that Dr. Joanna Fair has been selected as Vice President for Academic Affairs for the UNM Health Sciences Center, effective June 15. A Regents' Professor and Chief of Nuclear Medicine in the Department of Radiology at the UNM School of Medicine, Dr. Fair also currently serves as Chief of Staff for UNM Hospitals — bringing to this role a rare combination of clinical, academic, and operational leadership. During more than six years as Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, she helped grow UNM's GME programs by 17 residencies and fellowships, expanding to 71 ACGME-accredited programs supporting more than 750 trainees. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Physics from the University of Colorado and an M.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, and completed her radiology training here at UNM. Selected following a national search conducted in partnership with WittKiefer, Dr. Fair will work in close partnership with Provost Rodriguez to advance the academic and clinical missions of the Health Sciences Center. Please join me in welcoming her to her new role.

New Study Boosts Quantum Computing Performance


Lobo researchers continue to shape the the future of quantum computing as graduating Ph.D. student Leeseok Kim, working with Assistant Professor Milad Marvian and collaborator Changhao Yi, recently developed a new approach that uses randomization to better suppress noise in quantum computers—one of the field’s biggest challenges. Their work was published in the prestigious journal Physical Review Letters and presented at the international QSim 2025 conference. Even more exciting, the technique can be added to existing quantum platforms without major changes, helping accelerate future discoveries in computing, materials science, and beyond.

UNM Faculty Research Helps Shape More Inclusive Campus Communities


Important work happening at The University of New Mexico is helping move conversations about inclusion and accessibility forward in meaningful ways. Marissa Greenberg, associate professor in the Department of English Language and Literature, has co-authored a new study exploring the experiences of faculty with disabilities and offering recommendations to help colleges and universities build more welcoming and supportive environments. Drawing on national research as well as data collected here at UNM, the study encourages institutions to move beyond simple compliance and foster a true culture of belonging. Through her scholarship, advocacy and leadership, Professor Greenberg is helping ensure that every member of our academic community feels valued and supported—a reflection of UNM’s ongoing commitment to equity, access and opportunity for all New Mexicans.

Lobo Researchers Advance New Solutions for Water Sustainability


As drought and climate pressures intensify across the Southwest, Lobo researchers are delivering important new insights into agricultural water use in the Middle Rio Grande Basin. Led by doctoral researcher Tosin Olofinsao with faculty mentors Jingjing Wang and Robert Berrens, the new study combines satellite data, GIS mapping and agricultural records to better understand how water is distributed among farms during severe drought conditions. The research found that thousands of small irrigators collectively account for most agricultural water use in the basin, underscoring the need for inclusive conservation strategies. This exciting work, reflecting the priorities of our research Grand Challenges, will help guide future water policy while supporting New Mexico’s agricultural traditions and communities.