Good afternoon Lobos –

I’m excited to share that UNM Health Sciences is launching a new Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program—the first in New Mexico to offer a concentration in medical social work. Housed within the School of Medicine, the program will prepare students for careers in clinical social work and behavioral health counseling, as well as advanced case management in hospitals, hospice care, home health settings, and other medical environments.

This new program comes at a critical time, as New Mexico continues to face significant shortages in behavioral health professionals. Supported by a $10.5 million investment from the New Mexico Higher Education Department, the MSW program will help expand our workforce while preparing graduates to address not just individual needs, but also the broader community and social factors that influence health and well-being.

Applications for the first cohort are being accepted through August 31, with classes beginning in January 2027. A bachelor’s degree in social work is not required, making this an exciting opportunity for students from a variety of academic backgrounds who are passionate about serving others and strengthening communities across our state. Congratulations to everyone whose vision and hard work made this important new program possible.

Six Lobo Engineers Earn NSF CAREER Awards

Six University of New Mexico School of Engineering faculty members have earned prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Awards this year—an extraordinary achievement that may be a single-year record for the school. Congratulations to Afsah Anwar, William Bricker, Claus Danielson, Maryam Hojati, John King, and Heng Zuo, whose innovative research spans cybersecurity, DNA nanotechnology, autonomous systems, wildfire-resilient construction materials, molecular biology, and advanced manufacturing. These highly competitive awards provide five years of support for promising early-career faculty and reflect the remarkable talent driving discovery at UNM.

Advancing Awareness of a Unique New Mexico Health Condition

UNM School of Medicine researchers are leading an important outreach effort to help northern New Mexico families learn about cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM), a rare genetic condition that can cause bleeding in the brain and lead to serious neurological complications. Because the gene mutation responsible for CCM is unusually common among families with deep roots in northern New Mexico, our researchers are partnering with communities to provide education, awareness, and free DNA testing for those who may be at risk. With support from the New Mexico Legislature and community partners, our team is bringing testing and educational opportunities directly to communities throughout the region. I’m proud of the life-changing impact our researchers continue to make through science, outreach, and community service.

Making Music, Making Connections

Four talented UNM graduate students who make up the Abe Franck String Quartet recently traveled to China for an extraordinary international residency at the Zhejiang Conservatory of Music, one of the country’s premier conservatories. During their 10-day visit, the students performed alongside Chinese musicians, participated in intensive masterclasses with world-renowned faculty, and wonderfully represented The University of New Mexico on an international stage.

The trip marks an exciting milestone in a new exchange partnership created by our College of Fine Arts faculty, opening opportunities for UNM students to study abroad while welcoming students from China to our campus. Experiences like this broaden perspectives, strengthen artistic excellence, and demonstrate the power of music to connect people across cultures. Congratulations to these outstanding student ambassadors and the faculty who are making this amazing opportunity possible.

UNM Closed on Friday for Independence Day

As we head toward the Independence Day holiday this coming weekend, I hope you'll take time to enjoy family and friends, attend a community celebration, and reflect on the remarkable milestone our nation reaches this year—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It's an opportunity not only to celebrate, but also to consider the ongoing American experiment well into our nation’s third century: our enduring pursuit of liberty, equality, opportunity, and the promise of a more perfect union.

A little more than a decade into our declared independence, as the Constitutional Convention concluded in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government our Founders had created. His famous reply—"A republic, if you can keep it"—remains as relevant today as ever. As we celebrate 250 years of our nation's independence, may we all remember that the strength of our republic depends on each of us doing our part to preserve, improve, and pass it on to those who follow.

Because Independence Day falls on a Saturday, The University of New Mexico will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of the federal holiday. I hope our faculty, staff, and students enjoy the long weekend and the opportunity to rest and recharge. For those who will be working in our hospitals, clinics, public safety operations, and other essential areas, thank you for your continued dedication and service to our university and the people of New Mexico.