Good afternoon Lobos –

I am pleased to report that the 2026 New Mexico legislative session concluded with strong support for higher education and meaningful investments in The University of New Mexico’s mission. On March 11, the governor finalized action on the FY27 state budget and related legislation, approving $1.518 billion for the Higher Education Department and institutions statewide—an increase of 6.5% for the sector.

For the University of New Mexico, the outcome is especially positive. Across all UNM campuses, recurring funding will increase by 8.2%, with significant investments dedicated to expanding and sustaining the health care workforce through UNM Health Sciences. The session also brought strong support for several of our institutional priorities, including increases to Instruction and General funding, major capital outlay investments for the UNM School of Medicine to expand the education and training of physicians and allied health professionals, and new funding for Lobo athletics programs and facilities.

Legislators also supported initiatives focused on faculty compensation, recruitment, and retention, as well as additional funding for support for students and medical residents.

Just as important, the state also approved research and development investments that will help position UNM students, faculty, and staff to contribute to New Mexico’s rapidly growing high-tech economy. These outcomes reflect the power of collaboration, with strong partnerships across state agencies and the shared commitment of policymakers to advancing higher education and opportunities across New Mexico.

For more details, please see the 2026 State Legislative Session Final Report, prepared by our Office of Government and Community Relations.

Leadership Changes at UNM–Valencia

A transition in leadership is underway at UNM-Valencia, as Interim Provost Barbara Rodriguez recently shared that Chancellor Samuel Dosumu has stepped down. We are grateful for his service and pleased that he will continue contributing to our academic community as a tenured faculty member. To ensure continuity, Laura Musselwhite—longtime dean of instruction and chief academic officer—will serve as interim chancellor. With her deep experience and commitment to students, I’m confident UNM-Valencia will continue its important work serving learners across Valencia County.

Join Me for Lobo Living Room with a Special Lobo Alum

Join me as I have the honor of sitting down with a Lobo visionary behind groundbreaking attractions like the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World. UNM Alumni is presenting a special Lobo Living Room event on Wednesday, March 25 at 11 a.m., From UNM to Universal: A Conversation with Mark Woodbury (’81). Mark is the Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences, leading some of the world’s top entertainment destinations like Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. The UNM School of Architecture and Planning graduate will visit George Pearl Hall for a one-on-one conversation with me about his journey from UNM to shaping world-class theme parks and unforgettable experiences. The event is free, but seating is limited, so click here to secure your tickets.

Navigating the Age of AI

At the University of New Mexico, our students are tackling one of today’s fastest-growing public health challenges: online misinformation. Jegason Diviant, a doctoral student in the UNM College of Population Health, is studying how artificial intelligence can both spread and help combat misleading information. Since arriving at UNM at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has combined public health training and innovative research to explore how people interpret digital content. His fascinating work highlights why AI literacy may be an emerging social determinant of health and underscores the importance of preparing students to navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Lobo Archivists Preserving the Voices of New Mexico

Deep in the basement of Zimmerman Library, the voices and stories of 20th-century New Mexicans are being digitally brought back to life. Archivist Samuel Sisneros and researcher María Feliza Monta-Jameson are leading the New Mexico Spanish Language Archival Recovery Project, digitizing hundreds of historic interviews with native Spanish speakers from across the region. Working through our Center for Southwest Research, the team has already preserved about 800 recordings, ensuring these stories, traditions and the unique Spanish of our state remain accessible for future generations.

Samuel Makes Lobo History (Again!) at NCAA Indoors

What an incredible weekend for Lobo Track & Field! Habtom Samuel captured the NCAA Indoor 5,000m national title in a thrilling race, becoming the first Lobo ever to win NCAA individual championships in cross country, indoor, and outdoor competition. His powerful finish capped an undefeated collegiate cross country and indoor season and marked his third NCAA title in three years. Our Lobos excelled across the meet, as Pamela Kosgei earned her sixth career First Team All-America honor with a third-place finish in the women’s 5K, Matthew Endrödy advanced to the Mile final, and Evans Kiplagat secured Second Team All-America honors. Congratulations to our outstanding Lobo student-athletes on another amazing performance!

Lobo Linguist Traces Language Across Continents

Language connects people in remarkable ways, and the most recent episode of the UNM podcast It’s Probably Not Rocket Science highlights just how global those connections can be. In the second installment of a two-part interview, UNM linguist Erin Wilkinson shares her fascinating research on how sign languages evolve across regions and generations. Working with collaborators in West Africa and the United States, Wilkinson is exploring similarities between American Sign Language and sign languages used in Côte d’Ivoire. By studying personalized “name signs,” her work reveals how languages change over time—and how Deaf communities remain deeply connected through culture, collaboration, and communication. Listen to the full conversation here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

You’re Invited to Hear More About Opportunities Ahead

Each spring, I share my annual State of the University address, an opportunity to reflect on what we’ve accomplished together over the past year and look ahead to what comes next for UNM. For my final address as president, I’ll be doing something a little different. Rather than a traditional speech, I’ll be joining three outstanding Lobo leaders for a conversation about the future of our university, titled Opportunities Ahead. I’m delighted to be joined by Interim Provost and EVP for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez, EVP for Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System Mike Richards and EVP for Finance and Administration Teresa Costantinidis. I hope you’ll join us next Monday, March 23 at 11 a.m. in Keller Hall. Please note the change in venue—this year’s event will take place in Keller Hall rather than our usual location in the Student Union Building.