Good afternoon Lobos –

Some big news for Lobo Nation: The University of New Mexico has entered a new 10-year partnership with Nusenda Credit Union that will provide meaningful, sustained support for our student-athletes and athletics programs. As part of this partnership, University Arena will be formally designated as The Pit—Powered by Nusenda, a name that honors our iconic building and six decades of Lobo tradition while recognizing a partner that has invested in UNM for more than forty years.

As I mentioned when we announced the agreement, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to our students and to the communities we serve across New Mexico. With nearly $7 million already invested in UNM initiatives over the years, Nusenda’s continued support strengthens everything from financial capability programs to innovation efforts on campus. It is an investment not only in Lobo athletics, but in the entire Lobo community.

I’m grateful to everyone involved for the hard work that helped bring this vision to life. Together, we’re investing in the success of our student-athletes and in the future of the Lobo family.

Women’s Track & Field Captures Second Indoor Team Title

Speaking of sports, congratulations to our incredible Lobo Track & Field teams on an unforgettable Mountain West Indoor Championship weekend! The Lobo women captured their second consecutive indoor team title in dominant fashion, nearly doubling the runner-up score and extending a remarkable streak of five straight conference championships across cross country and track. Standout performances from Tilly Simpson, Rebecca Grieve, Pamela Kosgei and our 4x400 relay squad powered a thrilling finish, with Coach Darren Gauson once again earning Coach of the Year honors. The Lobo men also delivered an outstanding showing, finishing a close second with multiple event champions and record-breaking performances. I’m so proud of these amazing student-athletes for representing The University of New Mexico with excellence, determination, and Lobo pride.

Project ECHO Releases 2025 Impact Report

I’m proud to share with you the 2025 Impact Report from Project ECHO, one of the most far-reaching innovations to come from The University of New Mexico. Even in a year marked by funding uncertainty and public health challenges, the ECHO community has continued to expand access to care and connect experts with providers on the front lines around the world. This year’s report highlights powerful, real-life stories—from a professor in Senegal advancing women’s leadership in health care to a Louisiana initiative dramatically increasing hepatitis C treatment through ECHO-guided teams—even as their work continues to expand in New Mexico and around the world. With new collaborations strengthening emergency preparedness across the U.S. and disease surveillance efforts in Africa, it’s inspiring to see how this New Mexico-born model continues to build healthier communities, both at home and around the globe.

Special Committee Created to Guide Institutional Integration of AI

Interim Provost Barbara Rodríguez has appointed a university-wide Artificial Intelligence Steering Committee to guide how AI is integrated across our academic and administrative units and to more thoughtfully inform the use of artificial intelligence across our campuses. Chaired by Mark Emmons, dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, the committee brings together faculty, staff, IT leaders, and student representatives to focus on ethical and responsible uses of AI. This group will develop a multi-year framework aligned with our UNM 2040 strategic goals, working to ensure that AI advances discovery, supports our communities, and strengthens the One University vision responsibly and ethically.

UNMH Receives Award for Pathogen Treatment



The University of New Mexico Hospital has been awarded a $500,000 Special Pathogen Treatment, Assessment, and Network Development (STAND) grant from the National Emerging Pathogens Training & Education Center, strengthening its role as New Mexico’s only Level I trauma center and a leader in critical care preparedness. As one of just 54 facilities selected nationwide for 2026, UNM Hospital will use the funding to enhance training, equipment, and response protocols for high-consequence infectious diseases such as Ebola and pneumonic plague. The award supports its advancement as a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center and helps close a key regional gap in the national preparedness network—ensuring New Mexicans have access to coordinated, expert care when it matters most.

Winograd Scholarship Receives Generous Commitment



The University of New Mexico School of Law has received a transformational $4.5 million commitment from alumnus Eric Knapp (’98) and his wife, Dana Marie Knapp—the largest philanthropic gift in the School’s history. Their pledge to the Peter A. Winograd Endowed Annual Scholarship in Law builds on more than two decades of giving and includes a principal-level estate gift to ensure lasting impact. The scholarship honors Professor Emeritus Peter A. Winograd, whose mentorship helped shape Eric’s legal career; the Knapp’s commitment will create up to 10 full-tuition scholarships in perpetuity, strengthening access, opportunity, and excellence for generations of UNM law students. I’m grateful to the Knapps for their support and generosity.

We BELONG to the Future Health Care Work Force

As New Mexico faces a critical shortage of health care providers—made more urgent by our state’s aging population—The University of New Mexico is stepping forward with a coordinated response. Interim Provost Barbara Rodríguez has launched BELONG—Building Environments for Learning, Opportunity, Navigation and Growth—a strategic enrollment and academic planning initiative designed to expand pathways into the health professions while strengthening undergraduate education and student support systems. Bringing together leaders from our Albuquerque campus, the Health Sciences Center, and UNM’s branch campuses, BELONG will assess enrollment trends, evaluate capacity, and develop sustainable strategies for growth. This forward-thinking effort reflects our commitment to meeting urgent statewide workforce needs while advancing—and spotlighting—our foundational academic mission.

Apply for a UNM Alumni Scholarship

The application window for 2026 UNM Alumni Scholarships is now open! This is a chance for current and incoming Lobo students to secure financial support for their education, with UNM Alumni offering undergraduate and graduate scholarships based on criteria that include academic achievement, financial need, and Lobo spirit. In addition, many UNM Regional Alumni Chapters are also providing scholarships and stipends for students from around the country. Applications for Alumni Scholarships are now being accepted online; the deadline to apply is midnight on April 30, 2026.

Podcast Reveals the Global Language of Resilience

At the University of New Mexico, linguist Erin Wilkinson is illuminating the richness of sign languages and the resilience of Deaf communities worldwide. On the latest installment of our award-winning It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science podcast, Wilkinson shares how global experiences—from Gallaudet University to Fulbright research in Italy and a genetics workshop in Paris—shape her work on language, mobility, and human diversity. Her scholarship highlights UNM’s commitment to inclusive discovery, inspiring students to engage across cultures and disciplines. You can listen and learn more wherever you find your podcasts.

Save the Date for Opportunities Ahead

Each spring, I deliver my annual State of the University address reflecting on all we’ve accomplished over the previous year and advancing our mutual hopes and ambitions for the coming year. This year, for my final address as president, I’ll be doing something a little different, engaging in a conversation on the future of UNM called Opportunities Ahead with three key Lobo leaders: EVP for Finance and Administration Teresa Costantinidis, Interim Provost and EVP for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez, and EVP for Health Sciences and CEO of the UNM Health System Mike Richards. I invite you to join us for our conversation on Monday, March 23 at 11 a.m. in Keller Hall. Please note that this is a different venue than usual for my annual address, which has traditionally taken place in the Student Union Building.

Remember to Spring Forward



Just a friendly springtime reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 8! Be sure to set your clocks forward one hour before heading to bed Saturday night so you don’t miss a beat on Sunday morning. While we may lose an hour of sleep, we gain longer, brighter evenings—perfect for enjoying all the activity and energy of campus this time of year. Here’s to a smooth transition and the extra sunshine in your day.