Good afternoon Lobos –

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins today, September 15, and continues through Wednesday, October 15. Why begin mid-month? September 15 marks the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua in 1821, Mexico’s independence on September 16, 1810, and Chile’s independence on September 18, also in 1810. Over these 30 days, we honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanics and Latin Americans across the nation.

At The University of New Mexico, we celebrate our Hispanic heritage every day as an essential part of the Lobo legacy. UNM is a longtime member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and is also home to El Centro de la Raza, which has been providing services, community, and resources that have helped our students thrive for more than five decades. We are equally proud of our nationally recognized Chicana and Chicano Studies Department, which advances research, teaching, and cultural work rooted in Hispanic heritage while shaping the future of arts, history, and scholarship.

“It is important,” wrote Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic member of our nation’s highest court, “for all of us to appreciate where we come from and how that history has really shaped us in ways that we might not understand.” Throughout September and early October, I encourage you to explore the history that has shaped us, our community, and our university. Immerse yourself in Hispanic art and history, for instance, or read any of our great Chicana and Chicano writers—you’ll find plenty available from UNM Press—and reflect on this unique part of our legacy as Lobos.

UNM Secures $4 Million to Power Quantum Leap

The University of New Mexico is leading the charge into the next frontier of technology with a $4 million National Science Foundation award to design a photonic quantum computer. Guided by Distinguished Professor Marek Osinski, UNM’s team—working with Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories, NIST, and partner universities—has been named one of only four groups nationwide to advance in the prestigious National Quantum Virtual Laboratory program. Unlike most quantum systems that require extreme cold, this project aims to build a powerful quantum computer that works at room temperature. The award not only underscores UNM’s growing reputation as a hub for Quantum technology research but also strengthens UNM’s mission as an R1 research institution fueling discovery, opportunity, and workforce development.

Expanded Mohs Surgery Suite Enhances Care and Training

The University of New Mexico Hospital Dermatology Clinic has officially opened its expanded Mohs surgery and procedural suite, providing new hope for New Mexicans facing skin cancer while training tomorrow’s health care leaders. The 1,400-square-foot addition includes six procedure rooms, two phototherapy rooms, a nurses’ station, and an enlarged lab—greatly improving efficiency for patients undergoing this specialized, tissue-sparing cancer surgery. Beyond enhancing patient care, the suite supports education for medical students, residents, and fellows across multiple specialties. By combining innovation, collaboration, and compassionate care, this investment underscores UNM Health’s commitment to growing clinical capacity and strengthening New Mexico’s health workforce.

Make Your Voice Heard for a Safer UNM

At The University of New Mexico, we’re committed to ensuring every Lobo goes home safe and healthy each day. UNM Environmental Health & Safety invites all faculty and staff to take part in the anonymous Culture of Safety survey. Your input helps identify hazards, improve training, and strengthen leadership’s commitment to occupational safety across our classrooms, labs, and facilities. Thanks to past feedback, UNM has already launched new reporting systems, enhanced safety measures, and created an Executive Safety Committee. Now we need your perspective—your response can help prevent workplace injuries.

Parenting Student Space Opens September 26

Parenting students make up nearly one in five college students nationwide—and UNM is taking bold steps to ensure they feel seen, supported, and included. This fall, we are proud to open our first Parenting Space on the Albuquerque campus in Room 1034 of the Lobo Lair in the Student Union Building. The new hub is conveniently located near a lactation space and offers parenting students a welcoming place to connect, access resources, study, and build community, all while balancing family and academic life. The official grand opening happens during our Parenting Student Social on September 26, 2025—all part of our campus celebration of National Parenting Student Awareness Month. With this space, UNM reaffirms its commitment to helping every Lobo succeed, including those working hard to pursue their degrees while raising children. Parenting students are encouraged to register here to stay connected with future events and resources.

Call for Honorary Degree Nominations

Since 1924, UNM has honored more than 150 distinguished individuals with Honorary Degrees for their lasting contributions to society and scholarship. Nominations are now open for Honorary Degrees to be awarded for the Spring 2026 Commencement. Faculty, staff, and departments are encouraged to submit detailed nominations to the Office of the University Secretary by Friday, October 17, 2025.

Looking for Our Future App Innovators

The UNM Office of the Chief Information Officer is excited to sponsor the 14th Annual App Contest, inviting undergraduate students from UNM and CNM to showcase their creativity and technical skills. With expert mentoring, team-building meetups, and big prizes—$5,000 for 1st place, $2,500 for 2nd, and $1,000 for 3rd—this is your chance to design apps that make a difference for our community. Don’t miss the mentor meetups at Lobo Rainforest on September 18 and October 9--and be sure to register by October 31 to compete. Presentations and awards will be held November 21.

On the Latest Podcast: An Art Heist Homecoming

In 1985, two paintings disappeared in broad daylight from the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos — stolen by a pair of audacious art thieves. Nearly forty years later, the paintings Aspens and Oklahoma Cheyenne are finally back home, thanks to dogged investigative work and an FBI breakthrough—but that’s only the beginning of this remarkable story. In the latest episode of It’s Probably Not Rocket Science, recorded in Taos, you’ll hear from Harwood Executive Director Juniper Leherissey and journalist Lou Schachter, who helped crack the case. Who took the paintings? Where have they been? And how did a cold case turn into a triumphant return? You can learn all this and more on the latest installment of It’s Probably Not Rocket Science, UNM’s award-winning podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts.