Good afternoon Lobos –

Leadership transitions are never easy, yet as we reflect on The University of New Mexico’s recent history, we are reminded that there has been remarkable stability and a strong foundation of dedicated leadership. This continuity and commitment have placed us on a positive trajectory, and today’s announcement is another step in the right direction.

I’m pleased to announce that I have appointed Barbara Rodriguez, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, as Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 3, upon the departure of James Holloway, who was recently appointed president of the University of Toledo.

This is a pivotal time for The University of New Mexico. With major initiatives underway—from expanding student success efforts and advancing faculty recruitment to addressing statewide workforce needs and implementing academic innovations—we must move forward without pause. Barbara is uniquely equipped to guide us during this transitional period. A distinguished scholar, experienced administrator, and respected member of the UNM community, she brings both strategic insight and a deep commitment to student achievement and inclusive excellence.

Barbara has served in a wide range of academic leadership roles—she has been a professor of speech and hearing sciences since 1999--and is well known across campus for her thoughtful approach and collaborative spirit. I’m confident she will work closely with our faculty, staff, and leadership team to keep UNM moving forward.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to everyone who submitted nominations and provided thoughtful feedback during this process. The overwhelming support for Barbara to step into this role was both heartening and a testament to the trust she has earned from her colleagues across campus.

UNM Celebrates June with Pride

June is National Pride Month, a time for celebrating the LGBTQ community and allies everywhere while also honoring those who fought for LGBTQ rights and acceptance in the wake of the raid of the Stonewall Inn in New York in June 1969.

The University of New Mexico is proud to be a place where the LGBTQ community is openly loved, accepted, and embraced. We are fortunate to have an active and compassionate LGBTQ Resource Center that works to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all members of UNM and our surrounding community.

Throughout June, our LGBTQ Resource Center will be hosting or supporting celebratory events on our campus and beyond, from parades and paletas to UNM United Night at the Isotopes. All members of the community are welcome. UNM is proud to celebrate the mutual love and humanity that brings us together.

Stolen Taos Masterpieces Return to Harwood After 39 Years

Two long-lost treasures are finally home. Nearly four decades after their 1985 theft, Victor Higgins’ painting Aspens and Joseph Henry Sharp’s Oklahoma Cheyenne have been returned to UNM’s Harwood Museum of Art in Taos, thanks to a tip from an investigative reporter and the dedication of the FBI’s Santa Fe team. These iconic works—by two founding members of the Taos Society of Artists—were stolen right off the walls of the Harwood 39 years ago. This week, they’ll be unveiled during Harwood’s First Friday event on Friday, June 6 at 4:30 p.m. as part of The Return of Taos Treasures exhibition. This incredible story blends art, history, and a little detective work—and it’s a proud moment for UNM and the Taos community as we welcome these paintings home.

Pictured above: Victor Higgins, Aspens, c. 1932. Oil on canvas, 12x14. Collection of Harwood Museum of Art.  

Lobo Students Leading the Way in Research, Resilience, and Creativity

From groundbreaking research and academic honors to fearless skiing and space-inspired performances, Lobos are showing the world what it means to lead with passion, talent, and creativity. Seniors Mia Baca and Abel Molinar from the School of Engineering recently earned prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowships, a rare honor for undergraduates. Both are McNair Scholars and first-generation college students, and both are headed for Ph.D. programs in chemical and mechanical engineering.

In Computer Science, Ph.D. student Mike Adams was named Adaptive Sports Program NM’s 2025 Athlete of the Year. Mike, who has cerebral palsy, is a fearless black diamond skier—without outriggers! —and a standout researcher in parallel processing.

In music, recent Fulbright winner Christopher Dollesin brought the cosmos to Keller Hall with his piece Celestial Bodies in Motion, a boundary-pushing space-themed recital that blends sound, science, and storytelling. Christopher is the first student to be featured in UNM Student Spotlight, a new regular feature found in the UNM Newsroom.

At UNM-Taos, Alex Alvarez turned an Intro to Geology class into a new career path, earning the statewide Pipkin Book Scholarship, a statewide honor recognizing the top geoscience students from institutions across New Mexico. She plans to pursue conservation ecology and environmental restoration.

Together, these inspiring Lobos remind us that innovation, determination, and heart are at the core of everything we do at UNM. Congratulations to all of them on their remarkable achievements.

Wallen Honored with National Award for Research Administration

Congratulations to Denise Wallen, Research Assistant Professor in the College of Education and Human Sciences, who has received the prestigious Robert C. Anderson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research Administration from the National Council of University Research Administrators. With a UNM career spanning more than four decades, Wallen has been a guiding force in advancing research efforts across campus and beyond. From mentoring faculty to shaping major initiatives, she’s helped pave the way for generations of researchers and administrators, and UNM is proud to celebrate her dedication, leadership, and enduring impact on the research community. Congratulations, Professor Wallen—you’ve made Lobo Nation proud.

UNM Law’s Environmental Program Earns A+ National Recognition

The University of New Mexico School of Law’s Natural Resources and Environmental Law (NREL) program has earned an A+ rating from PreLaw Magazine—placing it among just 18 programs nationwide to receive a perfect score. This top-tier recognition reflects the exceptional academic and hands-on training our students receive, preparing them to lead in areas like climate policy, water law, tribal resource management, and environmental justice. With award-winning faculty and access to opportunities like the NREL Clinic and Natural Resources Journal, our Lobo environmental law students get real-world experience rooted in the legal challenges of the Southwest. Congratulations to the NREL team for making Lobo Law a national leader in environmental law!

Lobo Track & Field Sends 11 to NCAA Championships

Congratulations to our Lobo Track & Field team for their spectacular performance at the NCAA West Regionals, where 11 of our student-athletes qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championships, tying the second-most in program history.

They’ll be competing at the finals in Eugene, Oregon, beginning on June 11.

Welcome to Summer School!

With the Summer 2025 semester officially underway, it’s my pleasure to welcome everyone joining us for the next eight weeks at UNM’s campuses across the state. And to our Lobo students and faculty studying, researching, and teaching in locations around the country and around the world, I wish you safe travels--and we’ll see you when you return for the Fall semester.