Good afternoon Lobos –

The New Mexico State Legislature’s 60-day session has officially ended, with our legislators and governor approving a final state budget of $10.8 billion for FY 2026, a nearly 6% increase. As enacted, the budget reflects a strong commitment to higher education, with $1.2 billion in recurring general fund appropriations allocated to higher education institutions, supplying $37.9 million in new money statewide, a 3.3% increase above FY25. This includes important new targeted investments, jointly supported by the legislature and governor, boosting student support services and graduate compensation.  

It is evident that UNM was well supported by the legislature and governor in both budget and other state policies enacted during the session. UNM’s major funding comes from recurring appropriations, mainly Instruction and General (I&G), which funds basic operations including instruction, administration, campus operations, and student support. Recurring funding also supports Research and Public Service Projects (RPSPs) that serve specific programmatic purposes at higher education institutions. For the coming year, UNM will receive an increase in our recurring funding of $16.9 million system-wide, exclusive of compensation appropriations, an increase of 3.6 percent. We also received important funding for specific compensation increases and increased medical benefits costs for employers. 

The final budget also provided $19,350,000 in special appropriations for 15 projects at UNM. These special appropriations provide one-time money that typically must be expended by the end of the coming fiscal year. Key funding priorities for us include $2.5 million for the College of Population Health; $1.8 million to support a mental health, substance use disorders and criminal justice technical assistance center; and $1.8 million for the Quantum New Mexico Institute.  

Lawmakers also authorized dozens of special appropriations to New Mexico’s Higher Education Department (HED), Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), and Economic Development Department (EDD), many of which UNM will be eligible to receive by statewide administrative formula or by demonstrated need, in alignment with state agency priorities. Important appropriations on the list include $40 million for building renewal and replacement, $3 million for equipment renewal and replacement, $10 million to the Technology Enhancement Fund, $72 million to the New Mexico Match Fund and $40 million to the Research, Development and Deployment Fund, all of which will be important for our facilities and research programs that are seeking additional support.  

The final signed capital outlay bill includes $125,628,333 for 30 UNM capital projects across all campuses. Generous funding was provided for our largest requests such as the Humanities and Social Sciences Complex, the planning and design phase of our proposed new School of Medicine Facility, Phase II of the College of Pharmacy Renovation, and the initial planning phase for UNM Stadium improvements. UNM also received capital outlay funding for many other mission-critical projects for which we received broad support from many individual legislators and the executive branch. 

For details and more information, the UNM Office of Community and Government Relations has prepared an in-depth analysis of the FY26 budget and what it means for The University of New Mexico.  

I want to thank everyone, especially our student leaders, the UNM government relations team, our Regents, the Council of University Presidents, and of course those policymakers who represent us, who demonstrated real commitment to UNM and higher education in this year’s legislative session. I also appreciate the many other Lobos who met with and provided information to legislative leaders to keep our priorities top-of-mind—and who shared how UNM continues to provide support for local communities and our state.  

UNM Researchers Move Closer to Alzheimer’s Vaccine 

We have exciting news from UNM Health Sciences as our Lobo researchers are one step closer to launching human clinical trials for a vaccine targeting Alzheimer’s disease. In a recent study published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, a team led by Professor Kiran Bhaskar found that their experimental vaccine triggered a strong immune response in mice and non-human primates. Developed using an innovative virus-like particle platform, the vaccine offers a promising new approach, and the team now hopes to begin Phase 1 human trials. We’re incredibly proud of this groundbreaking work happening right here at UNM! 

Lobo History Professor Named ACE Fellow  

Congratulations to Elizabeth Quay Hutchison, professor of history and Regents’ Professor in UNM’s College of Arts & Sciences, on being named a 2025-26 American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow. Dr. Hutchison is one of just 25 leaders selected nationwide for this prestigious leadership development program. A longtime champion for equity, inclusion, and faculty governance at UNM, she’ll spend the year working alongside senior leaders at a host university, building new skills and perspectives to bring back to UNM. Her fellowship project will focus on improving how large public universities address sexual harassment and support institutional conflict resolution. We’re proud to see her work recognized on the national stage and excited for the insights and innovation she’ll bring back to our Lobo community. 

Honoring Two UNM Legends: Becknell and Bailey Collections Now Available  

What a privilege it is to have the legacies of Rev. Charles Becknell, Sr., Ph.D., and Harold Bailey, Ph.D., preserved and available for research at UNM’s Center for Southwest Research (CSWR). Thanks to generous donations and funding from the Center for Regional Studies, graduate students Hakim Bellamy and Carlyn Pinkins spent two years cataloging these historic collections. Their work reveals stories of leadership, activism, and service—from Becknell’s founding of UNM’s Africana Studies Department to Bailey’s role in advancing equity at UNM and beyond. These collections are rich with documents, photos, speeches, and more, capturing decades of impact. Researchers are invited to explore the collections in person at the CSWR. Congratulations to all who made this incredible project possible! 

UNM-Gallup Professor Helps Shape New Climate Action Approach 

Congratulations to Associate Professor Antoinette Abeyta from UNM-Gallup, who co-authored a groundbreaking paper in Nature Climate Change. Alongside 22 other members of the Ecological Forecasting Initiative, Abeyta is helping reimagine how we use ecological forecasts for climate change action—shifting the focus to near-term decision-making and emphasizing equity. Abeyta’s work highlights the importance of making environmental data science education more accessible, especially for students at community colleges and tribal-serving institutions. It’s thrilling to see UNM-Gallup leading the national conversation about climate resilience, equity, and building a more inclusive future for environmental science. 

One Step Closer to a Cure for Cancer  

A world without cancer. Researchers at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center are working to make that vision a reality, one breakthrough at a time. In the latest episode of It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science, UNM gynecologic oncologist Dr. Sarah Adams shares exciting new breakthroughs in the fight against cancer, including a shelf-stable “zombie vaccine” and new clinical trial models that bring care closer to New Mexicans. From pragmatic clinical trials to new hormone therapies for uterine cancer, UNM’s work is reshaping cancer care right here at home, for the good of the world. Catch the latest episode wherever you get your podcasts.

Men's Tennis Team Wins Mountain West Tournament

Congratulations to our Men’s Tennis team, which captured the Mountain West Tournament title with a thrilling 4-0 win over No. 42 Boise State, securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Leading the way was UNM’s All Mountain West player Aram Noroozian, who clinched the doubles point and dominated at No. 1 singles. This marks UNM’s fourth tournament title and first since 2009! Congratulations to the entire team and to first-year head coach Rob Bareford for an incredible season.