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University of New Mexico

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Recent News About University of New Mexico

  • For the first time since before the pandemic, seven students were able to participate in a two-week-long trip to Nizwa, Oman. Thanks to the opportunity provided by the Department of Languages, Cultures, & Literatures (LCL), students deepened their connection to the Arabic language and culture.Janice Biondo, an undergraduate student at LCL, expressed her excitement about the trip, stating, “I wanted to improve my Arabic and experience living in an Arab country and experience the culture, food, and people up close and firsthand. There's no substitute for studying the...


  • The School of Architecture + Planning (SA+P) at UNM recently held the first On the Brinck Book Awards symposium for the spring semester, featuring authors Rosetta S. Elkin and Whitney Martinko. The event, moderated by Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture Catherine Page Harris, showcased the authors' award-winning books and sparked discussions on various topics.During the symposium, Rosetta S. Elkin, author of "Plant Life: The Entangled Politics of Afforestation," and Whitney Martinko, author of "Historic Real Estate: Market Morality and the Politics of...


  • Two students at UNM-Taos campus have been recognized for their academic achievements with national scholarships. Megan Beck and Colman Lee have been awarded prestigious scholarships that will help them pursue their educational and career goals.Megan Beck has been named a 2024 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, supported by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa. Beck's outstanding academic performance, leadership skills, and service efforts set her apart from over 2,200 applicants, earning her the highest score in New Mexico. As part of this scholarship, Beck...


  • One University of New Mexico Ph.D. student, Joseph Kleinkopf, has recently made headlines by winning The American Institute of Biological Sciences' (AIBS) annual Faces of Biology Photo Contest. Kleinkopf's winning photo captured him in action atop Sheepshead Peak, collecting alpine plant specimens for his fieldwork in UNM's Biology Department.Kleinkopf expressed his surprise at winning the competition, stating, "I was surprised to win, because there are a lot of really cool science photos. At the same time, it's a really cool photo." He also highlighted the importance of...


  • UNM College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) professors Karen Lux Gaudreault and Victoria N. Shiver have been working diligently to highlight the significance of physical educators through their Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program. Gaudreault emphasized the importance of providing opportunities for children in under-resourced populations to engage in physical activity and wellness programs. She stated, “It's very, very important to both of us that we continue to work in that space and bring our passions here to New Mexico.”In their research titled The...


  • UNM sophomore and Elementary Education major Izzy Reeves posed a crucial question at the recent 9th Annual Educators Rising State Conference in Albuquerque, asking, “So just how worried are you all about going to college?” The conference session, attended by approximately 50 future educators from high schools across New Mexico, saw a mix of nervous laughter and anticipation as the UNM Educators Rising club aimed to instill confidence in the attendees.State Director of Educators Rising, Christine Reyes, highlighted the importance of the program in preparing students for...


  • The Department of Economics and the School of Public Administration at the University of New Mexico have received a significant boost in providing career development opportunities for students. A $500,000 endowment has been established by Goldman Sachs Gives to support unpaid or low-paid internship opportunities through the Goldman Sachs Gives Public Service in Health Care Award.Patria de Lancer Julnes, director of the School of Public Administration, emphasized the importance of this endowment in supporting students who face financial challenges while pursuing career...


  • Students and teachers from various institutions are gearing up for the third annual three-day Neuroscience Workshop, hosted by The University of New Mexico (UNM) and coordinated by Mubarak Hussain Syed, assistant professor of Biology at UNM. The event is scheduled to take place from April 11 to April 13 at San Juan College in Farmington and the UNM campus in Albuquerque.Syed, the head of the Syed Neural Diversity Lab, expressed his excitement for the upcoming workshop, stating, "Building upon the success of previous years, this year's workshop promises to be an even more...


  • The University of New Mexico’s Optical Science and Engineering program recently marked its 40th anniversary with a series of events celebrating its contributions to the field of optics. The program, jointly administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Department of Physics and Astronomy, offers graduate degrees in optical science, photonics, quantum optics, and imaging.Daniel Feezell, professor and general chair of the OSE Program, highlighted the uniqueness of the program, stating, “The OSE Program is unique because it is a cross-college...


  • The University of New Mexico is set to celebrate a significant milestone as the Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies reaches its 20th year in 2024. To honor this achievement, the Department of Native American Studies (NAS) will host the 20th Viola F. Cordova Memorial Symposium on Tuesday, March 26, from 12 to 2 p.m.Under the theme "Looking Back, Moving Forward: 20 Years of the Native American Studies Bachelor of Arts Degree," the symposium will feature NAS alumni from 2011. These alumni will participate in panels discussing the practical application of their NAS...


  • A recent study has shed light on the unique play dynamics within chimpanzee communities, particularly emphasizing the crucial role of mother chimpanzees in fostering their offspring's development. Conducted by researchers Kris Sabbi and Zarin Machanda, the study focused on the play behavior of wild chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda. The findings, published in Current Biology, reveal intriguing insights into the social interactions and nurturing behaviors of these primates.The study highlighted that while adult chimpanzees typically engage in play, the dynamics...


  • The University of New Mexico has solidified its dedication to sustainability by becoming a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). Anne Jakle, UNM's director of Sustainability, emphasized the university's commitment by stating, "UNM’s strong commitment to sustainability is highlighted by its 2040 Strategic Framework, specifically Goal 4, Sustainability."AASHE Executive Director Meghan Fay Zahniser expressed gratitude for UNM's partnership, stating, "AASHE counts on the support of progressive institutions like The...


  • The College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences (CULLS) is set to benefit from a significant boost following a generous $1 million donation from Jim and Mary Lois Friday Hulsman. The donation aims to establish two new endowments that will enhance academic and professional development opportunities within the college.Leo Lo, the dean of the College of University Libraries and Learning Sciences, expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am profoundly moved by the generosity of Jim and Mary Lois Friday Hulsman. Their million-dollar donation marks a pivotal moment in the...


  • UNM’s American Studies Department has announced Professor Phil Deloria as the featured speaker for this year's Joel M. Jones lecture. Deloria's lecture, titled “The Year the Stars Fell: Toward a Continental History of a Very Few Hours”, will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Bobo Room in Hodgin Hall. A reception will follow the lecture, and the event is open to the public.According to the announcement, Deloria will delve into the historical significance of the annual Leonid meteor shower that occurred almost two centuries ago. The lecture...


  • The UNM Anderson School of Management recently celebrated the achievements of its newest Hall of Fame honorees at a dinner event, honoring individuals who have excelled in their professional careers and made significant contributions to their communities and families.Among the honorees were Stephen Griego, Kathryn Lueders, Shannon Rainosek, and Michael Duruaku. Stephen Griego, CEO and president of DMC Logistics and AeroLynx, shared his journey of entrepreneurial success, stating, "I learned many lessons along the way and strategically applied them to propel my business...


  • Scientists from The University of New Mexico have delved into the hidden geological history of the East Coast of the United States in a bid to better understand the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea. The research, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, sheds light on the dynamic processes that shaped our planet millions of years ago.Lead researcher Lindsay Worthington and Ph.D. student Collin Brandl conducted a community experiment called the ENAM Community Seismic Experiment to investigate how supercontinents break apart. Brandl explained that...


  • Ten talented students from The University of New Mexico Department of Music recently had the opportunity to showcase their skills at the Southwestern Regional Intercollegiate Band in Kansas City. Among them were saxophone players Daniel Slencsak, Alejandro Alva, Parker Head, and Taylor Gilman. UNM band director Emily Moss expressed pride in her students' performance, stating, “Our students did an exceptional job representing UNM in this Intercollegiate Honor Band. They performed at an extremely high level and gained valuable experience.”One of the undergraduate students,...


  • Local journalism in New Mexico is expanding with the introduction of Press Forward New Mexico, a new chapter that aims to revitalize and support the local news ecosystem in the state. The initiative, co-led by the Thornburg Foundation and the New Mexico Local News Fund at UNM, is part of a larger $500 million effort to boost local news across the U.S.Rashad Mahmood, Executive Director of the Local News Fund, expressed optimism about the impact of Press Forward in New Mexico, stating, “Bringing Press Forward to New Mexico will be transformative to our local news...


  • When David Lopez Amaya took his first class with Associate Professor of Political Science Loren Collingwood at The University of New Mexico, it fired his enthusiasm for political science, particularly the topic of voting rights for minorities.“Growing up in a disadvantaged, minority community, I recognized the importance of political engagement and representation as means for our voices to be heard,” said Lopez Amaya.Lopez Amaya expressed that the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the contentious political climate of the 2020 presidential election reaffirmed his...


  • The University of New Mexico's administrative policies are undergoing a thorough review and update thanks to an unexpected collaboration between the UNM Policy Office and the School of Law Library. Sherri Thomas, associate dean of Institutional Climate and Equity at the UNM School of Law, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "We want to make sure that anyone who reads the UNM administrative policies, regardless of their reading level, is able to understand them."The collaboration was born out of the University Policy Equity and Inclusion Lens (PEIL)...