New Mexico Sun

University of New Mexico

Higher Ed | Colleges & Universities

Recent News About University of New Mexico

  • Two students from the School of Engineering have been awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP). Ashley Apodaca-Sparks, a master’s student in the Gerald May Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, and Mega Frost, a Ph.D. student in the Optical Science and Engineering Program, are the recipients of these prestigious awards.


  • A new initiative has been launched at the University of New Mexico's Center for Participatory Research to test engagement strategies aimed at fostering more reliable academic institutions and enhancing diversity and community leadership in research. The project, known as Engage for Equity (E2) PLUS, is being spearheaded by Distinguished Professor and Director for Participatory Research Nina Wallerstein, along with Associate Director Shannon Sanchez-Youngman.


  • The University of New Mexico (UNM) is participating in a $2.8 million project aimed at developing smart soles for shoes that integrate energy harvesters, primarily for health monitoring in military applications. Nathan Jackson, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is leading UNM's involvement in this 18-month initiative.


  • Nathan Jackson, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been awarded funding from the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant for a pilot study. The study aims to develop a novel method for detecting ovarian cancer.


  • Christopher Perfetti, an assistant professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, has been recognized as a recipient of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) Reactor Physics Division Early Career Reactor Physicist Award. This prestigious award acknowledges early career members of the Reactor Physics Division who have made significant contributions to the field of reactor physics. Perfetti is one of two individuals to receive this honor in 2024.


  • Rachel Swanteson-Franz, a second-year law student at The University of New Mexico School of Law, has been named a 2024 Peggy Browning Fellow. She will spend the upcoming summer working at the New Mexico Center for Law and Poverty.


  • A fruitful collaboration between Cathy Binger, a professor at UNM’s Speech & Hearing Sciences, and Jennifer Kent-Walsh, founder and professor at the University of Central Florida (UCF)’s Assistive Technology Center, is offering hope to families seeking to improve their children's communication skills. The duo has recently been awarded a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for their joint Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Labs and related research.


  • The University of New Mexico (UNM) is taking proactive steps to ensure the safety of everyone on its campus, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. In a bid to assess and improve the culture of safety, the Environmental Health and Safety department has conducted an audit of occupational safety culture with the assistance of Propulo Consulting.


  • Researchers from the Museum of Southwestern Biology (MSB) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) have revealed the long-distance migration patterns of the giant hummingbird, a discovery that has also led to the identification of a new species. The study, "Extreme elevational migration spurred cryptic speciation in giant hummingbirds," published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is the result of an eight-year investigation.


  • A memorial service is set to be held on May 17 for Professor Emeritus Jacob Jerome Brody, fondly known as Jerry, at The University of New Mexico campus. Brody passed away on May 5, 2024, at the age of 95, surrounded by his family at home. He leaves behind his wife Jean, their children Jefferson Lindsey Brody, Jonathan Edward Brody, and Allison Janet Brody, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.


  • The UNM College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) recently hosted the inaugural Adaptive Sports Day, an event designed to promote inclusivity in sports for individuals with disabilities. The initiative was spearheaded by COEHS’s Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) program and Sandia Prep.


  • The University of New Mexico (UNM) celebrated the graduation of nearly 3,000 students in a commencement ceremony held at the packed University Arena. The Class of 2024's journey to this moment was marked by unprecedented challenges as they began their college education during a pandemic.


  • Ashley McMains, a nursing student at The University of New Mexico College of Nursing, is not only a testament to resilience and determination but also an embodiment of compassion. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), McMains' journey has been punctuated by challenges and triumphs that have molded her into an exceptional individual ready to make significant contributions in the health care field.


  • A recent survey conducted by Advance at the University of New Mexico (UNM) reveals a complex mix of organizational experiences and attitudes among full-time, main campus faculty. The Fall 2023 survey highlighted high levels of work and teaching well-being among faculty, but low levels of physical and psychological well-being. Despite the ongoing challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty remained engaged with their work tasks and generally felt supported during the promotion and tenure process.


  • The University of New Mexico Sustainable Space Research Grand Challenge team is working to establish a center of space science-exploration excellence at the university. The team recently hosted an event that brought together industry, lab, and community space partners with faculty from various disciplines and institutions. This was done in an effort to connect all the space-related work happening across New Mexico.


  • Each year, as part of Spring and Fall commencement, in what has become a tradition, the University Communication and Marketing team highlights Lobos, who have inspired us through their exceptional leadership, courage, and perseverance during their time at UNM.


  • In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, Liz Courts found herself at a crossroads. Her long-standing career and freelance work had taken a hit, prompting her to reconsider her path and set her sights on The University of New Mexico.


  • UNM’s College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) is celebrating an extraordinary achievement with its Educational Leadership Program this May. The 2024 spring cohort has set a remarkable milestone, being one of the largest educational leadership groups in the country, boasting 25 different students achieving various accomplishments from UNM’s Department of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy (TEELP).Educational Leadership Program Associate Professor Shawn Secatero expressed his pride and admiration for the students, stating, "We are honored and extremely...


  • The College of Education & Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico has been commended in a recent state-sponsored review for its teacher preparation programs. The review, conducted by two Teacher Preparation Inspection evaluators (TPI-US) in support of the State of New Mexico’s literacy pilot program, highlighted the college's commitment to structured literacy and evidence-based practices.


  • Martin Vasquez, a recent graduate from the University of New Mexico (UNM), is making strides in the field of Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE). Vasquez, who holds a Doctor of Philosophy in PETE, is passionate about teaching and bringing diversity to the education sector.