UNM Board of Regents approves leadership profile for presidential search

The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has approved the leadership profile that will guide the national search for UNM's next president.

The profile reflects input gathered from campus and community listening sessions, the presidential search advisory committee, and was prepared with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller, the executive search firm supporting the process. It outlines the opportunities and challenges facing UNM, along with the qualifications and characteristics sought in the University's next leader.

"The leadership profile reflects what we heard from our campus and communities across New Mexico, a clear call for a dynamic, visionary and collaborative leader who will build on UNM's strengths and help shape our next chapter," said UNM Board of Regents Chair Paul Blanchard, who also chairs the Presidential Search Advisory Committee. "This profile will serve as our roadmap as we move forward with a rigorous national search."

Key priorities outlined in the profile

The profile identifies several priorities for the next president, including:

• Advancing UNM 2040: Opportunity Defined by aligning academic, research, health care and economic priorities
• Strengthening financial resilience through strategic resource management, innovative revenue streams, and expanded philanthropic and public-private partnerships
• Accelerating enrollment growth and student success, positioning UNM as a national model for inclusive excellence
• Expanding UNM's research and innovation enterprise through deeper partnerships, commercialization, and leadership in emerging fields
• Enhancing UNM's role as New Mexico's health care leader by extending the reach and impact of the Health Sciences Center
• Elevating UNM's visibility and reputation through athletics, academic and research excellence, strategic communications and marketing, and community engagement
• Fostering transparent, inclusive decision-making and operational excellence across a complex, statewide institution

How to apply or submit nominations

Candidate recruitment and screening will be conducted by the search firm in January and February of 2026. Visit the presidential search website for the full search timeline.

Confidential applications, inquiries and nominations should be submitted through Isaacson, Miller at: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-new-mexico/president

For updates and information about the presidential search process, visit: https://presidentialsearch.unm.edu

Pursuant to New Mexico law and UNM Board of Regents policy, the Board will select and publicly announce at least five finalists who will be invited to campus for interviews, in Spring 2026.