Building the future: UNM to break ground on state-of-the-art Humanities facility

In the heart of the Albuquerque campus, The University of New Mexico will begin construction on the new Humanities & Social Sciences building on Thursday, Oct. 22, on the site of the previous Humanities facility.

The estimated $130.5 million project is the culmination of academic, space, facility, and capital planning that began in 2020. An initial assessment determined that the more than 50-year-old Humanities building had reached the end of its useful life. Opportunities were identified to bring together academic programs, improve space utilization, and support evolving teaching and learning needs with the construction of a modern, welcoming facility, with spaces that encourage collaboration and informal interaction among students and faculty.

Planning began for a new facility in 2022, with needs assessments, requests for funding, and academic programming to assess the new building's scope. The project's physical work began in July 2025, with the demolition of the original Humanities building and expansion of utilities and infrastructure. Design is currently being finalized, headed by Studio Tsien of New York and SMPC of Albuquerque.

Funding sources include $52 million from General Obligation Bond 3, which was approved by voters on Nov. 5, 2024, and $40 million from Severance Tax Bonds with another $2M of General Fund support contributing to the demolition of the old Humanities facility. UNM is contributing 20% of the facility replacement costs.

"The humanities and social sciences are fundamental to a university education. They help students develop critical thinking, communication skills, cultural understanding, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for meaningful careers and engaged lives," said UNM Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodriguez. "This new facility reflects our commitment to the importance of these disciplines and creates opportunities for students and faculty to connect ideas across fields of study. It is an investment not simply in a building, but in the academic experience we want every UNM student to have."

The new building will house eight academic units that will serve nearly all new freshmen at UNM as they complete the core Humanities classes required for most degrees. The space will be open to the public, and designed to support all students across the University, while housing dynamic learning spaces and technology-integrated classrooms. Shared spaces will support student collaboration, cultural programming, and community engagement.

Additional information about the new facility and its features can be found on the College of Arts & Sciences website.

"The new Humanities & Social Sciences Building will be a gathering place for the thousands of UNM students who take humanities and social sciences courses each semester. In addition to enhancing the education of nearly every Lobo, the new building will host events for the broader New Mexico community," said Jennifer Malat, dean of the UNM College of Arts and Sciences. "I'm excited that the UNM and New Mexico communities are coming together for the groundbreaking, just as we will when it is complete."

The College of Arts & Sciences has set a fundraising goal of $10 million to support additional elements of the project and invites anyone who has benefited from a humanities education to donate and help educate future generations of Lobos.

"The Humanities and Social Sciences facility reflects a significant, long-term investment in UNM's academic mission and the future of our campus," said Teresa Costantinidis, executive vice president of UNM Finance & Administration. "Projects of this scale require years of planning, coordination, and partnership to align academic priorities, infrastructure needs, and available funding. We are grateful for the support of the State of New Mexico and its voters in helping us advance a facility that will benefit generations of students while strengthening how we use and invest in our campus resources."

Construction is estimated to take approximately 2.5 years, with teaching and research operations expected to begin in 2029 upon completion and opening. Updates on work can be found on the UNM Facilities Design & Construction website, and impacts from the construction will be shared via the UNM Interactive Campus map. Fenced access to the site will be maintained throughout work for contractors and workers, with accessible pathways available for the UNM community.

"This project is an opportunity to honor UNM's history while reimagining how our campus spaces can support teaching, learning, and collaboration for generations to come," said Shawna Wolfe, vice president for UNM Campus Environments and Services. "We are creating a more connected and effective campus environment while being thoughtful stewards of the University and State's resources."

UNM will host the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Humanities building on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 3-4 p.m., at the construction site south of Zimmerman Library. The event will feature remarks from President Goldstein, Provost Rodriguez, Dean Malat and other honored guests, followed by traditional shovel turning and photos.