UNM website redesign to provide users with a new digital experience

The University of New Mexico is reimagining its digital front door through a multiyear redesign of its homepage and web template now in the early stages of development. The project is designed to make UNM's web presence easier to navigate, more accessible and effective at connecting people with the information and resources they need to navigate UNM's various websites. An initial launch is planned for early 2027.

For prospective students and families, that means making it easier to discover information about academics, admissions, campus life and the Lobo experience. For current students, faculty and staff, the redesign will streamline pathways to frequently used information, tools and resources.

The project will also strengthen how UNM tells its story online, bringing greater consistency to the University's brand and helping visitors better understand the breadth of its academic programs, research, people and statewide impact.

But the project is about more than just giving unm.edu a new look. The UNM Homepage Redesign Project is taking a user-centered approach to rethink how the University presents itself online. Guided by data-driven insights, the redesign will improve the site's user interface, navigation and content to better meet user needs and tell the University's story, including an assessment of the current homepage, how visitors use it, where they encounter challenges and how UNM can better organize and present information. The end result will be an improved digital experience designed around the people who use it most.

Building accessibility into the foundation

Accessibility is a major component of the redesign. The new homepage and web template are being developed to better align with new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Instead of treating accessibility as something that is addressed after a website is built, the new system is designed to incorporate accessibility into the structure of UNM websites from the beginning.

Predeveloped layouts will provide structures that support screen readers and logical content organization. Updated color combinations will improve contrast and readability, while the content-management process will prompt site editors to provide important accessibility information such as alternative text for images.

"The goal is to make it easier for campus web editors to create accessible content, for people of all abilities to use UNM websites, and to increase the University's visibility," said Sarah Carsrud, assistant director of marketing for digital strategy.

One University, one digital experience

The redesign also supports UNM 2040 goals around One University and Inclusive Excellence by creating a more unified digital experience across the institution. A new web template will provide colleges, schools, departments and programs with a common foundation while still allowing individual units some flexibility in presenting their content.

The modular system will replace older, more rigid layouts with flexible content blocks that can be arranged to meet different needs. It will also provide a more consistent experience whether visitors access a UNM site from a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or phone.

Behind the scenes, the redesign will help UNM respond to another rapidly changing part of the digital landscape: how people find information. The new framework will strengthen traditional search engine optimization while also positioning UNM content for the growing role of AI-powered search and discovery.

A phased transition

The transition will happen gradually. The main UNM homepage and a small group of pilot sites will move to the new design first. From there, access will expand to departments and units in phases.

Because the new template represents a significant change in how UNM websites are constructed, existing sites will not simply be switched automatically to the new design. Units can rebuild their sites using the new framework, providing an opportunity to review, update and reorganize their content along the way.

To help campus web editors prepare, the web communications team is developing documentation, step-by-step guides and online training covering the new template and its content modules. The documentation and direct support will be available when the template rolls out to a wider audience and departments begin the migration process.

That phased approach will allow the project team to learn from early adopters, make adjustments and continue refining the interface as it expands across UNM.

The initial launch is planned for early 2027, but the evolution of UNM's digital presence will continue well beyond that date. Pages throughout unm.edu will be updated over time as the project progresses and the needs of the University and its audiences continue to evolve. Campus feedback is also an important part of the process, helping inform decisions throughout the redesign. Interested individuals can provide feedback here.

"Redesigning the UNM homepage gave us the opportunity to update the underlying web template used across most UNM websites," said Matt Carter, director, UNM web services. "The version 3 template will create a more consistent user experience and help us better meet digital accessibility standards. At the same time, we are improving how the code behind the scenes is structured so search engines and AI tools can more easily find and understand our content."

Ultimately, the goal is straightforward: create a web experience of UNM that is easier to navigate, more inclusive and accessible, more consistent across the University and better able to connect people with everything UNM has to offer.

For more information, visit UNM Homepage Redesign Project.