Julia Fulghum, a longtime faculty member and administrator at The University of New Mexico, will retire on June 30 after more than two decades at the institution, according to a March 30 announcement. Fulghum, who is best known for founding and directing the ADVANCE program at UNM since its inception in 2016, said she believes it is time for new leadership. Lisa Broidy, currently a distinguished professor and department chair in Sociology and Criminology, will assume the role on July 1.
Fulghum’s departure marks a significant transition for ADVANCE at UNM, which was established through a National Science Foundation grant aimed at increasing the participation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. Over the past decade, ADVANCE has become integrated into UNM’s Office of Academic Affairs and expanded its support services to faculty across all disciplines.
“Without a doubt, my proudest accomplishment has been ADVANCE,” Fulghum said. “We’ve moved the needle in a lot of ways.” She described how before ADVANCE there was no official faculty support system at UNM: “Now, most schools and colleges have associate deans for faculty. With ADVANCE, we helped to establish that expectation.”
Barbara Rodríguez, interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at UNM, praised Fulghum’s impact: “Julia Fulghum has given extraordinary service to The University of New Mexico. Her leadership of ADVANCE has helped build a stronger and more supportive faculty community, and her commitment to institutional transformation has touched the careers of many colleagues across campus. UNM is better because of her work.”
ADVANCE offers confidential advice on policies and career development; workshops on promotion processes; research support; writing groups; assistance with faculty searches; holistic health resources; humor newsletters; campus climate surveys; and more—all designed to foster community among faculty members.
The University of New Mexico enrolled over 24,000 students across its main campus and branches during spring 2023 according to its official website. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni worldwide—including fellows in national academies—and serves as an important cultural resource through libraries, museums, galleries, performance spaces while promoting diversity as reported by its official site. Its athletics program competes as the Lobos in the Mountain West Conference with notable venues like University Arena according to university information. The campus features Pueblo Revival architecture within a metropolitan setting as detailed by university sources.
UNM also ranks among top public schools nationally—16th for primary care medical schools and fifth most diverse medical school—according to U.S. News & World Report data cited by UNM.
Reflecting on her tenure with ADVANCE as she prepares for retirement activities such as photography or baking but plans continued part-time involvement supporting Broidy’s transition into leadership this summer. “Seeing faculty who began as assistant professors and now are taking on leadership roles themselves is incredibly gratifying,” Fulghum said.
