The University of New Mexico Board of Regents announced on May 15 the unanimous selection of Steve Goldstein as the university’s 24th president. Goldstein will take over from President Garnett S. Stokes, who is set to retire in July after more than eight years leading the institution.
The appointment follows an extensive search process that involved a Presidential Search Advisory Committee made up of faculty, students, staff, and alumni. The committee gathered input through campus-wide listening sessions and meetings with community leaders to help identify opportunities and challenges for the next president.
Finalists for the position participated in forums and public engagement sessions before meeting with the board for interviews. In a statement, the Board said, “The Board of Regents is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Steve Goldstein as the 24th president of The University of New Mexico. We are extremely proud of how this search was conducted, and the input we heard from faculty, staff, students and community members was critical to the Board’s decision-making process. Dr. Goldstein brings the academic leadership, the strategic vision, and the deep commitment that this university and this state deserve. We are confident that under Dr. Goldstein’s leadership, UNM will continue building on the university’s incredible momentum in healthcare, academic research, student success, and Lobo athletics.”
Outgoing President Garnett Stokes said: “I am delighted to welcome Steve Goldstein to the Lobo family. He inherits a university that is stronger, more innovative and more consequential to the people of New Mexico than ever before, and I have every confidence that he will build on that momentum in ways that will continue to benefit our students and our state for years to come.” In response to his appointment, Goldstein said: “It is a profound honor to be invited to serve as the next president of The University of New Mexico… Building on the strong foundation that has been laid by outgoing President Stokes and her predecessors, I look forward to joining this community and to all we will accomplish together.”
Goldstein currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at University of California Irvine (UCI), where he oversees a $5.5 billion academic health enterprise serving over five million people annually across education, research projects—where funding increased by 72 percent—and clinical care expansion efforts during his tenure at UCI.
According to the official website, The University of New Mexico enrolled more than 24,000 students across its main campus in spring 2023; it boasts over 200,000 alumni worldwide including fellows in national academies; its athletics program—the Lobos—competes in Mountain West Conference events; it serves as a cultural resource through libraries museums galleries performance spaces; features Pueblo Revival architecture within a metropolitan area; has been ranked among top public schools nationally including recognition for primary care medical schools diversity initiatives.
Goldstein holds degrees from Brandeis University (B.A./M.A.) as well as an M.D./Ph.D from Harvard University with career-long experience spanning Yale University Chicago Loyola Brandeis along with ongoing NIH-funded biomedical research contributions.
