The University of New Mexico (UNM) announced that President Garnett S. Stokes will retire in July 2026 after eight years in the role. Stokes, who became the university’s first woman president in March 2018, will remain in office through a six-month contract extension approved by the UNM Board of Regents to support leadership continuity during the transition.
Stokes’ tenure has included several initiatives aimed at shaping the university’s direction and impact. She launched “UNM 2040: Opportunity Defined,” a strategic framework guiding campus development, teaching, research, and economic missions. Under her leadership, UNM introduced the Grand Challenges Initiative in 2019, focusing on issues such as sustainable water resources, artificial intelligence, substance use disorders, and child health. This initiative leveraged an initial investment of $2.25 million into more than $100 million in grants and awards.
Enrollment figures have shown growth under Stokes’ administration, with four consecutive years of rising total student enrollment and six years of increasing first-year student registrations. The university also enhanced support for student services and academic advising.
In research, UNM expanded collaborations across various fields including health sciences and quantum science, reinforcing its Carnegie R1 status for research activity. The university has developed partnerships with state agencies and industry to accelerate technology commercialization and open career pathways for students. The South Campus Tax Increment Development District (TIDD) is intended to promote long-term economic growth around UNM’s sports and innovation corridor. Proposals are also being evaluated to increase UNM’s presence in downtown Albuquerque.
Healthcare initiatives include construction of a new Critical Care Tower at UNM Hospital set to open this fall, which will add ICU capacity and create space for over 1,000 new staff members. Facility upgrades have been made for nursing, pharmacy, public health programs, and other clinics to help meet healthcare needs across New Mexico.
Athletics saw investments in facilities and leadership changes designed to restore pride and accountability within Lobo sports programs.
Physical improvements on campus during Stokes’ presidency include completion or ongoing work on multiple buildings such as the Center for Collaborative Arts & Technology, a new Humanities facility, revitalized Duck Pond area, police headquarters, science centers, welcome center, upgraded residence halls, lighting improvements and increased pedestrian access.
Paul Blanchard, chair of the UNM Board of Regents said: “On behalf of the Board of Regents and the UNM community, we extend our deep gratitude to President Garnett S. Stokes for her visionary stewardship and steadfast commitment to the University. Her work has advanced UNM as a national leader in research, student success, and as a partner and major driver of economic development for communities across our state, including expansion and modernization of treatment facilities for UNM Health Sciences.”
He added: “As we look to the future, the Board is committed to conducting a robust search for the next president while we continue to have the benefit of President Stokes’ leadership.”
Looking ahead before her retirement next year—plans include further expanding workforce development pipelines in healthcare with an aim to double medical school graduates; investing in interdisciplinary research facilities; fostering collaborations with national laboratories; advancing research areas such as quantum computing; supporting entrepreneurship through Rainforest Innovations; and aligning academic excellence with statewide needs via continued work on UNM 2040 priorities.
President Stokes will continue overseeing these efforts until she steps down from her position in July 2026.
