Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning

The University of New Mexico

Search for the Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning

Albuquerque, NM

The University of New Mexico (UNM), the state’s flagship institution, seeks an experienced, visionary, and creative academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P). The Dean will be joining UNM at an exciting and pivotal time as President Garnett S. Stokes, Provost James Paul Holloway and a team of new and established leaders set it on a course for even greater achievement and impact. The School plays a crucial role in New Mexico: it offers the state’s only professional degrees in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Community and Regional Planning.

UNM provides post-secondary education to nearly 33,000 students, more than 80 percent of whom are New Mexico residents. The University has one of the most diverse student bodies of any flagship university in the nation, and is one of only a handful of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in the U.S. that has a Carnegie Classification of Highest Research Activity (“R1”). The student population reflects the ethnically diverse population of New Mexico and includes historically underrepresented groups, including a Hispanic student population of over 40%, some of whom are descendants of Spanish/Mexican settlers with deep roots in the region, while others are recent immigrants (primarily Mexican) from a variety of nations in Latin America, about 5% Native American students from the state’s indigenous tribes; 3% Asian; 2% Black 2% multi-racial; and 1% international. The University also has a large economic impact on the state, serving as one of the state’s largest employers and the largest producer of skilled labor, and operating one of the state’s largest health care systems.

Located in a region with a rich history and extraordinary cultural, ecological, and economic diversity, the School has distinguished itself by developing academic programs that reflect, respond to, and are enriched by its physical and social characteristics, including its hallmark socially-conscious community engagement work. Despite being the smallest School or College on UNM’s campus, the School has a tremendous amount of influence and impact on the culturally rich and amazingly diverse state. The School seeks a visionary Dean who can work closely with the School’s community to leverage its many strengths in charting a new vision for the future that promotes academic excellence; celebrates and deepens its partnerships across the University, state, and beyond; celebrates the School’s story and impact; fosters new revenue; helps the institution climb in prominence; and ensures an accessible, equitable, and quality education for its diverse student body that prepares them well for their professions. New Mexico’s geographic diversity—its urban epicenters, suburban and rural communities, and Indigenous nations; the state’s borderland status, and its proximity to Latin America—both informs the School’s education and practices and presents incredible opportunities for partnership. In order to lead the School to new levels of achievement, the Dean will address the following opportunities and challenges:

  • Develop a cohesive vision for the School to increase its prominence;
  • Serve as a visible spokesperson for the School across the University, New Mexico, and beyond while encouraging new innovative and impactful partnerships;
  • Foster student success by providing the support structure and tools necessary to be successful;
  • Provide a more collaborative and supportive environment for faculty and staff; and
  • Creatively steward the School’s resources while cultivating and developing new revenue streams.

UNM has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please see the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: www.imsearch.com/7239. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Lindsay Gold and Brett Barbour

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

UNM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.