After serving as president of the University of New Mexico for eight years, Garnett Stokes will be retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year. She announced her retirement in an email to the campus community on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Stokes is the 23rd president of UNM since the University’s founding in 1889. She is the first female president of the University in its 136-year history.
Stokes assumed the role on March 1, 2018, after previously serving as provost, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs and Interim Chancellor at the University of Missouri along with positions as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and interim president at Florida State University.
“After several wonderful decades of service in higher education leadership, it soon will be time for me to step away and begin a new chapter in my life with my husband, Jeff, who has served as my partner throughout this leadership journey. I have informed the Board of Regents that the 2025-26 academic year will be my last serving as your President,” Stokes wrote in her announcement.
Paul Blanchard, chair of the UNM Board of Regents, released a statement praising Stokes for her visionary stewardship and 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,” Blanchard’s statement reads.
The Board of Regents will conduct the search for the next University President.
“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,” Blanchard wrote.
Stokes paved the way to UNM’s continued success, UNM Regent Christina Campos wrote in a statement to the Daily Lobo.
“I first met President Stokes when she came out to Santa Rosa to visit my hospital and community. No other UNM president has ever done that. It illustrated her understanding and commitment to UNM being the University of all New Mexico, both urban and rural. That was about 7 years ago and I have since continued to be impressed with her leadership of my alma mater. I'm sad to see her leave, especially so early in my tenure as Regent. However, I'm happy for her and appreciate that she's helping ensure a smooth selection and transition process over the next eight months,” Campos wrote.
During her first year as President, Stokes went on a statewide listening tour, in which she visited all of New Mexico’s 33 counties to meet and converse with community members, students, researchers and alumni.
Stokes oversaw many changes to the University during her tenure. She launched UNM’s Grand Challenges Initiative in 2019 and UNM 2040 — the University’s 20-year vision encompassing teaching, research, healthcare and economic missions. Stokes oversaw four consecutive years of student enrollment growth and six years in a row of first-year student enrollment rising.
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The University underwent architectural changes under her leadership as well. The Critical Care Tower at UNM Hospital, the Center for Collaborative Arts and Technology, a new Humanities facility and a UNM Police Department Headquarters are all projects currently underway. A new Physics and Astronomy and Interdisciplinary Science Center, the Lobo Welcome Center and the revitalized Duck Pond are some of the campus projects completed during Stokes’ tenure.
Stokes’ retirement marks the largest change in a University administration that has faced many transformations over the past two years, starting with the hiring of Vice President and Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo, and including a new University General Counsel, Honors College dean, vice provost for faculty affairs, Graduate Studies dean, University College dean, Anderson School of Management dean and executive director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
There is a search for a provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, which is a position currently filled by Barbara Rodriguez on an interim basis.
“It has been an honor to serve as your President. I’m grateful to the Board of Regents and the UNM community for their continued support. No matter where my journey into retirement takes me, I will always be a Lobo!” Stokes wrote.
Jaden McKelvey-Francis is the editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on X @jadenmckelvey
