University of New Mexico–Taos

Search for the Chancellor

Taos, New Mexico

The University of New Mexico (UNM), the state’s flagship institution, seeks an innovative and experienced leader to serve as the Chancellor of the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos). One of the four branch campuses of UNM, UNM-Taos is a comprehensive community college and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As the only institution of higher learning within a 50-mile radius, nestled between the Rio Grande and Taos Pueblo in the north-central region of New Mexico, UNM-Taos epitomizes a community college that is tightly connected to the unique rural, tri-cultural, historically-rich communities that it serves.

The last decade at UNM-Taos has seen transformative and remarkable growth. From a new STEM building to future construction of more classrooms; from the establishment of new programs such as Natural Resources Management to the growing reputation of Digital Media Arts; from a state-of-the-art, nationally-accredited nursing program to receipt of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to increase undergraduate success in math; founded on consistent collaboration with the community focused on scholarship, internship, and workforce development, UNM-Taos’ roots are spreading deeper and stronger every year. 

Today, UNM-Taos serves over 1,100 students from northern New Mexico, including the counties of Taos, Rio Arriba and Colfax, and the Pueblos of Taos and Picuris. The UNM-Taos student body is representative of its communities, with 52 percent Hispanic and 9 percent Native American enrollment in fall 2020, making it one of the most diverse student bodies in the state. The campus offers 28 associate degrees and career-technical certificate programs, preparing students to seamlessly transfer to four-year programs, enter the workforce, or gain new skills to change career paths. About 80 percent of UNM-Taos alumni remain in the area and provide valuable contributions to the region’s intellectual life, economy, cultural community, and primary industries including healthcare, tourism, and construction.

There is a great potential for UNM-Taos to have an even larger impact as an educational leader and a community anchor in the region by expanding opportunities and creating connections. The next Chancellor will join the campus and the UNM system at an exciting and pivotal time, as President Garnett S. Stokes, Provost James Paul Holloway, and a team of both new and established leaders are focused on a set of ambitious goals for UNM that will set the University and the branch campuses on a course for even greater achievement. This Chancellor will also have the opportunity to work closely with a cohesive and experienced campus leadership team, who are committed to improving access and student success and enthusiastically looking forward to the future and the potential that UNM-Taos holds, and with a community dedicated to the success of the region and the campus. The next Chancellor should be a forward-looking and collaborative leader, a visible and vocal advocate who will ensure that UNM-Taos continues to provide high-quality learning opportunities that transform the lives of the students, enrich the cultural life of the Town of Taos, and serve the economic needs of Taos County and the greater north-central New Mexico region.

Reporting to UNM’s Provost James Holloway, the Chancellor will serve both as the chief executive of UNM-Taos as well as a critical partner in the overall UNM system. Working closely with the leadership team, the faculty, the Taos Campus Advisory Board, other UNM branch campus Chancellors, and the larger Taos communities, the Chancellor is expected to address the following opportunities and challenges:

• Engage stakeholders in the development of a shared vision for UNM-Taos;
• Assess and grow the program offerings to align with community needs and industry demands;
• Sustain a cohesive, inclusive, and supportive environment that centers student success;
• Strategically manage and expand resources to advance a 21st-century community college; and
• Champion and extend the impact of UNM-Taos within the Taos community, across the UNM system, and the state.

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 completion of the search process. 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/7837. Electronic submission of materials is required.

Julie Filizetti and Phuong Ta

Isaacson, Miller

1000 Sansome Street, Suite 300

San Francisco, CA  94111

Phone: 415.655.4900

Fax: 415.655.4905

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.