University of New Mexico School of Law Dean Camille Carey faced both protests and support over her leadership. UNM decided to keep her as dean.
On Monday, UNM Provost Barbara Rodriguez announced Carey’s reappointment as dean of the School of Law. The university reached the decision after carefully considering the matter and following its established policies and procedures. Carey’s reappointment takes effect July 1, 2027.
“The School of Law plays a vital role in preparing lawyers who serve communities throughout New Mexico,” said Rodriguez. “As Provost, I remain committed to working with Dean Carey and the entire School of Law community to strengthen the School, support its mission, and ensure it continues to serve the people of New Mexico with distinction. I am committed to supporting Dean Carey in advancing the School’s priorities while working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and our legal community partners to build on the School’s strengths.”
Carey, for her part, said she is honored by the opportunity to continue serving the UNM School of Law. “Our law school has a proud tradition of preparing lawyers who make a difference in communities across New Mexico, and I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and legal community partners as we build on that tradition,” she said.
About Dean Carey
Carey leads a law school with more than 30 faculty and approximately 300 students. Since becoming dean in 2022, Carey has overseen progress in fundraising, accreditation, budget management, and strategic planning. She has also expanded support for faculty, students, and alumni.
During her tenure, the School has raised nearly $22 million, including two consecutive record fundraising years. It also expanded scholarship opportunities, strengthened leadership and student support structures, and increased professional development resources for faculty and staff.
Before becoming dean in 2022, Carey served as vice dean and associate dean for Academic Affairs at the UNM School of Law. She joined UNM’s faculty in 2009. Since joining the faculty, Carey has taught Clinic, Torts, Advanced Torts, Civil Procedure, Immigrants’ Rights and Domestic Violence Law.
Debate over Carey’s Leadership
Last month, some UNM alumni and organizations urged UNM to remove Carey. The New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association and American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico joined the call. They cited declining local applications and the underrepresentation of Native students.
Critics argue nonresidents students make up one-third of the 2026 and 2027 classes, while Native American students remain underrepresented.
“Our state’s only law school is turning away its own people. This is not simply a debate about admissions metrics. This is a debate about values,” said Jessica Martinez, a UNM graduate.
Meanwhile, 2025-26 UNM School of Law Admissions Committee members sent a letter to President Stephen Goldstein and Provost Barbara Rodriguez. They said New Mexico applicants for the 2025 entering class had increased since 2011.
They said 23 of 296 students enrolled in 2025-26, or 7.77 percent, identified as American Indian or Alaska Native. The letter said that compares with 24 of 294 students in 2021-22, the school year before Carey took office.
The faculty said 36 students in the 2025-26 student body identify as Chicano, representing 12.16% of enrollment. They said that number has grown with each of the last three incoming classes.
