The University of New Mexico is seeking state funding for a slate of capital projects to expand workforce training, improve healthcare education, and modernize academic and research facilities.
UNM presented its priorities Friday during the New Mexico Higher Education Department’s annual Capital Outlay Summer Hearings. Public colleges and universities seek funding for major construction and infrastructure projects during the hearing. Under the proposals, university officials intend to expand educational opportunities, strengthen healthcare training and research, and support the state’s workforce and economic development.
“Preparing for the hearings is an institution-wide effort,” Shawna Wolfe, UNM’s vice president for Campus Environments and Services, said in a statement. “Bringing together priorities from across our campuses, disciplines and administrative units allowed us to present a unified capital strategy that reflects our shared commitment to serving students, strengthening New Mexico’s workforce and making strategic investments that will benefit our state for generations to come.”
UNM President Steve Goldstein said the university organized its requests around three priorities outlined in the UNM 2040 Strategic Framework: workforce capacity expansion, student life experience, and clinical access and technology.
Goldstein said the university views infrastructure investments as more than construction projects, describing them as essential to supporting education, research, healthcare and public service.
The Higher Education Major Projects Fund, which finances significant capital improvements at New Mexico’s public colleges and universities, has to evaluate the proposals. The hearings help shape funding recommendations for the state Legislature and the executive branch.
UNM’s top request is to modernize the aging science, mathematics, technology, and engineering facilities. The university said its STEM infrastructure comprises 250,000 square feet of laboratory and instructional space to accommodate burgeoning enrollment, research, and technologies.
The university also seeks supplemental funding to complete the Humanities and Social Sciences Complex. It will replace older buildings with an energy-efficient academic facility, such as updated classrooms, research laboratories, collaborative learning spaces, and offices for multiple academic departments.
Phase II of the Taos Workforce Center at the Klauer Campus is also on the priority list. UNM said it would expand workforce education and job training opportunities in northern New Mexico.
Goldstein said the proposed projects will address the need to prepare more students for careers in healthcare, engineering, education, clean energy, water resources, the arts and other fields.
The university also proposed several Health Sciences projects, which will address the state’s shortage of healthcare professionals. These projects include expanding the Allied Health Foundational Sciences and Anatomy Center, creating an Integrated Student Success Center to consolidate counseling and student support services for the School of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Nursing and College of Population Health.
UNM also seeks funding in technology to support artificial intelligence, advanced research, simulation training and telehealth. University officials said these initiatives would improve healthcare education and patient care across New Mexico.
This year’s presentation focused mainly on workforce development and healthcare. But Goldstein said student life projects remain part of the university’s long-term capital strategy. He said the proposals will be discussed during a future hearing.
