It’s another three years for Garnett S. Stokes at the helm of The University. The Board of Regents unanimously voted to extend Stokes’ contract just before the New Year. Hers is an additional three-year term with an option for an additional two-year extension. Her annual compensation increased from $601,000 to $662,000.

Stokes was praised as a strong leader who has brought stability to the University. Regents President Doug Brown said feedback about Stokes, who came to UNM five years ago from the University of Missouri, was overwhelmingly positive.

“We are at a point where we have not been in almost 30 years at this university,” he said, “and are so pleased that we are doing so.”

While navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, Stokes led UNM through years of growth – a 32 percent increase in research funding, including more than $50 million in external funding for the University’s Grand Challenges; growth in the Consolidated Investment Fund and a record $125 million in private support in Fiscal Year 2021-2022; and increased enrollment and a significant increase in the diversity of incoming first-year students.

Stokes, using a catch-phrase that has become her signature, said, “I am encouraged that our Regents are inspired by the strong momentum we have at The University for New Mexico. I am looking forward to building on that energy to enrich the Lobo experience in the years to come, and it continues to be my great honor to serve as your president.”