Elizabeth Watkins, provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Riverside, outlined her vision for the University of New Mexico (UNM) during her visit to campus Monday as the first of five finalists for the university’s presidency. Watkins emphasized preserving UNM’s diverse student body while enhancing academic outcomes and strengthening workforce pipelines.

Watkins highlighted UNM’s status as New Mexico’s flagship research university, its diverse enrollment, its Division I athletics program, and its expanding health sciences campus as key draws. She expressed a goal to position UNM as a national leader demonstrating that inclusive access and research excellence can coexist.

Watkins noted similarities between UC Riverside and UNM, describing both as Hispanic-serving institutions with largely in-state, first-generation college student populations. She stressed common missions to promote inclusive pedagogy, workforce development, impactful research, and high-quality health care delivery.

Addressing concerns about academic freedom amid potential federal funding cuts, Watkins affirmed her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, pledging to support research regardless of federal approval. She stressed continuing these efforts intentionally despite political challenges.

With a background in health sciences, including 17 years at the University of California, San Francisco, Watkins brings extensive experience overseeing graduate programs and student affairs. She holds a doctorate from Harvard University in the history of science and has published research on reproductive health and pharmaceuticals.

UNM is currently expanding its health sciences programs, including plans to double the medical school’s enrollment and the recent opening of a critical care tower to address hospital overcrowding. Watkins said she would prioritize stronger connections between UNM’s main and health sciences campuses to facilitate broader access to healthcare career pathways.

Among the university’s pressing challenges, Watkins identified low retention and graduation rates. UNM loses roughly 25% of students after their freshman year, and only 55% graduate within six years. She proposed summer bridge programs and clearer career pathways to improve these metrics, emphasizing responsibility to both students and state employers in delivering well-prepared graduates.

Watkins also addressed the increasing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia, advocating for integrating AI skills into education rather than avoiding the issue.

Responding to questions about labor relations, Watkins said she would engage proactively with faculty and staff unions and explore creative solutions to ease the financial burdens on graduate student workers, citing programs she implemented at UCSF, such as relocation stipends and cost-of-living supplements.

If selected, Watkins would become UNM’s second female president, following Garnett Stokes, who is set to retire in July after leading the university since 2018. Watkins indicated plans to conduct a statewide listening tour to better understand and serve New Mexico’s diverse communities, a strategy mirroring Stokes’ approach early in her tenure.

The next presidential finalist, Ashwani Monga, is scheduled to visit campus Tuesday. The remaining candidates will meet with the university community in mid-May before the Board of Regents makes its selection.