About Us

Our mission is to provide high-quality education that empowers students to achieve their personal and professional goals. We offer opportunities for discovery, financial assistance, flexible schedules, and the support students need for academic success.

UNM-Taos plays an important role in the regional economy—by developing a skilled workforce, in partnership with local employers. Students can gain the knowledge they need to work in the trades and traditions that keep our local community thriving.

With small class sizes and hands-on instruction, students learn from a highly qualified and fully engaged faculty. And with a menu of support services, students are assisted every step of the way.

Classrooms are located on the Civic Plaza campus in downtown Taos, and on the Klauer Campus in Ranchos de Taos. The college offers hiking trails, a public library, and a preschool—and partners with local schools and pueblos.

UNM-Taos is a branch campus of The University of New Mexico—based in Albuquerque. Other branch campuses are located in Gallup, Los Alamos, and Valencia.

Vision Statement

Empowering Northern New Mexican communities to honor our diverse cultures and ensure a sustainable future.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide high-quality education to transform students’ educational journeys. We empower our students to imagine possibilities, cultivate knowledge, and achieve personal and economic well-being. UNM-Taos strengthens the regional economy by developing a skilled workforce in partnership with local employers. Our committed faculty and staff honor student stories, a weaving together of family, tradition, and heritage.

Our Values

Servingness

We value our students’ unique journeys and connect them to resources and people that support them to imagine futures, pursue careers, and further strengthen the fabric of their communities.

Excellence

We value excellence in all of our work, and we strive to perform and achieve at the highest levels.

Inclusion

We respect and celebrate the differences of all persons and value working in a collaborative environment where diversity is cherished and there is a shared sense of belonging.

Environment

We are dedicated to the protection of our planet to ensure the health, well-being, and success of future generations.

Integrity

We value fairness, honesty, and transparency. We are good stewards of the resources that have been given to us.

Place

We are dedicated to the peoples and places of New Mexico even as we reach for global impact for the benefit of all humanity.

Our Goals

Advance New Mexico: Trusted Provider of Education and Workforce Development

Support and empower our campus community to collaborate and access available resources to provide educational pathways and skill development that meet the needs of employers and individuals in our region. Enhance and grow program offerings by developing new partnerships, strengthening existing partnerships, and facilitating connections among our partners, students, faculty, and staff.

Student Experience and Educational Innovation: Inclusive and Empowering Learning Experiences

Create an inclusive, empowering environment where every student receives a high-quality education. Leverage resources to ensure equitable access, cultivate a sense of belonging, and develop clear pathways for students to explore, grow, and navigate their journey toward careers.

Inclusive Excellence: Cultural Respect and Community Engagement

Honor and celebrate our diverse heritage by fostering understanding and pride in our community’s cultural identities. Create learning grounded in and relevant to our students through culturally responsive pedagogy, programming, internships, and collaborative initiatives.

Sustainability: Sustainable Community Development, Stewardship, and Wellness

Foster partnerships with businesses, government, and organizations to diversify regional industries. Develop flexible, responsive initiatives that prioritize campus wellness, strengthen regional relations, and promote environmental stewardship and resource management for a resilient Northern New Mexico.

One University: Expanding UNM’s Collaborative Reach

Inspire synergistic collaboration with UNM partners across academic, career, and service departments, integrating diverse student and campus community voices to build accountability and transparency in our efforts. Enhance and expand program offerings, facilities, and resources to remain responsive to the evolving needs of learners and community partners.

About Taos

Taos is a close-knit community with a storied past and an ever-hopeful outlook on the future. The lands surrounding Taos Mountain have been inhabited for over a thousand years—beginning with Native Americans, and then the Spanish and English settlers.

The region is known for its natural splendor, including dramatic river canyons, immense dark skies, and rugged high desert landscapes. Taos also offers an off-beat vibe found in its unique music, food, art, and architecture.

Taos is home to historic pueblos and world-class art museums—while also leading the nation in solar energy solutions. It is a place that honors its past through cherished traditions and innovates for a new and equitable future.