Administration

Chancellor

Dr. Mary Gutierrez is an equity-minded, transformative leader with expertise in leading strategic innovation and inspiring change in higher education institutions. In 2020, she was selected as one of 40 fellows nationwide to participate in an applied executive leadership program by the Aspen Institute and the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative.

Presently, the Chancellor also serves as a Governing Board Member of the Hardwood Museum of Art and a Board Member of the Higher Education Research and Development Institute.

A third-generation educator, she is an accomplished administrator with more than 25 years of higher education experience. From her earliest days as an educator, Dr. Gutierrez, who grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, formed her pedagogy with the belief that all students could be successful and that their success was her responsibility. She worked hard to remove barriers in her classroom and equipped herself with multiple ways to ensure that her classroom was inclusive and student-centered. She has worked on early college and middle college programs, advocating for faculty and instructors in community college settings. She has worked to address the multidimensional diversity of faculty and staff, and their preparation to work with a diverse student body.

Dr. Gutierrez earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Administration from San Francisco State University and her Master of Art and Bachelor of Art in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Strategic Plan

UNM-Taos initiated its strategic planning process in Spring 2023, aligning closely with UNM’s 2040 Opportunity Defined Framework. Led by the Chancellor and the Strategic Initiatives and Research Department, the process involved extensive engagement with campus and community partners using innovative methods.

UNM-Taos hosted multiple input sessions with staff, faculty, students, administrators, and diverse community partners. We leveraged approaches such as collective drawing and storytelling, as well as appreciative inquiry techniques, including Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results (SOAR) analyses.

The institution gathered rich insights that informed the development of a clearly articulated vision, mission, values, and goals, establishing a robust, collaborative roadmap guiding the college through 2030.

Leadership Statement

Leadership

We pledge to lead with unwavering dedication, respect, care, and teamwork. Leadership is a privilege dedicated to creating and sustaining a positive, caring, and enriching educational environment where learning, diversity, and community flourish. We are committed to fostering leadership at all levels and nurturing and empowering individuals’ leadership potential.

Excellence

We aspire to create an environment of excellence where all are inspired to pursue big, innovative ideas and support each other as a team to make those ideas a reality for our community.

Authenticity

We strive to provide authentic and ethical leadership, clear mission direction, and strategic guidance, communicating fairly and consistently, and celebrating victories as a united team.

Dedication

We are committed to serving our Lobo community, cherishing the principles of a caring campus by being humble, approachable, honest, and respectful so students, faculty, and staff can thrive to reach their full potential.

Administration Staff

Meeting Archives