Academic Dean
Chief Academic Officer/Dean of Instruction
Introduction
The University of New Mexico – Taos (UNM–Taos), one of four branch campuses of the state’s flagship university, seeks a visionary and collaborative chief academic officer to serve as its next Academic Dean. Located in the culturally rich and naturally stunning community of Taos, New Mexico, UNM–Taos is recognized for its commitment to student success, equity, and community partnerships.
The Academic Dean will join a strong leadership team under Chancellor Dr. Mary Gutierrez, serving a diverse, rural student population. This is an opportunity to lead academic programs that combine the intellectual and cultural assets of northern New Mexico with innovative approaches to student learning, workforce development, and transfer pathways.
About UNM–Taos
Founded as a branch campus in 1994, UNM–Taos now serves more than 1,300 students and community learners annually. As part of The University of New Mexico system — an R1, Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) — the campus reflects the tri-cultural heritage of its region, with Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo traditions shaping the educational experience.
UNM–Taos offers a wide array of associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways. Some of these programs include health sciences, liberal arts , STEM, teacher pathways, and career and technical education. Programs in construction technology, CDL, fiber optics, nursing, medical assisting, and film and digital media are closely aligned with regional workforce needs. Through its Caminos de la Cumbre (Guided Pathways) initiative, UNM–Taos has restructured advising and program maps to support persistence, completion, and transfer. UNM-Taos has strong adult education and high school completion programming through the Taos Education and Career Center (TECC).
The campus is embedded in the community through partnerships with Taos Pueblo, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, Holy Cross Hospital, regional municipalities, and local school districts. These relationships ensure that UNM–Taos is both responsive to regional needs and a driver of innovation and opportunity.
The Role of the Academic Dean
Reporting to the Chancellor, the Academic Dean provides leadership for non-credit and credit-bearing academic and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and faculty. This includes curriculum development, program review, assessment, accreditation, and academic policy, ensuring alignment with UNM’s standards and the Higher Learning Commission. The Academic Dean works closely with a strong team of department chairs, faculty, and staff to strengthen teaching and learning, support faculty development, and create pathways that prepare students for both transfer and immediate employment.
Reporting to the dean are the library, an Associate Dean who leads advising, testing, and the Center for Academic Success and Achievement (CASA), a director of the dual credit program, which enrolls 400+ students a semester, a manager responsible for community outreach, workforce development and supporting CTE relationships, the Office of Educational Technology, TECC our adult education center and UNM-Taos Kids Campus, an early childcare center that serves the Taos community and also acts as a learning lab for Early Childhood Education program students. The Dean also plays a central role in pursuing grants, building partnerships with employers, community organizations, and other educational institutions, and advancing the college’s role as an engine of regional workforce and economic development.
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Key Opportunities and Challenges
The next Academic Dean will join UNM–Taos, a dynamic community college within The University of New Mexico system, at a pivotal moment. Building on strong momentum in student success, academic quality, workforce development, and community partnerships, the Dean will play a central role in shaping the college’s next phase of growth and transformation.
- Champion Student Success and Belonging
Drive evidence-based initiatives that strengthen persistence, retention, and completion. Foster inclusive teaching and learning environments that support belonging, access, and success for all students, particularly those from historically underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds.
- Advance Academic Innovation
Guide curriculum development that integrates contextualized learning and querencia — a deep sense of place and belonging. Support faculty in embedding high-impact and experiential practices, and in innovating across in-person, hybrid, and online modalities.
- Strengthen Workforce and Transfer Pathways
Expand and align programs in high-demand fields such as healthcare, construction, fiber optics, microgrid technology, and film/digital media. Strengthen seamless transfer partnerships with UNM–Albuquerque and other four-year institutions while deepening connections with local and regional employers.
- Support Faculty Development and Leadership
Invest in faculty mentoring, professional development, and leadership opportunities. Foster a caring, collaborative, and inclusive academic culture that values innovation and shared governance.
- Integrate Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Shape a unifying vision for academic quality and student learning. Oversee assessment and program review processes that guide data-informed decision-making and strategic priorities and position UNM–Taos as a model of community-engaged excellence in higher education.
Qualifications and Characteristics
Required
A terminal degree in an academic discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
Five years of progressive academic leadership experience in higher education (e.g., department chair, associate dean, dean, or equivalent).
Preferred
- Demonstrated experience with faculty supervision, innovation, curriculum development, and advancing equitable student outcomes.
- Evidence of successful leadership at a community college.
- Strong record of teaching, scholarship, and/or service.
- Successful implementation of Guided Pathways framework.
- Experience using data to inform and achieve student success.
- Ability to engage collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
- Experience managing budgets, including federal grants.
- A demonstrated commitment to UNM-Taos’s mission including serving the local community, contributing to workforce development, dual credit, adult education, and transfer.
- Ability navigate, communicate, guide, and advocate for the branch within the larger UNM system.
- Demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university’s mission to serve local and global communities.
About Taos and Northern New Mexico
Taos is renowned for its history, culture, and natural beauty. The region reflects over a millennium of Native American presence, centuries of Hispanic settlement, and generations of Anglo cultural and artistic contributions. The town is home to Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and has long drawn artists, writers, and adventurers.
Residents and visitors enjoy world-class skiing, hiking, and outdoor recreation, as well as a vibrant arts scene, local festivals, and strong community life. The surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Rio Grande Gorge, and wide-open landscapes create a breathtaking backdrop for learning and living.
Taos offers a welcoming environment for individuals and families seeking a blend of cultural richness, community engagement, and access to the outdoors.
Compensation and Benefits
UNM–Taos offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, along with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement and healthcare plans, tuition remission, and professional development support.
Application Process
Priority deadline: January 5, 2026
