UNM Law School is No. 1
UNM is ranked first among law schools in the September issue of Hispanic Business magazine. The magazine features top 10 lists or “best schools” in law, business, engineering and medicine. The ranking is for schools that promote and encourage “a diverse community where Hispanic students can thrive,” according to a release issued by the magazine.
Other UNM schools made the list, as well. The School of Engineering is ranked fifth and the School of Medicine sixth.
“Efforts at the University of New Mexico to reflect the diversity of the state are well-represented by Hispanic Business Magazine’s rankings. Our schools and colleges have a proven record of recruiting and graduating Hispanics and other minority lawyers, doctors and engineers. We strive to have our faculty and administration also reflect the peoples of New Mexico,” said UNM President David J. Schmidly.
And, as he wrote in his weekly message to the university community, “UNM is ranked above some fine institutions, like MIT and Johns Hopkins, so we ought to be very proud.”
Mike Norwood, associate dean for academic affairs, UNM School of Law, said, “We are honored and excited about being ranked first. We have a diverse study body and faculty, including many Hispanics. We are proud that we have created a welcoming, student-centered environment where faculty are readily accessible,” he said.
“Many of our graduates are now in leadership positions, including those on the New Mexico Supreme Court, the New Mexico Legislature, in judgeships, prosecutorial and defense attorney positions,” he said.
Joseph Cecchi, dean, UNM School of Engineering, said, “Diversity is the foundation in creativity in engineering. It is a great honor for the UNM School of Engineering to be recognized by Hispanic Business Magazine.”
Dr. Paul Roth, UNM executive vice president for Health Sciences, and dean of the UNM School of Medicine, said, “I am delighted that once again the UNM School of Medicine has been ranked by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top 10 medical schools for Hispanics in the country. The ranking is evidence of the effort we have put into meeting the needs of the state’s diverse population, training the next generation of healthcare professionals, and our continuing commitment to serving the people of New Mexico.”
Last year UNM was awarded a five-year, $2.8 million Title V grant to enhance support services for Hispanic students. UNM Valencia campus received nearly $2.5 million, also over five years. The United States Department of Education awards the grants under the Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) program.
HSIs are non-profit institutions with at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent enrollment. In fall 2005, roughly 30 percent of UNM’s student body was Hispanic.
The goal of the grant is to continue to improve retention and graduation rates for Hispanic students. UNM will receive approximately $550,000 per year during the funding cycle. The grant can continue beyond 2011 if the university meets certain requirements and it is so deemed by the U.S. Department of Education.