UNM: Working for Economic Development in New Mexico

November 2001

This second edition of our Economic Development Report continues to look at the University of New Mexico's impact broadly, not simply in terms of the multiplier effect of out-of-state dollars. The University affects economic activity in the state by employing over 20,000 faculty, staff, and students and by spending millions of dollars each year on equipment, supplies, and other goods and services. However, the most important contributions UNM makes to the State of New Mexico are the students it educates (more than 4,000 of whom received degrees in the past year), the knowledge it creates, and the services it provides.

As indicated in the Mission Statement that is part of our Strategic Plan, we "provide students the values, habits of mind, knowledge, and skills that they need to be enlightened citizens…". Additionally, our "faculty, staff, and students provide services that enhance New Mexicans' quality of life, promote economic development, and advance our understanding of the world, its peoples, and cultures". By building on our "educational, research, and creative resources, the University provides services directly to the City and State, including health care, social services, policy studies, commercialization of inventions, and cultural events".

Everywhere you look in New Mexico, there is evidence of our success. Our graduates are leaders of government and industry. Our science and health programs are the backbone of our state and region's high tech, biomedical, and health industries. The founders of Zia Laser, one of the new spin-off companies in 2001, are affiliated with our Center for High Technology Materials. Our students, faculty, and staff are active and productive members of the community as evidenced by the number of activities, programs, and cultural and athletic events that enhance the quality of life in New Mexico. UNM is an important center for applied research. Our faculty and students provide technical expertise to businesses and consult with government agencies on issues such as economic policy. We also work closely with several organizations involved in attracting new business to the state.

We have updated many of the statistics in this report and have again highlighted several of the programs and activities in which UNM is engaged to promote the development of New Mexico's economy. The future well being of the state's economy will continue to depend on effective partnerships that involve state and local governments, the private sector, and the state's research universities. We hope that this report will help establish and foster new and existing partnerships in the 21st century.

William C. Gordon
President