UNM president Robert (Bob) Frank says he is coming back to a place he loves. Frank grew up in Las Cruces, attending UNM where he completed his Bachelors, Masters, and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology. He took office on June 1 as UNM’s 21st president. Frank intends to spend his first 120 days on the job learning how the elements that make up the university fit together, and how UNM fits into the community.
UNM President Bob Frank in his own words.
Who is UNM President Robert Frank?
Robert Frank, the new president at the University of New Mexico, talks about his background and what brought him back to lead the University of New Mexico. Frank also talks about his 120-day listening campaign to better understand the needs of the UNM community, and why that's so important.
UNM President Robert Frank discusses International Students
New University of New Mexico President Robert Frank discusses what he sees as UNM's hidden potential, the importance of attracting international students to the university.
Robert Frank on University House and his Return to UNM
New University of New Mexico Robert Frank talks about moving into the university's iconic University House, located in the heart of the UNM campus, and his experience returning to UNM.
Robert Frank and the Importance of Shared Governance
New UNM president Robert Frank talks about his views on shared governance at the University of New Mexico.
Frank comes to UNM from Kent State University where he was Provost from 2007 – 2012. He is the former dean of the College of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Florida, where he also served as a professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Psychology.
Frank's first appointment was at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, where he established the Division of Clinical Health Psychology and Neuropsychology. He was a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellow in 1991-92 and worked with Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico). After completing the fellowship, he returned to the University of Missouri where, as assistant to the dean for health policy, he continued to work on federal and state health policy. Frank continued to work with Senator Bingaman and managed Missouri's state health reform effort, the ShowMe Health Reform Initiative. In 2011, Frank was appointed by the United States Department of Defense to the Defense Health Board, a federal advisory committee to the Secretary of Defense.
Frank holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of New Mexico. He is a Diplomat in Clinical Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology, past president of the Division of Rehabilitation Psychology of the American Psychological Association and a Fellow in Rehabilitation Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Health Psychology. He formerly chaired the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, the Legislative Committee of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, and American Psychological Association's Committee on Professional Continuing Education (1997) and its Board of Educational Affairs (2000).
Frank says he wants to hear from members of the community. If you have thoughts to share about UNM’s assets and future direction please email him at newpres@unm.edu.
