The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales 277-5920
cgonzal@unm.edu

August 8, 2006

UNM ARCHITECTURE PROGRAM RECEIVES SIX-YEAR ACCREDITATION

The National Architectural Accrediting Board announced recently that the master of architecture program in the UNM School of Architecture and Planning has been formally granted a six-year term of accreditation.

The next accreditation visit will be in 2012.

Geraldine Forbes Isais, director of the architecture program, said, “The six-year accreditation confirms that the program is solid and addresses the primary criteria for a professional master of architecture.”

Forbes came to UNM in August of 2005. Since her hire, Forbes, as well as faculty, staff and students in the School of Architecture and Planning, spent a great deal of time in preparation for the visit. In addition to writing a report, material had to be organized and displays of student work prepared.

Her focus now is moving the program from “very good to superior.”

She said that New Mexico has a long history in sustainability and that it is an area of strength for the school. “Emphasizing sustainability and community engagement, another area of strength, position the school nationally.”

“We have done the teaching. We are ready to move forward by conducting innovative research and community outreach and implementation. We have the faculty and students to do this,” she said.

Although Forbes said the six-year accreditation is fundamental, it does raise the visibility of the quality of the architecture program.

“Graduate students seeking a school will see UNM as an even better place to be,” she said.

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The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

www.unm.edu