The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu

November 17, 2006

UNM-Los Alamos Executive Director Carlos Ramirez Announces Retirement
Branch leader to step down Aug. 1, 2007

Carlos Ramirez, executive director of the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos branch campus, has announced his retirement effective Aug. 1, 2007. Ramirez, who started at UNM-LA in January 1989, has been the executive director for 17 of the branch's 25 years. A search for his successor will begin immediately.

“Dr. Ramirez has had a tremendous impact on the development of UNM-Los Alamos,” said UNM Deputy Provost Richard Holder. “His departure leaves behind a vibrant campus well-prepared and ready for its next steps in providing higher education to the community.”

”I believe that my long tenure has brought about many positive changes to this institution for the benefit of the students and communities that we serve,” said Ramirez in announcing his retirement. “I have enjoyed working with the advisory board, the leaders in Los Alamos and surrounding communities, and the faculty, staff and students.

“I am especially proud of our students' success and hope that the many initiatives that have been instituted under my administration will continue and positively affect future students at UNM-LA.”

From 1972-1989, Ramirez held several academic positions in California including Moorpark College, Ventura College, Oxnard College and City College of San Francisco where he served as president for five years. In 1989, Ramirez, who is originally from Santa Fe, returned to New Mexico to serve as executive director of UNM-Los Alamos.

Ramirez has helped to expand the facilities, programs and services of the institution to meet the needs of a diverse student body. UNM-Los Alamos is now designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution and draws students from throughout north central New Mexico.

Some of Ramirez' many accomplishments during his tenure at UNM-LA include successfully securing the donation of 64 apartments valued in excess of $1 million from the Department of Energy. The apartments were renovated and now serve as UNM-LA student housing. Major new and/or renovated facilities were also added to the campus under Ramirez including a Student Service Center building that was constructed after the successful passage of local and statewide General Obligation Bonds, and the Learning Resource Center constructed with state and local funds.

Ramirez has also been instrumental in extending instructional programs and services to the following communities in Sandoval County: Bernalillo, Cuba, Jemez Springs, Jemez Pueblo, Sandia, San Felipe Pueblo and Santa Ana Pueblo. With the support of his faculty and staff, enrollment has reached an all time high following a decline in enrollment as a result of the devastating Cerro Grande fire in 2000.

Under Ramirez, UNM-LA has a reputation for small class sizes, an excellent faculty, and great support staff. Through efficient use of resources, he has been successful in adding new instructional programs and services to the campus including: the Electro-Mechanical Student Training Program, Southwest Studies, Material Science Technology, Digital Media Arts, the New Beginnings Program, a one-stop Career Resource Center and two small business development centers in Los Alamos and Sandoval counties.

Through the assistance of the UNM-LA Foundation Development Committee, he has also established several endowment scholarship funds and two successful annual fundraising events. Ramirez is currently active in a number of local and regional organizations and has been a strong advocate for economic development in north central New Mexico.

Ramirez received his doctorate of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of California in Santa Barbara in 1979, and his Master of Arts in Political Science from UNM in 1969.

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