About President Schmidly

Dr. David J. Schmidly was installed as the 20th President of The University of New Mexico on October 7, 2007.  As President, he is responsible for UNM campuses in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos, Valencia, and Rio Rancho as well as at the UNM Health Sciences Center, which includes the nationally renowned UNM Cancer Center.

President Schmidly brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to UNM having led Oklahoma State University as its system CEO and President from 2002 to 2007.  In addition to his work at OSU, he was previously the President of Texas Tech University after having served as vice president for research, graduate studies, and technology transfer, and as dean of the graduate school.  He also spent 25 years at Texas A&M University, including five years as CEO of the Galveston campus and six years as head of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

During his tenure here, UNM has seen major growth in the incoming freshman class and significant accomplishments in the recruitment of National Merit and National Hispanic Scholars.  As well, the University has seen a renewed sense of purpose surrounding undergraduate and graduate education, diversity, research, creating healthy New Mexico communities, as well as economic and community development.  In recognition of his commitment to diversity and as a recognition of UNM’s leading role as a Hispanic Serving Institution, President Schmidly was inducted as a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) governing board in 2008.

President Schmidly is an internationally respected researcher and scientific author and has been inducted into the Texas Hall of Fame for Science, Mathematics, and Technology, which recognizes individuals who have played a major role in significant scientific accomplishments.  As a noted scientific naturalist, he has authored nine natural history and conservation books about mammals and more than 100 scientific articles. 

David Schmidly earned a Ph.D. in zoology from the University of Illinois, following a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas Tech.  He is a native of Levelland, Texas.  He and his wife, Janet, have two grown children and three grandchildren.