University College is the administrative unit that includes the University College Advisement Center and the following interdisciplinary academic programs: University Honors Program, Chicano/Hispano/Mexicano Studies, Native American Studies, Aging Studies, Freshman Academic Choices, Sophomore Seminars in Career Awareness, Research Service Learning Program, and the Water Resources Program. University College offers an interdisciplinary degree called the Bachelor of University Studies Program. There are currently more than 8,500 students enrolled in University College with an additional 1,200 students enrolled in the Bachelor of University Studies program. Thus, the two main missions of University College are to function as an academic home for incoming students and to provide an administrative structure for several important interdisciplinary programs.
University College is the port of entry for almost every beginning student at the University of New Mexico and is committed to helping students engage in academic life and succeed in attaining admission to a College, an undergraduate education, and a degree. In order to accomplish this goal, University College has developed a plan to provide every first and second year student with three essential foundations for success: Basic Skills Development, Effective Instruction, and Pro-Active Student Support. The plan is aimed at providing crucial services (for orientation and proper initial testing and placement), introductory course work (to enable students to quickly acquire the fundamental skills and tools for academic success) and experienced advisement (for development of majors, careers and course schedules). University College has developed innovative pedagogical and curricular approaches to first-year studies at the University of New Mexico including Freshman Interest Groups, Freshman Learning Communities, and Living and Learning Communities. University College has a programmatic approach to lower-division education which emphasizes affirming diversity, promoting creative and engaged teaching, and learning and nurturing and sustaining community within the University. University College seeks to work closely with the Ethnic and Student Support Centers in Student Affairs to address the multiple challenges faced by first and second year students. The mission of University College is to ensure that access to education is realized through a coordinated plan for student engagement and success.