UNM announces presidential finalists

ALBUQUERQUE — The University of New Mexico Board of Regents has identified five finalists to succeed President Garnett Stokes, who is scheduled to step down later this summer. The announcement launches a series of campus visits and opportunities for the UNM community to meet each candidate and provide feedback.

The finalists come from leadership roles at public research universities and bring experience in academic affairs and health sciences administration. They are:

• Eric L. Barker — vice president for health affairs at Purdue University
• Steven Goldstein — vice chancellor for health affairs at the University of California, Irvine
• Eric Link — provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Dakota
• Ashwani Monga — executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the University System of Georgia
• Elizabeth “Liz” Watkins — provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Riverside

UNM has scheduled open forums where faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members can hear each finalist speak and ask questions. Those sessions will take place in SUB Ballroom C, and the university will also provide virtual access for anyone who cannot attend in person.

The candidates will visit campus on these dates and times:

• Elizabeth “Liz” Watkins — April 20, 10:30–11:45 a.m.
• Ashwani Monga — April 21, 1:15–2:30 p.m.
• Eric L. Barker — May 11, 1:15–2:30 p.m.
• Steven Goldstein — May 12, 1:15–2:30 p.m.
• Eric Link — May 13, 1:15–2:30 p.m.

After each forum, the university will make surveys available so attendees and remote participants can share their impressions of the finalists. The Board of Regents will review feedback from the visits before making its final hiring decision.