HIGHER EDUCATION
New UNM president Goldstein officially begins his term
Former UC Irvine vice chancellor for health affairs succeeds longtime president Garnett Stokes, who retired this month
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Incoming University of New Mexico president Dr. Steve Goldstein began his term as the 24th head of the state鈥檚 largest university Wednesday.
Goldstein, a pediatric cardiologist, comes to UNM from the University of California, Irvine, where he served as vice chancellor for health affairs since 2024. He replaces former President Garnett Stokes, who retired this month after eight years in the role.
Stokes was UNM鈥檚 first female president and its longest-serving in nearly three decades.
Goldstein was selected by the Board of Regents in May from a pool of five finalists following a nationwide search. A physician and professor of physiology and biophysics, Goldstein has held leadership positions at Yale University, the University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago and Brandeis University. He holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in biochemistry from Brandeis and both an M.A. and Ph.D. in immunology from Harvard University.
Goldstein signed a five-year contract beginning July 15 and running until June 30, 2031. He will be paid a base salary of $850,000 and will live on campus in University House, as Stokes did.
鈥淚t is a profound honor to be invited to serve as the next president of the University of New Mexico,鈥� he said in a May statement. 鈥淏uilding on the strong foundation that has been laid by outgoing President Stokes and her predecessors, I look forward to joining this community and to all we will accomplish together."
Natalie Robbins covers education for the Journal. You can reach her at nrobbins@abqjournal.com.
