For over ten years, design firms across the state have encouraged the School of Architecture + Planning to establish an Interior Design program. Our goal is simple: provide New Mexicans the chance to study and attain accreditation in Interior Design without having to leave the state. This will create new career opportunities and improve the quality and range of design education at UNM. 

The program will focus on creating learning, working, and living environments that address the needs of the general population, including children and the elderly—while also aligning with the increasing demand for sustainable materials and ecological design. Its curriculum could further expand UNM’s offerings in Fine Arts, general design, and theatrical set and lighting design. Based on demand, we expect Interior Design to rapidly grow and become the second-largest department in SA+P, after Architecture. 

$1 million of philanthropic funding will be required to build the Interior Design Studio and Lab in Santa Fe.

$500,000 of philanthropic support will help us establish an Endowed Professorship in Interior Design. 

Architecture licensure requires an accredited degree, such as our master’s program. However, many UNM students are first-generation college students who encounter financial barriers that threaten their ability to finish their studies. Graduate students do not qualify for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship. Without extra support, too many talented students face limited options. 

We also understand that the quality of our faculty directly influences our ability to attract top-tier graduate students. Recruiting and retaining highly respected faculty members strengthens our programs, boosts UNM’s academic reputation, and fosters a more enriching learning environment for all students.  

$1 million of philanthropic support will endow graduate student scholarships. 

$1.5 million of philanthropic support will fund three Endowed Professorships in Architecture, Community and Regional Planning, and Landscape Architecture. 

The SA+P Fabrication Lab provides students with access to essential tools and technology for design innovation. To stay competitive and meet industry standards, we need to expand the lab and incorporate the most advanced design technology available. 

Our plan is to enclose the upper plaza with a glass wall to create extra space for equipment, including robotic arms that currently do not fit in the existing area. This expansion will give students hands-on experience with advanced tools, boost the lab’s visibility, and enhance SA+P’s attractiveness to prospective students, donors, and partners. 

For the university, this is a chance to strengthen its position as a leader in architectural education. For employers, it guarantees that our graduates enter the workforce equipped with the skills and experience necessary to succeed in a quickly changing field. 

$5 million in philanthropic funding will be required to expand and upgrade the Fab Lab with state-of-the-art resources for SA+P students. Leveraging UNM’s strengths in interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement, the initiative is critical to preparing students for success in an increasingly complex, interdisciplinary global landscape, equipping them with the skills they need to lead and innovate. It will expand access to high-quality research experiences for students pursuing disciplines ranging from the humanities to complex medical research, while also providing faculty across departments with more opportunities to engage in and mentor research projects. With additional funding, we aim to build on existing collaborations, allowing more faculty to participate and contribute to interdisciplinary research. 

$100,000 of philanthropic funding will provide student research support.

$100,000 of funding from the Office of the Vice President for Research and/or Academic Affairs will support research expansion.