UNM-Los Alamos Chancellor Outlines Priorities After 45th Anniversary

Chancellor Mike Holtzclaw published a New Year message to the UNM-Los Alamos campus community on Jan. 9, offering both a look back at the college’s 45th anniversary and a forward-looking statement of priorities for 2026. The communication served as an official, community-facing statement from campus leadership, thanking staff and partners for their roles in anniversary events and underscoring ongoing institutional commitments.

Holtzclaw emphasized continuity of core programs alongside renewed attention to student support and external partnerships. The chancellor framed 2026 around three broad themes: continuing established programs that serve local learners, bolstering supports aimed at student success, and deepening educational partnerships with community organizations and regional institutions. The message positioned these themes as essential to the college’s mission and its role in Los Alamos County.

For local residents, the statement matters because community colleges function as anchors for workforce development, adult education, and economic mobility. Maintaining programs and expanding student supports can directly affect residents’ access to training, certificate pathways, and transfer opportunities that contribute to stable employment and household well-being. Strengthened partnerships also influence local employers and service providers who rely on a steady stream of prepared graduates.

Public health and social equity are implicit stakes in the chancellor’s priorities. Educational attainment is closely tied to health outcomes, economic security, and civic participation; investments in student supports such as advising, mental health resources, and flexible learning options can mitigate barriers for students juggling work, caregiving, or financial instability. In a community the size of Los Alamos County, equitable access to education helps preserve social cohesion and prevent widening disparities between residents who can access higher education and those who cannot.

The message functions as a strategic signal to county leaders, funders, and partner agencies that UNM-Los Alamos intends to navigate 2026 with a focus on continuity and collaboration. How those intentions translate into concrete programs, staffing, and budget decisions will shape both short-term operations and longer-term community outcomes. Residents, students, and partner organizations can expect campus leaders to prioritize maintaining program offerings while pursuing partnerships and supports designed to broaden access and success.

As the year unfolds, the chancellor’s New Year message sets a tone of gratitude and steady stewardship, asking the community to sustain engagement as the college moves from anniversary reflection to implementation of its stated priorities.