University of New Mexico President Garnett Stokes announced the creation of four rapid response teams on January 27, 2025, to address potential federal policy changes under the Trump administration. The teams, focusing on inclusive excellence, immigration policy, research funding, and patient care, aim to counteract recent federal efforts that undermine DEI programs and other progressive initiatives.

The University of New Mexico actively engages in lobbying efforts through its team of five lobbyists and executive leadership to secure base funding, enhance campus safety, and advocate for policies that support faculty, staff, and students. This includes lobbying for a constitutional amendment related to the UNM School of Law, demonstrating its proactive role in shaping state and federal policy.

Graduate workers at the University of New Mexico are rallying on April 23, 2024, to demand a living wage in response to prolonged low pay and precarious employment conditions, particularly the University's exclusion of many Research Assistants from recent wage increases.

According to OpenSecrets data, the University of New Mexico spent $140,000 on lobbying activities in 2023. This entry reflects the institution’s routine engagement in the political process without clear evidence of pushing authoritarian policies.

Graduate workers at the University of New Mexico secured a 6% wage increase in their recent reopener negotiations, following an earlier 10% raise and a 23.5% increase over the past year. The union’s mobilization, including a protest rally and strategic negotiations, highlights a significant step towards improved labor rights and sets the stage for further advocacy in future bargaining rounds.

The University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories signed a new 10‐year memorandum of understanding to expand their long-standing partnership. The agreement will boost research collaboration in advanced technological fields such as quantum information science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other areas critical to national security, while also enhancing channels for academic and business engagement.

The University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories signed a five‐year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) on May 7 to initiate multiple projects focused on radiation testing, advanced particle detector design for CERN, and reactor fuel characterization. This collaboration builds on an existing partnership under the Sandia Academic Alliance Program and is aimed at enhancing national security research as well as scientific and technological innovation.

Undergraduate marketing students at UNM launched the KNOW Extremism Campaign, a global education and advocacy initiative designed to mobilize youth in countering extremist messaging online. The campaign employs digital media tools and grassroots engagement to challenge violent extremist narratives.

The University of New Mexico is one of 45 schools worldwide participating in the Peer to Peer (P2P): Challenging Extremism initiative, which aims to counter extremist ideologies and promote democratic, inclusive educational practices.