Mission Statement

The Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico, values and embraces diversity in all aspects: gender, race, color, ethnicity, age, sex, class, religion, national origin, language, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, as well as career stage, life experience, and area of expertise. We strive to ensure that those of all backgrounds and intellectual perspectives are welcome in our department, to make all opportunities for students and scholars equitable, and to foster community activities that oppose racism, sexism, and other forms of inequality. 

Our goal is to educate faculty, staff and students in the importance of diversity, equity and justice in academia by sharing and promoting resources and initiatives that make us aware of our areas of improvement and how to take action. Towards these aims, the Biology Department has organized a committee made up of students, staff and faculty to promote Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-bias (IDEA) in the department. The current IDEA Co-Chairs and Committee members welcome input from all.

Land Acknowledgment 

Founded in 1889, the University of New Mexico sits on the unceded homelands of the Tiwa people, whose descendants today include the Pueblos of Sandia and Isleta. The original peoples of New Mexico – Pueblo, Diné (Navajo), Apache, Comanche, Ute, Genízaro and others – since time immemorial, have deep connections to the land and have made significant contributions to the broader community statewide. We honor the land itself and those who survived colonization throughout the generations, and also acknowledge our only newly committed relationship to Indigenous peoples. We solemnly recognize the history of colonization and genocide not only here in New Mexico, but across the entire world.