University of New Mexico Parent Guide
UNM professor brings reform vision to higher education statewide
Since 1977, Peter White has served UNM as professor of English and American Studies, vice provost for Undergraduate Education, and dean of University College. White now takes his experience to Santa Fe where he serves as Secretary of the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
Working 12 hour days since taking the role mid-May, White met with the Legislative Finance Committee his second day on the job. Reporting on programmatic issues is part of the job, White said, adding that he is anxious to make substantive improvements in higher education in New Mexico.
General education reform is at the top of his list. “We need to change the core curriculum across the state – streamline it, modernize it,” he said, calling the core a “35 hour hurdle.” He’s setting up a committee of faculty members from across higher education in the state to redesign it.
“We need skills oriented classes,” he said. Needed skill sets include writing in the major discipline, problem based learning or research methodology, critical and innovative thinking, and math. He notes that the current core requires Algebra 123. “But, if we allowed students to take courses that offer the same computational skills and data analysis through say, math for teachers, a computer science course or a statistical course for sociology or psychology, it might fit the interests of the students and keep them motivated,” he said.
He said that the core requirements keep faculty from being able to teach certain courses. “Faculty don’t want to force feed, they want to offer and teach what students want,” he said.
White knows what he’s talking about. He helped raise freshman enrollment to its highest in UNM history and the university set a freshman retention record. He established and expanded programs that fostered recruitment and retention, including Freshman Learning Communities, and was instrumental in securing funds to support these efforts. Click here to read more.
