By Richard Reyes, UNM-Gallup Senior Public Relations Specialist
The University of New Mexico-Gallup Chancellor Sabrina Ezzell announced that she will retire from her position on June 30 after nearly four years of service in the top leadership role of the branch campus.
In her retirement message shared with students, staff and faculty April 27, Ezzell said that serving as chancellor at UNM-Gallup has been the greatest professional honor of her life.
“When I first stepped into this role, my goal was to ensure that students, staff, and faculty felt valued,” Ezzell said. “Over the past four years, we have worked together to make that happen. As a campus, we have improved multiple aspects of our learning and working environments. Each of these improvements — from classroom renovations and new technology to cultural events and employee recognition — is a testament to the collective dedication of our faculty, staff, and campus leadership.”
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Barbara Rodríguez thanked Ezzell for her service to UNM-Gallup, which has benefitted not only the University but also the larger Gallup community.
“Chancellor Ezzell’s work has made a difference in ways both visible and lasting,” Rodríguez said. “While we will miss her, I know her influence will continue to guide UNM-Gallup forward.”
The provost’s office will appoint an interim chancellor after accepting nominations from UNM-Gallup faculty and staff.
Rodríguez said the interim chancellor will serve throughout the search process and will be responsible for maintaining academic, administrative and operational stability; supporting students, faculty and staff; and advancing the mission and strategic priorities of UNM-Gallup. A competitive search for a permanent chancellor will take place during the 2026 fall semester.
AN “AMAZING ASSET” TO UNM-GALLUP
UNM-Gallup Local Advisory Board Chairman Raymond Calderon lauded Ezzell for being an “amazing asset” to the branch campus and the community at large.
“I’m so happy for her in this next chapter of her life,” Calderon said. “It’s been a pleasure getting to work with her and getting to know her personally.”
Over the past four years, Ezzell led UNM-Gallup through a period of expansion and innovation. Highlights of her time as chancellor include:
- Guiding the formation of UNM-Gallup’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan to focus improvement in the areas of student experience and educational innovation, sustainability, belonging, inclusive excellence, and advancing our communities.
- Increases in student recruitment and retention.
- Expanding the Nursing, Community Education, and Workforce Development, and Adult Basic Education programs.
- Strengthening the partnership with Gallup-McKinley County Schools, resulting in the construction of a new McKinley Academy building on campus as well as the expansion of career pathway programs for dual-enrollment students.
- Reopening the campus daycare in partnership with GMCS to give student-parents access to a much-needed service to help them succeed academically.
- Establishing a new Law Enforcement Academy to educate and train police recruits locally.
- Establishing a new Campus Clinic in partnership with Gallup Community Health to provide convenient medical and behavioral health services to students and employees.
In her message to the branch campus community, Ezzell said that while she’s looking forward to the next chapter in her life, she remains committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition over the coming months. She concluded her message by expressing gratitude to the campus community.
“Thank you for your partnership, your counsel, and your belief in the mission of UNM-Gallup,” she said. “This institution is more than a workplace; it is a valuable resource for all who seek a better life through education, and each of you make it possible.”
A CAREER DEDICATED TO SERVICE
Ezzell started as interim chancellor in July 2022 and was officially appointed as chancellor in January 2023.
Originally from Clovis, Ezzell has a long history of working in healthcare in the Gallup area, a place she’s called home since 2002. Prior to serving as chancellor, Ezzell accumulated 20 years of experience in higher education.
After a rewarding career as a registered nurse, Ezzell began her academic career with a stretch from 2003 to 2005 as a clinical instructor in the UNM-Gallup Nursing Program. From 2007 to 2008, Ezzell worked another stint at the branch campus as a lecturer/clinical instructor.
From 2013 to 2015 Ezzell taught in the nursing program at Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint. In 2015, Ezzell became a nursing instructor at UNM-Gallup and worked in a variety of roles over the next seven years, including as an assistant professor and associate professor. During this time, Ezzell served as program director for the nursing program and as chair of the Education, Health and Human Services Division.
Ezzell belongs to the American Nurses Association and the New Mexico Nurses Association. Her community service work includes efforts with Battered Families Services, New Mexico Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board, and Special Olympics as a volunteer coach.
She holds a doctorate in education from Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., a master of science in nursing from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., and a bachelor of science in nursing from UNM in Albuquerque. She also earned an associate of science in nursing from Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M.
