View the Diversity Summit Documents here and Diversity Summit ӣƵ here.
UNM-Gallup to host Diversity Summit in April
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
Event will create safe space for conversations on academic freedom, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, and more
By Richard Reyes, Friday, January 30, 2026
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup will host the 2026 Statewide Diversity Summit on April 17-18, creating a safe space for students, educators and community members to share their experiences and learn from one another.
The Statewide Diversity Summit is a free, public event that aims to initiate conversations on how New Mexico’s higher education institutions can better support the growing diversity of student populations.
“The summit reflects the institution’s commitment to valuing diversity as a core value,” UNM-Gallup Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director L.D. Lovett said. “As an institution of higher education, we recognize diversity as one of our values and the understanding, acceptance, and respect for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or national origin. This year's Summit epitomizes who we are as an institution and how we recognize the freedom and rights of our students, professors, staff, and community.”
Lovett is one of the lead organizers for the event alongside Dr. Aretha Matt, an associate professor for UNM-Gallup.
The theme for the summit is “Náásgóó: Creating a Future of Solidarity and Liberation in N.M. Higher Education.” Matt explained that náásgóó is a Navajo word that means “moving forward.”
“We are saying we want to move forward together in solidarity — that we don’t have to be divisive,” she said. “We can move forward in a positive way.”
Sharing lived experiences
Breakout sessions during the summit will feature panel presentations and roundtable discussions led by academicians, community members, and political leaders on topics related to academic freedom, immigration, leadership, impacts of funding cuts, LGBTQ+ issues, facts vs. misinformation, library censorship, First Amendment rights, and experiences of international faculty and students.
Twenty-five presentations have been confirmed for the event. Some of the confirmed presentations include:
- “The State of Immigrant Rights in New Mexico” presented by Emma O’Sullivan of ACLU of New Mexico and Jessica Martinez, of New Mexico Immigrant Law Center.
- “Preserving Our Voice: The Critical Role of Navajo Language Retention and Revitalization” presented by UNM-Gallup instructors Joe Kee and Carolene Whitman.
- “Strengthening Culturally Responsive Education Through Local Partnerships” presented by a panel featuring Gallup-McKinley County Schools interim Superintendent Jvanna Hanks II and four members of the board: Priscilla Benally, Kevin Mitchell, Val Wangler, and Georgianna Desiderio.
The conference offers the opportunity for the community to engage in conversations, listen to expert speakers, and participate in events designed to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion.
Keynote speakers
The two-day summit will begin at 8 a.m. both days at the branch campus. Breakfast and lunch will also be provided.
Four keynote speakers have been confirmed for the event:
- Deputy Cabinet Secretary Dr. Patricia Trujillo, of the New Mexico Higher Education Department.
- Dr. Assata Zerai, vice president of the UNM Division for Change and Empowerment and professor of sociology.
- Deb Haaland, 54th U.S. secretary of the interior.
- Dr. Eric Romero, professor of Native American/Hispano Cultural Studies for New Mexico Highlands University.
UNM-Gallup Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell and Dean of Instruction John Zimmerman are also scheduled to participate and deliver welcoming remarks during the summit.
A full schedule with details about each presentation and all the speakers is available below.
For more information, please contact:
- L.D. Lovett: llovett@unm.edu or 505-863-7540
- Dr. Aretha Matt: matta@unm.edu or 505-863-7566
- Tara Ashley: ashley01@unm.edu
ӣƵ and Other Documents
- Day 1 ӣƵ
- Day 1 Keynote Program
- Keynote Address: Dr. Patricia Trujillo
- Keynote Address: Dr. Assata Zerai
- Day 2 ӣƵ
- Day 2 Keynote Program
- Keynote Address: The Honorable Deb Haaland
- Keynote Address: Dr. Eric Romero
- Keynote Program Participants
- Presenter & Moderator Bios
- Campus Map
- Hotel Accomodations
Day 1 ӣƵ
Friday, April 17
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Location: Gurley Hall Commons
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Morning Program & Keynote Address (See program details here)
Location: Calvin Hall Auditorium
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Morning Breakout Sessions (See Addendum 1 for session details)
Location: Student Services & Technology Center (SSTC)
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Gurley Hall Commons
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Break
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Program & Keynote Address (See program details here)
Location: Calvin Hall Auditorium
1:45 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Break
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Early Afternoon Breakout Sessions (See Addendum 2 for session details)
Location: Student Services & Technology Center (SSTC)
3 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Break
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Mid–Afternoon Breakout Sessions (See Addendum 3 for session details)
Location: Student Services & Technology Center (SSTC)
4:15 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Break
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Late Afternoon Breakout Sessions (See Addendum 4 for session details)
Location: Student Services & Technology Center (SSTC)
Day 2 ӣƵ
Saturday, April 18
8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Location: Gurley Hall Commons
9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Morning Program & Keynote Address (See program details here)
Location: Calvin Hall Auditorium
10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Morning Breakout Sessions (See Addendum 5 for session details)
Location: Student Services & Technology Center (SSTC)
11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch
Location: Gurley Hall Commons
12:30 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Break
12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Afternoon Program & Keynote Address (See program details here)
Location: Calvin Hall Auditorium
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