Náásgóó: UNM-Gallup celebrates diversity with statewide partners
April 27, 2026 - Richard Reyes
The University of New Mexico-Gallup hosted the 2026 Statewide Diversity Summit on April 17-18, bringing together higher education partners from around the Land of Enchantment to engage in open dialogue about diversity related topics.
The two-day summit featured four keynote speakers and 24 breakout sessions on a variety of subjects, including academic freedom, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, library censorship, and more. Approximately 170 attendees and presenters from around the state and the local community visited the UNM-Gallup campus for the summit.
“What I would hope people left with was a basic understanding and meaning of diversity,” L.D. Lovett, the director of UNM-Gallup Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, said. “It’s a mixture of similarities and differences. It’s about understanding and respect. And when they came and they left, I think they had that feeling that we’re in this as a team.”
Lovett served as co-chair of the planning committee that organized the summit alongside Dr. Aretha Matt, an associate professor of English at UNM-Gallup.
Together, Lovett and Matt led a team of employees from several UNM-Gallup departments, including Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Zollinger Library, Native American Student Success Center, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Facilities Management, Information Technology, and Public Relations.
“This was definitely a team effort, and it was a success because many folks across campus played an important role,” Matt said.
The UNM Division for Change and Empowerment, New Mexico Highlands University, and the City of Gallup were also key partners.
Standing in solidarity
