Garnett S. Stokes was installed as the 23rd president of The University of New Mexico on May 12, 2018. She is the first woman to hold the post in the university’s history.

A tireless advocate for a transformative student experience, an empowered faculty, and a campus culture of continuous improvement, Stokes brings to New Mexico’s premiere Research 1 university more than four decades of experience and enthusiasm—as well as the unflagging energy needed to ensure The University of New Mexico thrives as a great place to work, live, and learn.

Prior to her arrival at UNM, Stokes served as interim chancellor, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Missouri and was provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and interim president at Florida State University. She has also been a faculty member, chair of the department of psychology, and dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. 

She earned her B.A. in psychology from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tennessee, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Georgia in industrial/organizational psychology.

Distinctiveness and distinction characterize the Louise McBee Lecture series, which is one of the few annual lecture series in the United States that focuses solely on higher education. Founded in 1989, the series has brought numerous persons of great distinction to the University of Georgia to comment upon key directions and themes in higher education.

The event is part of the 2023 Spring Signature Lecture series.

Requests for accommodations for those with disabilities should be made as soon as possible but at least 7 days prior to the scheduled lecture. Please contact Suzanne Graham in the McBee Institute of Higher Education at 706-542-0579 or srgraham@uga.edu to request accommodations.