Mission, Vision, and Values
Our Mission
The UNM Master of Public Policy prepares students to generate solutions to complex policy challenges through evidence, critical thinking, and collaboration. Students learn by doing — producing real-world policy analyses and evaluations that reflect their deep commitment to the communities they serve. Our mission is to develop capable, compassionate policy professionals who improve outcomes for people and communities.
Our Vision
To be recognized as a leading public policy program in the Southwest — anchored in place, grounded in data, and dedicated to training thoughtful, skilled, and adaptable policy professionals who strengthen communities through evidence-informed decision-making.
Our Values
We believe public policy education must be grounded in the needs, knowledge, and experiences of the communities we serve. Our students don't just study policy — they work directly with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners to produce analyses and evaluations that make a real difference in people's lives.
Public policy education should directly shape the world we live in. We are committed to producing clear, accessible, and actionable research — and to ensuring that evidence-based perspectives are part of the critical conversations happening in New Mexico and beyond.
We are committed to supporting our students not only during their time in the program but throughout their professional journeys. Our alumni network is one of our greatest strengths, and we work to build meaningful connections between past, current, and future students through mentorship, career development, and ongoing engagement.
At the heart of the MPP is a commitment to the craft of policymaking — developing students' skills in designing, analyzing, and evaluating public policies that improve lives. We aim to develop professionals who not only understand how policy works, but who are capable of shaping and assessing it in practice.
Today's complex policy challenges require insight from across disciplines. Our program is built on deep relationships with departments across UNM — including Political Science, Economics, Sociology, and Public Administration — and we prepare students to lead in cross-sector, cross-disciplinary environments.
Want to learn more about our direction and goals? Read our full MPP and Evaluation Lab Strategic Plan.
