Finnie Coleman was named acting dean of University College earlier this month.
Coleman, director of African-American studies, replaced Peter White.
White, who served as dean for eight years, resigned to pursue teaching.
Interim Provost Viola Florez said Coleman's background made him an obvious choice.
"Dr. Coleman's experience at Texas A&M with undergraduate education and especially with the honors program was a major factor in the making of that decision," Florez said.
Coleman was the associate director of the honors program at Texas A&M and will run the honors program at UNM as a part of University College.
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Coleman said the University College plays an important role at UNM.
Students enrolled at the college can earn degrees in a variety of fields, including Native American studies, Chicano Hispano Mexicano studies and water resources.
"The students who stay at University College receive a rigorous academic experience, and the students who go on to other colleges, we think, are well-prepared to do that," he said. "This is a viable academic home for students, as well."
Coleman said White and the college's faculty and staff have set a leading example.
"The first thing we need to do is to build on the successes that Dean White and the rest of the staff at University College have already demonstrated," he said.
UNM saw its highest freshman retention rate during White's tenure, he said.
Coleman said he wants to take White's success to the next level.
"We need to continue to look at freshman retention and see if we can help spread that success to our sophomores, juniors and seniors," he said.
White said he left the college in good hands.
"He is a very smart man and quite capable of the achieving success at his new position," he said. "I think he will be a strong spokesperson for freshman and sophomore students at UNM."
Coleman said that though his position is temporary, he hopes he can seal a permanent position.
Florez said the University will look for a replacement in fall 2008.
"We will be conducting a national search for the permanent position of dean of University College, and Dr. Coleman will certainly be a candidate for that position if he wishes to apply," she said.
