Franklin Named Director for Accessibility Resource Center
August 18, 2025 - Dorene DiNaro
After a competitive national search, Laura Franklin has been appointed director of the UNM Accessibility Resource Center (ARC). In her higher education career spanning more than 30 years, Franklin has held several student support and access roles in Iowa, Arizona, and most recently served as director of student access at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. She will begin her role at The University of New Mexico (UNM) on Monday, Sept. 8.
“The Accessibility Resource Center plays a very special role in supporting UNM students and ensuring everyone has an opportunity to succeed at The University of New Mexico,” said Dr. Eric Scott, vice president for Student Affairs. “By working directly with students, faculty, and staff to find the most optimal and least disruptive solutions for navigating campus and coursework, the ARC team helps us build a culture of care, belonging, and student success.”
A strong proponent of values-based leadership, Franklin believes her long-held values of integrity, respect, authenticity, empathy, justice, and collaboration directly align with the ARC’s mission and values.
“This position allows me to continue my passion for equalizing educational opportunities by removing barriers to support students in their educational journeys,” she said.
Franklin holds a master’s degree in higher education and a bachelor’s in psychology from Iowa State University. Her personal experience as a first-generation student from a limited income family facing multiple barriers and challenges as an undergraduate laid the groundwork for her chosen career path. She looks forward to supporting the institution in its efforts to ensure that students with disabilities have full, equal, and integrated experiences on campus.
In 2022, she was honored with the Wisconsin Board of Regents Diversity Award for her work supporting the basic needs of college students. Most recently, she was recognized as the UW–Platteville Woman of the Year for her contributions toward equalizing educational opportunity on the campus.
“Laura has a proven record of putting students’ well-being and success at the heart of her work,” said Nasha Torrez, J.D., UNM dean of students. “She joins a committed and compassionate ARC team that will continue to thrive and help the campus grow as we work to support students with disabilities and advance our educational mission.”
When she’s not working, Franklin enjoys reading, writing, thrifting, and tagging along to gigs with her partner, a jazz drummer. She admits that New Mexico’s climate and proximity to her sons, who live in Los Angeles, make her move to UNM even sweeter.
“I will always be a student affairs practitioner at heart and am excited to meet my colleagues across the departments in Student Affairs while seeking new opportunities for collaboration,” she said.
Please help us welcome Laura to UNM and Student Affairs!
