Viola Florez, dean emeritus of the College of Education and Human Sciences at the University of New Mexico, passed away on January 21. She was 77 years old.
Dr. Florez’s career in academia spanned more than four decades. For 15 years, she was a faculty member with Texas A&M University, serving as a professor, interim dean, and acting vice president. She later transitioned to the University of New Mexico, where she taught as a professor of educational leadership and organizational learning for nearly three decades, including 20 years as the PNM Endowed Chair. During her long tenure, she had two stints as dean of what is now the College of Education and Human Sciences, where she helped to develop several innovative teacher training programs and expand the college’s endowment and infrastructure.
After a one-year appointment as interim provost of the University of New Mexico, Dr. Florez briefly transitioned to public service. From 2008 to 2010, she was Cabinet Secretary for the State of New Mexico’s Higher Education Department. She then returned to the University of New Mexico, ultimately retiring with the title of dean emeritus in 2014.
Dr. Florez was a graduate of Fort Lewis College in Colorado, where she majored in liberal arts and humanities. She earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Colorado and her doctorate in curriculum and instruction from Texas A&M University-Kingsville.