Despite higher student numbers, UNM School of Law ranked lower

The University of New Mexico School of Law is ranked 69th in the nation and, the University of Texas School of Law is ranked 16th according to U.S. News and World Report. However, Hispanic Business magazine has ranked these schools fifth and first, respectively in terms of how these schools serve Hispanic students.

Hispanic Business ranked law schools in terms of number of Hispanic graduates, Hispanic enrollment, number of degrees earned and number of Hispanic faculty members.

According to the Hispanic Business website, about one-third of The UNM School of Law student population is Hispanic. Only about one-tenth of the student population at the UT School of Law is Hispanic. Twenty-one percent of the faculty at the UNM School of Law is Hispanic while only 5 percent of the faculty at the UT School of Law is Hispanic.

According to the UT School of Law’s website, more women are educated at this institution than any other law school, and the UT School of Law “has produced more Hispanic and African-American graduates combined than any other law school in the United States.”

Tanya Campos, the assistant director of admissions at the UNM School of Law, was not surprised by the ranking given to UNM by Hispanic Business.

“We were recently named as fifth best law school in the Nation for Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine.  We are very proud of this, but again, this is not something new, but our long-term commitment to diversity,” Campos said.

David Mendes is the president of the Mexican American Law Student Association (MALSA) at the UNM School of Law.

“MALSA is the most active club at the law school,” Mendes said.

MALSA is not the only organization that helps to promote diversity at the UNM School of Law. There are also many events put on by the law school to assist applicants and to make law school more accessible to all.

“In terms of recruitment, we offer a number of programs and workshops designed to assist law school applicants.  For example, in the fall we offer three, all-day open- house programs where prospective students can learn more about admissions, our curriculum, and meet with our students, faculty and staff,” Campos said.

Campos also said there are programs to introduce high school students and first and second year college students to the idea of law school as an educational and career option.