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By Michael Haederle

New Dean Appointed to Lead UNM College of Pharmacy

Longtime Faculty Member Donald Godwin Assumes New Role

Donald A. Godwin, PhD, has been named dean of the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy. He has served as interim dean of the College since the departure last summer of its previous dean, Lynda Welage.

"Dr. Godwin's selection marks the culmination of a national search process," said Paul B. Roth, MD, MS, Chancellor for Health Sciences. "Throughout his career at UNM he has played a key role in developing curriculum and driving student achievement. I know that under his leadership the College will be in good hands."

Executive vice chancellor Richard S. Larson, MD, PhD, hailed Godwin's appointment, saying that Godwin is deserves credit for helping to bolster the College's research capacity in recent years. "Dr. Godwin is a proven leader," Larson said. "I look forward to his continued efforts to enhance our pharmaceutical research and educational programs."

Godwin received a BS in biological sciences from the University of Delaware in 1991. He went on to the University of South Carolina, where he earned a doctoral degree in pharmaceutics focusing on transdermal drug delivery. He joined UNM in 1996 as an assistant professor of pharmaceutics and was promoted to associate professor with in 2002. His research at that time focused on skin cancer prevention through the enhancement of skin retention of UV absorbers.

He then switched career tracks to academic administration. He has served as interim assistant dean of student affairs, assistant dean for professional education, associate dean for professional and graduate education and executive associate dean for education. He previously served as interim dean of the College from July 2010 through December 2011.

Godwin's administrative accomplishments include implementing the UNM/NMSU Cooperative Pharmacy Program, securing increased funding for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, facilitating two PharmD curricular revisions, leading two successful reaccreditation efforts and facilitating the reactivation of the College's commercial radiopharmacy program and the expansion of clinical initiatives.

His current research interests lie in developing innovative programs to enhance student progression and graduation rates in the PharmD curriculum, including curricular changes to improve the critical thinking and problem-solving skills of pharmacy students.

Categories: College of Pharmacy, Education, Research