Departmental News

Posted:  Feb 05, 2025 - 12:00am

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Dr. Mala Htun, author and Distinguished Professor of Political Science at The University of New Mexico. Dr. Htun passed away Friday January 24, 2025 after living with cancer the last few years. She was 55. 

Serving in the department for over a decade, she pioneered advancements in qualitative methods, challenged traditional norms, and was a visionary advocate for inclusion, combating social inequalities, and developing strategies to promote inclusive organizational climates in STEM. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2024.

A fund in Dr. Htun's memory aims to establish an endowment that will sustain and promote the academic programming and transformative work she championed at UNM, ensuring her impact is felt for generations to come. If you would like to donate to this endowment, please click the image or link below for more details.

Mala Htun Memorial Academic Fund

Additional news pieces celebrating Dr. Htun's life and career are linked below:

Albuquerque Journal, published January 26, 2025

UNM News, published January 27, 2025