Director of Student and Career Services Retires after 16 Years
May 1, 2025
After 16 years of dedication and service to the School of Law, Director of Student and Career Services Bonnie Stepleton has retired.
Stepleton grew up in Albuquerque and began paving her path in the legal industry early on. She earned a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Oregon in 1984, followed by a J.D. from the UNM School of Law in 1987. She began her legal career as a clerk for the New Mexico Supreme Court and went on to hold a range of positions, including representing individuals with intellectual disabilities, practicing insurance defense law, and serving as a mediator with the New Mexico Workers’ Compensation Administration. Beyond her professional roles, she also volunteered as a mediator with the Metropolitan Court, reflecting her continued dedication to public service.
Stepleton first joined the School of Law in 2004 as Assistant Dean for Student Services. For a decade, she supported and mentored law students. After her time as Assistant Dean, Stepleton returned to the Workers’ Compensation Administration as Bureau Chief and later served as an appellate mediator with the New Mexico Court of Appeals. In 2019, she returned to the School of Law as Director of Student and Career Services, a role in which she once again became an indispensable resource for students navigating their academic and professional journeys.
Director of Bar Exam Success Patrick Lopez shared, “Bonnie has been an inspirational leader for the Student and Career Services team and a key part of getting the UNM School of Law on national rankings for Federal Judicial Clerkships and Government and Public Interest jobs. She has led by example through her kindness and compassion for everyone including stressed out law students and overwhelmed co-workers. We will miss her dearly but wish her the very best in her encore career!”
As Stepleton enters retirement, we celebrate not only her professional accomplishments but also the kindness, compassion, and impact she has brought to our community.
