UWC-USA is a two-year, independent, co-educational boarding school accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest,[1] serving high school students aged 16 to 19 from around the world, many on scholarships.
History
A view of the UWC-USA campus.
American mogul Armand Hammer'sThe Armand Hammer Foundation purchased the property in Montezuma to establish a United World College in the United States in 1981. Major renovations of existing buildings preceded the school's opening to make it an appropriate site for a residential educational institution.
The school opened in the fall of 1982 as the Armand Hammer United World College of the American West, an event that was attended by King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in his capacity as president of the United World Colleges at the time. The inaugural class of students consisted of 104 young people, from 49 countries.[2][3]
The school's founding president was Theodore D. Lockwood, who served from 1982 until 1993 and had previously served as president of Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut. Dr. William McGill, president emeritus of Columbia University, was the founding chairman of the board of trustees.[2] Philip O. Geier served as president from 1993 until 2005, when he passed the reins to Lisa A. H. Darling, whose presidency ended in 2013. The school's fourth president was Dr. Mukul Kumar '89, an alumnus and leader in international education, who left the school in 2016, and was followed by Dr. Victoria Mora. Born in Albuquerque, a mother as well as a former Dean of the Santa Fe campus of St. John's College, she led the college until 2025.[4] Andrew Mahlstedt is the interim Head of School while the board considers a permanent replacement for Mora's role.[5][6]
In 1998, the school's endowment was significantly increased through the generosity of investment manager Shelby M.C. Davis and his wife Gale.[7][8] Their gift today secures the largest block of the school's student scholarships and provides $25,000 scholarships for all Americans who attend this school (or any other UWC) after being admitted by the U.S. national committee. Their initial gift of $45 million in 1998 was, at the time, the largest private donation ever made to international education.[9][10]
In late 2007, The Wall Street Journal identified UWC-USA as one of the world's top 20 schools for its success in preparing students to enter top American universities.[11] In 2010, UWC-USA was ranked a “Top Ten Program” by U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy.[12]
↑"Statement". UWC USA. Retrieved November 25, 2025. The Board has made changes to School leadership. Dr. Andrew Mahlstedt has been Interim Head of School since January 2025 and will continue in that role until the Board names a permanent replacement for Dr. Victoria Mora.
↑Staff writer (December 28, 2007). "How the Schools Stack Up". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 24, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2008.
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