SANTA FE – On Thursday, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky announced the hiring of the department’s first deputy secretary, as well as the department’s first assistant secretary for Native American Early Education and Care. These appointments round out the leadership team at the state’s newest department, which is dedicated solely to the well-being of New Mexico’s youngest.

Dr. Jennifer Duran-Sallee will serve as ECECD’s deputy secretary. Previously, Dr. Duran-Sallee served as director of the Early Childhood Center of Excellence at Santa Fe Community College. She earned an Ed.D. from the University of New Mexico and has long experience working with early childhood educators in every corner of the state.

Jovanna Archuleta of Nambe Pueblo will serve as assistant secretary for Native American Early Education and Care. She joins ECECD after nearly a decade working with the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council; most recently, she served as Pueblo Outreach Coordinator for early childhood at the LANL Foundation. Archuleta earned an MBA from New Mexico Highlands University.

“For our department to succeed, it’s essential to have leaders who understand how to build and run early education programs from the ground up,” said Secretary Groginsky. “Dr. Duran-Sallee has done so, and she has earned the respect of the early childhood community. We’re lucky to have her.”

“We are similarly fortunate to welcome Jovanna Archuleta to our team. Jovanna will provide key insight as we work to bolster our government-to-government relationships and strengthen early childhood services in New Mexico’s Native communities.”

The Early Childhood Education and Care Department, established through legislation signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in 2019, launches on July 1.