APS grad and former teacher takes the lead at state education dept.

A Rio Grande High School graduate and former educator will be New Mexico’s fifth education chief in as many years.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Tuesday announced the appointment of Mariana Padilla as Cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Public Education Department.

Padilla has served as the director of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet since Lujan Grisham took office in 2019. In that role, Padilla led the governor’s child and family well-being agenda. 

Padilla also serves as Lujan Grisham’s senior education policy advisor and established the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, according to a news release.

“Mariana’s deep roots in New Mexico and her lifelong commitment to children and families make her the right leader for this moment,” Lujan Grisham said. “Her work has been instrumental in shaping our state’s education system, and I am confident that she will continue to bring positive change for New Mexico’s students.” 

Padilla replaces Arsenio Romero, who stepped down last month after learning he was a finalist for the presidency of New Mexico State University.

Padilla has also served as acting Cabinet secretary for PED and the Children, Youth and Families Department.

“I am incredibly honored to be appointed by Gov. Lujan Grisham to lead the New Mexico Public Education Department,” Padilla said. “My career has been focused on serving the communities and families of our state. I am committed to working collaboratively with students, families, educators, and community partners to achieve the outcomes we all want to see. As a parent of grade-school students, I share the sense of urgency to deliver for our kids.” 

Padilla was raised in the South Valley, according to a news release. 

She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Albuquerque’s South Valley before earning dual master’s degrees in community and regional planning and water resources from the University of New Mexico. 

Before becoming the director of the Children’s Cabinet, she oversaw  New Mexico policy and constituent services as the state director for then-congresswoman Lujan Grisham for six years, overseeing New Mexico policy and constituent services. 

Padilla and her husband have three daughters who attend public schools in Santa Fe.