New Mexico Governor Appoints Kate O’Neill to Lead the State’s Department of Education

Governor of New Mexico Michelle Lujan Grishamn has appointed Kate O’Neill to lead the state’s Department of Education.

Most recently, Dr. O’Neill served as CEO of the University of New Mexico at Taos. During her tenure, she developed a nationally accredited nursing program and increased the campus’ budget. She first joined the campus in 1994 as an adjunct faculty member.

In her new leadership role, Dr. O’Neill will oversee the network of community colleges and public universities throughout New Mexico. She plans to work with Governor Grishamn to make affordability for students a top priority.

“I’m hoping that with some of the economic ideas that we put before the legislature and their own ideas that we’re going to have a variety of options to sustain a scholarship formula and system that’s meaningful to New Mexicans,” the governor said.

Dr. O’Neill is a graduate of Tufts University in Massachusetts where she majored in art history. She holds a master’s degree in education and a doctorate in higher education administration both from Harvard University.