Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2025
CONTACT
Julia Sclafani
Public Relations Specialist
Email: julia.sclafani@ececd.nm.gov
Mobile: (505) 699–5937
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Santa Fe, N.M. – The Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) announced Monday the appointment of Joannie Suina, Ed.D., as assistant secretary for Native American early education and care.
A citizen of the Pueblo de Cochiti, Suina holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington. She also holds a master’s degree in Indian law and a bachelor’s degree in Native American studies.
Suina most recently served as special projects coordinator at the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department (IAD). At IAD, she led strategic initiatives in Indian education, broadband equity, economic development, and the state’s response to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis. She previously served as director of communications for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
“Dr. Suina brings a strong track record of bridging Tribal, state, and federal systems to deliver results for Native children and families,” said ECECD Sec. Elizabeth Groginsky. “She has long been a powerful advocate for Tribal sovereignty and will work to ensure that New Mexico’s Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes have a strong voice in the highest levels of decision-making at our agency.”
“Dr. Suina brought a wealth of experience to IAD and we are ecstatic to support her transition to ECECD,” said IAD Sec. Josett D. Monette. “We look forward to seeing what Dr. Suina will accomplish in this new role and the impactful work she will do for our Native American students and families in New Mexico.”
Suina’s work has been recognized by the 2025 New Mexico Behavioral Health Star Award and the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 40 Under 40 list. Suina is the mother of four children and a proud member of the Santa Fe Indian School Parent Advisory Council.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Native American Early Childhood Education and Care is the first in the nation dedicated to strengthening state-Tribal early childhood partnerships rooted in respect, sovereignty, and collaboration. Tribal investment at ECECD grew significantly in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25), with the Office directing the majority of the agency’s $2.25 million Tribal Investment Fund. In FY26, that investment will more than double to $5.25 million—including $3 million specifically allocated for language revitalization, cultural preservation, capacity building, professional development, and facility assessments in Tribal communities.
In FY24, ECECD helped nine Pueblos and Tribes secure $3.3 million in capital outlay funding to improve the health and safety of Tribal early childhood facilities. In 2025, new early childhood facilities will open at Kewa Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, and Zia Pueblo that will serve more than 150 children with high-quality, culturally grounded programming.
Suina began in her new role on June 23.
###
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.