The Board of Regents and the Superintendent of New Mexico Military Institute announced the selection of Ms. D’Anna O’Mera, formerly of Roswell, as the Head of School, NMMI Intermediate Preparatory Academy (IPA). Ms. O’Mera will begin her duties on June 1, 2023.
“Education is my passion! I have enjoyed a rich and rewarding career teaching students of all ages (from elementary to college), and I have spent five years as an elementary school administrator. As a teacher, principal, and mother I understand the importance of holding high academic standards to promote the cognitive, social-emotional development, and civic responsibility of our students. I am dedicated to fostering a culture in which teachers and families work collaboratively to lay a strong foundation for today’s children to become tomorrow’s contributing and responsible citizens.”
Ms. O’Mera brings to the Head of School position more than seventeen years of leadership, teaching, and administrative experience at the elementary and intermediate school and college levels. Her Master of Education in Educational Administration and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Grand Canyon University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Eastern New Mexico University, equip her with the skill set experience necessary to lead the IPA community, students, parents, and educators. In addition to serving five years as an elementary and intermediate school administrator, she has taught as the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 8th grades. Her combined experience as an elementary school principal and an elementary/middle school teacher make makes her an excellent choice for Head of School as she demonstrates a strong understanding of her students’ foundational needs in their habit-forming years, and the importance of holding high academic standards to promote the cognitive, social-emotional development, and civic responsibility of her students. As she pointed out during the selection process, she is, and will be, dedicated to fostering a culture in which teachers and families work collaboratively to lay a strong foundation for today’s children to become tomorrow’s contributing and responsible citizens, a philosophy in keeping with the tenants of an NMMI education, “Duty, Honor, Achievement.
Ms. O’Mera will ‘hit the ground running’ as she has significant and applicable experience dealing with the ‘start-up’ nature inherent in the IPA. Previously, as the principal of a K-6 school of approximately 500 students, she executed a reestablishing, or opening, the school after a 7-month shuttering due to flooding. Applying her knowledge and experience to successfully meeting the challenges, she employed the same essential skills necessary to the successful opening of the IPA: a focus on developing strong relationships with students’ families, faculty, and the community, establishing a shared school mission/vision and value system, and developing the leadership and learning capacity of both staff and students.
No stranger to the Roswell and NMMI communities, Ms. O’Mera returns to Roswell together with her husband and 12-year-old son. Her husband, John O’Mera, former NMMI Head college football coach, has accepted the position of NMMI HS Head football coach and PE Instructor beginning this coming season.
The NMMI Board of Regents, the Superintendent, and the entire Selection Committee are excited to have Ms. O’Mera accept the position as the IPA Head of School, and wholeheartedly look forward to partnering with her on continuing to make the IPA an even more exceptional school and community in the coming years.
Ms. Alicia Lopez is the first IPA employee. Ms. Lopez was most recently employed as the NMMI Administrative Assistant for the Admissions Department. She brings with her significant experience working with young adolescents, the general public, as well as many years with NMMI. Those years have provided experience using NMMI systems which will lend well to aiding the staff at the IPA. Ms. Lopez is a native of Roswell, graduating from Roswell High School in 2010. She is currently pursuing a degree in business administration from ENMU.
Ms. Lopez will be responsible for organizing, coordinating, scheduling, and performing a wide variety of clerical activities related to the administration of the diverse programs and operations at the IPA. She will be responsible for prioritizing and scheduling duties and assignments to assure efficiency and effectiveness to meet established timelines. Additionally, Ms. Lopez will provide administrative assistance to the Head of School and other staff to create, schedule and arrange appointments, meetings, and conferences.
When you arrive at the IPA, it is likely that Ms. Lopez is the first smile you will meet! Welcome to the IPA, Ms. Lopez!
E-mail: personnel@nmmi.edu
Departmental Phone: (575) 624-8080
Location: Lusk Hall – Basement
Office Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Limited Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. to Noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
