The Advanced Placement (AP) Program in New Mexico is supported by a dedicated team of professionals passionate about ensuring students have access to high-quality educational opportunities. Get to know the team members working behind the scenes to empower educators and students across the state.
Miriam Mendoza
Region 9 AP Program Coordinator
Miriam brings 20 years of experience in education to her new role as the Region 9 AP program coordinator. She is committed to supporting educators and ensuring student success. Enthusiastic about this new chapter, Miriam is eager to connect with educators and provide the assistance they need. Feel free to email Miriam.
Gloria Lueras-Kidd
AP Regional Coach
Gloria ensures educators and coordinators receive the resources and support they need.
- Responding to questions about AP courses, accommodations, and organizing events like AP parent night.
- Assisting schools in accessing valuable data and resources, including AP potential and free pre-AP programs.
- Facilitating monthly virtual professional learning communities (PLCs) for AP educators.
- Providing mentorship opportunities through veteran AP teachers.
- Disseminating updates on AP courses and upcoming deadlines.
- Representing New Mexico at national College Board conferences to stay abreast of AP initiatives.
She also coordinates collaborative efforts between schools, organizes AP Day at the Roundhouse, and helps educators disaggregate and utilize data effectively.
Melissa DeLaurentis
Program Manager, New Mexico Public Education Department’s College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB)
Melissa DeLaurentis is a program manager with the New Mexico Public Education Department’s College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB), overseeing the Careers2Community initiatives. Previously, she spent three years with CCRB, coordinating advanced placement, computer science, Pathways2Careers/Careers2Communities, and career and technical education programs. Melissa’s experience as a New Mexico educator, spanning over nineteen years, has seen her teach at all levels of secondary instruction. Her leadership as a STEM coordinator was pivotal in the transition to the Next Generation Science Standards and the development of the Challenger Learning Center with Las Cruces Public Schools. Melissa’s academic qualifications include a bachelor of science in secondary education, a master’s degree in teaching, and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration.
Justin Makemson, PhD
Education Administrator and Advanced Placement Program Coordinator, NMPED College and Career Readiness Bureau (CCRB)
Justin Makemson is the Education Administrator for Region K and the state’s Advanced Placement Program Coordinator. Makemson is a career educator, coach, and researcher with over twenty-eight years P-20 teaching experience in Missouri, Indiana (where he taught AP Psychology), Tennessee, and New Mexico. Makemson worked as a tenured professor and coordinated educator preparation programs in visual art at Belmont University (Nashville, TN) and the University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM) before joining the PED as the state’s residency coordinator in 2024. Makemson’s academic qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in studio art and social studies education, a master’s degree in art education, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a minor in learning sciences.
