Superintendent’s Message

Our society is facing critical challenges: acceptance of academic mediocrity, an epidemic of obesity, a tendency towards high risk behavior among our youth and relativism when it comes to integrity; New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI) is well positioned to confront each of these challenges. Being a military school, NMMI’s charter is to develop the “whole person,” the mind, the body, and the character of every cadet. It should be no surprise that the mission is to graduate potential leaders who are critical thinkers capable of sound analysis, leaders who are able to meet the physical demands of today’s fast paced environment, and leaders who possess uncompromising character. Anyone who recognizes the need for a multi-dimensional approach to individual development should recognize the value added that NMMI provides to its graduates.

NMMI utilizes the time tested learning process of educating to the mission in the classroom, training to the mission in the leadership laboratory (Corps of Cadets), and providing mission oriented experiences through our Academic, Physical, and Leadership Centers of Excellence. The Dean is responsible for educating to the mission in the classroom; he does so by developing critical thinking and analytical skills in the humanities, math and science, the social sciences, leadership and behavioral science, and health and physical education. In the leadership laboratory, the Commandant is responsible for training to the mission; he inspires each cadet to apply those skills learned in the classroom to planning and executing complex Corps events and community service projects, to promoting a healthy lifestyle and enhancing cadet physical performance and development, and to everyday leadership challenges, focusing on authority, responsibility, and accountability. The Toles Learning Center (TLC) of Excellence, the Godfrey Athletic Center (GAC) of Excellence, and the Daniels Leadership Center (DLC) of Excellence are each responsible for providing our cadets with multiple opportunities, in each of their mission areas respectively, to gain exposure to thinking modalities and thought processes being undertaken by those in other sectors of our society. At NMMI, cadets learn in the classroom, train in the leadership laboratory, and participate in experiences that take them well beyond the confines of NMMI.

The NMMI experience produces outstanding leaders for the community, for business, for government and for the military. Successfully accomplishing our mission provides all our cadets with the potential to be leaders. Our leadership laboratory enables cadets to hold leadership positions before they ever graduate from NMMI. Our Centers of Excellence promote experiences that require our cadets to defend, and if necessary reassess, their thought processes. The desired outcome is not simply to produce any kind of leader; it emphasizes the development of servant leaders who will dedicate their lives to serving their organizations and those they lead before serving themselves (selflessness as opposed to selfishness). NMMI is not for everyone; but if you want to be a leader, NMMI is for you!

David R. Ellison
Rear Admiral, USN (ret)
Superintendent

Go Beyond!

Superintendent’s Message