CNM History
In its 40-year history, Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has transitioned from a trade school to a community college and become the second largest educational institution in New Mexico. More than 26,000 students currently attend classes at four campuses and a Workforce Training Center in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
Established in 1965 as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI), the college's mission was to provide adults with marketable skills and the related education needed to succeed in an occupation. That mission continues today.
The idea for the college was developed in the early 1960s by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) officials and spearheaded by Superintendent Charles Spain, who appointed a 63-member planning committee that included APS representatives and community members.
Authorized by the State Legislature in 1963 (HB 129) and by district voters on Sept. 25, 1964, TVI opened officially on July 1, 1965, as part of the APS district. The APS Board of Education doubled as TVI's Governing Board and the Institute's boundaries mirrored those of APS. The boundaries are the same today, encompassing Bernalillo County and Corrales and part of Rio Rancho in Sandoval County.
The first classes were held for 150 students in a vacated APS elementary school building, surplus military barracks and cottages at the corner of Coal Ave. and Buena Vista SE. That site, which became known as Main Campus, now covers about 60 acres. The president's office is still located in the old elementary school building.
In 1978, the College was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and that accreditation continues today, through the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), though the Association is now known as The Higher Learning Commission.
TVI became an independent school district in 1979 when the Legislature approved an independent, elected governing board (SB 89). That same year, a second location -- the Joseph M. Montoya Campus in the far northeast heights -- opened. That campus now covers 42 acres and serves more than 6,600 students, making it larger than most other two-year colleges in the state.
The seven-member Governing Board makes policy decisions and hires the president. Members were elected at-large until 1995, when the Board voted for representation by districts. Terms are four years.
CNM's first two decades were devoted to offering certificate and diploma programs in business, health, technologies and trades occupations, continuing education courses in those areas and a program of adult basic education. College prep courses were added in 1985.
A major expansion in mission followed in 1986, when the Legislature gave the College the authority to grant associate degrees. Governing Board approval quickly followed and the move to become a community college was under way.
Arts and sciences courses, an essential component for an associate degree, were first offered in fall 1986. The number of disciplines and course offerings has increased steadily through the years and CNM now supplies more transfer students to the University of New Mexico than any other school in the state.
Committed to locating a campus in each of the district's four quadrants, the Governing Board early in 1995 approved establishment of the South Valley Campus, which opened that fall. This facility now serves about 1,000 students and is home to a number of educational collaboratives specific to the South Valley area.
Also in 1995, the CNM Workforce Training Center was established to centralize short-term, customized training programs to meet the needs of individual small and large businesses.
To serve the needs of residents of Albuquerque's west side, CNM Westside opened in 2003 to a first-term enrollment exceeding 3,000 students -- more than double the number expected. Enrollment continues to grow and construction on a second building began in 2006.
TVI changed its name to Central New Mexico Community College on June 2, 2006, to better reflect its commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities to students locally, regionally and nationally and its standing as a top regional community college.
The College's budget has increased from an initial allotment of $11,975 in 1965 to $1.5 million in 1965-66 to $136 million in the current fiscal year. Funding comes mainly from a local mill levy and a state appropriation. Other revenue sources include tuition and fees and various government and private grants.
Today CNM offers certificate and degree programs in 100 areas in Applied Technologies; Business & Information Technology; Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences; Health, Wellness & Public Safety; Educational & Career Advancement; and Mathematics, Science & Engineering. Courses are taught in the classroom and via Distance Learning to allow students the most flexibility possible in their education.
CNM also reaches non-traditional populations through its Concurrent Enrollment and College & Career Bound programs for high school-age students and the Emeritus Academy for learners age 50 and older.
The college continues to seek opportunities to broaden its reach through partnerships with industry leaders and other educational institutions, allowing students and instructors access to the newest innovations in many disciplines. This forward thinking has allowed CNM to adjust to community and regional workforce needs since its inception and will continue to support its mission for years to come.
