Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion seeks to advance CNM's six core values and ensure that inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and the well-being of our diverse community are embedded and inseparable from institutional excellence.

About CNM DEI

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion focuses on enacting collaborative, emergent strategies to advance CNM's six core values. 

We strive to ensure that inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and the well-being of our diverse community are embedded and inseparable from institutional excellence.

Our Framework 

Leadership and Accountability in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (LA IDEA)

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework (LA IDEA) arises from the College’s Strategic Plan 2020-2024 focusing on Student Success, Community Success, and Organizational Excellence and Innovation, and outlines strategies for advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility at CNM.

The LA IDEA framework identifies viable short- and long-term institutional goals to move us toward inclusive excellence.

DEI Resources

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides resources to support CNM students, faculty, and staff. 

If you need the assistance of the DEI, please do not hesitate to send us an email. 

Email CNM DEI


Meet the DEI Team

Felecia Caton-Garcia Headshot

Felecia Caton-Garcia

Dr. Caton-Garcia (she/her/ella) serves as the Executive Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CNM. Prior to this role, Dr. Caton-Garcia taught English, American Studies, and Chicana/e/o Studies at CNM for fifteen years. She has spent her life working within and without institutions to advance justice, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism efforts in education. As an educator, scholar, writer, and South Valley resident, Dr. Caton-Garcia is deeply invested in creating communities of care that embrace difference and celebrate our shared humanity.

Email Felecia or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 50285

Renee Quintana

Renee Quintana-Romero

Renee Quintana-Romero (she/her) is a Senior Research Analyst in the Office of Data Strategy (ODS) and serves on the DEI Leadership Team. Renee has been with CNM since 2018 and is heavily involved in telling CNM’s DEI Data Story. Her work involves mandatory reporting of college data to federal and state entities and overseeing survey processes for the college. Renee’s work with data started as a student employee hand-entering survey data and continued her data journey obtaining skills in survey research, focus groups, qualitative analysis, and institutional research. Renee has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Art History as well as a Master of Public Administration from the University of New Mexico.

Email Renee or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 53820

Julie Mason Headshot

Julie Mason 

Julie Mason (she/they) is a full-time SIGN faculty member at CNM and was recently selected as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellow. She is Deaf and strives to make sure her courses are accessible and equitable as possible to her students.  Julie enjoys incorporating her art and sense of humor into her instruction. As a DEI fellow for CNM, she works closely with the Cooperative for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and other CNM organizations to incorporate anti-racist, anti-ableist, and other ideas and values shared by the students, staff, and faculty that make up CNM.

Email Julie

Sandra Vazquez

Sandra Vazquez

Sandra Vazquez (she/her/ella) was born in Mexico City and grew up in Albuquerque, NM. Having attended both UNM and CNM, she graduated from UNM with a BA in International Studies in addition to a BA in Spanish and Portuguese in 2019. She previously worked for CNM’s Accessibility Services and Enrollment Services helping newly enrolled students jumpstart their educational path at CNM. Sandra joins the DEI Office as the Associate Director of Student Life, bringing her passion for learning, helping students, and making education accessible and equitable for all.

Email Sandra or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 54574

Travis Thompson Headshot

Travis Thompson 

Travis Eli Thompson (he/him) was born and raised in New Mexico. Travis started at CNM as an HR Tech and is now serving as the Manager of Employee Learning and Organizational Development under Human Resources. He is a member of the DEI leadership team, a member of the CNM Equity Council, and a member of the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board for CNM. His love and passion for CNM drive him to do his best every day. 

Email Travis or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 53520


Upcoming DEI Events

Religious and Cultural Observances or Celebrations 

When planning events, please consider a wide variety of religious and cultural celebrations and observances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students and employees who observe a religious or cultural event. The following table does not contain an exhaustive list of religious and cultural celebrations and observances. If you would like to see an event added to this list, please email dei@cnm.edu.

Religious or Cultural Observance or Celebration Date Semester
Feast of the Epiphany (various Christianities) January 6, 2023 Spring
World Religion Day January 15, 2023 Spring
Makar Sankranti (Hinduism) January 15, 2023 Spring
Sulṭán (Baha’i)
January 19, 2023 Spring
Lunar New Year (E/SE Asia)
January 22, 2023 Spring
Tu B’Shvat (Judaism)
February 5-6, 2023 Spring
Mulk (Baha’i)
February 7, 2023 Spring
Nirvana Day (Buddhism)
February 15, 2023 Spring
Ash Wednesday (Christianity)
February 22, 2023
Spring
‘Alá’ (Baha’i)
March 2-20, 2023
Spring
Purim (Judaism)
March 6-7, 2023
Spring
Holi (Hinduism) 
March 8, 2023 Spring
Ramadan (Islam)
March 22-April 21, 2023
Spring
Pesach (Judaism)
April 5-13,2023
Spring
Good Friday (Christianity)
April 7, 2023 Spring
Easter (Christianity)
April 9, 2023 Spring
Eid al-Fitr 
April 21, 2023 Intercession
Shavuot (Judaism)
May 25-27, 2023
Summer
Buddha’s Birthday (Buddhism)
May 26, 2023
Summer
Juneteenth June 19, 2023 Summer
Hajj (Islam)
June 26-July 1, 2023
Summer
Eid al-Adha (Islam) 
June 28, 2023
Summer
Tish’a B’Av (Judaism)
July 26-27, 2023
Summer
Al-Hijri (Islam)
July 30, 2023
Summer
Feast of the Assumption (various Christianities)
August 15, 2023 Intercession
Lord Krishna’s Birthday (Hinduism)
August 18, 2023 Intercession
Ganesh Chaturthi (Hinduism) 
August 31, 2023
Fall
Rosh HaShanah (Judaism)
September 15-17, 2023 Fall
Yom Kippur (Judaism) 
September 24-25, 2023 Fall
Mawlid (Islam)
September 28, 2023 Fall
Sukkot (Judaism)
September 29- October 6, 2023 Fall
Simhat Torah (Judaism)
October 7-8, 2023 Fall
All Saints’ Day, All Souls Day, Día de Los Muertos
November 1, 2023
Fall
Diwali (Hinduism)
November 12, 2023
Fall
Sigd (Judaism)
November 12-13, 2023
Fall
Chanukah (Judaism)
December 7-15, 2023 Fall
Bodhi Day (Buddhism) 
December 8, 2023 Non-Instructional Day
Christmas (Christianity)
December 24-25, 2023
Non-Instructional Days