Achievements in Sustainability

CNM has been recognized for a collegewide commitment to reducing waste, water use, energy use, and carbon emissions while educating our community.

Awards and Recognition

  • Sustainability Campus Index top ranking performer (AASHE, 2021)
  • Sustainability Campus Index top ranking performer (AASHE, 2020)
  • Members of the ABQ 2030 district
  • Numerous sustainability-related national awards and recognition among sustainability and other entities (i.e. Campus Race to Zero Waste, AASHE, and PNM utility providers)

STARS Rating

STARS Logo.png

In November 2019, CNM earned a STARS Silver rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS, the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System, is a transparent, self-reporting, framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance.

CNM achieved Bronze in 2014 with 41.33 points, Silver in 2016 with 46.37 points, and Silver in 2019 with 55.91 points. CNM has made significant progress across all categories since 2014, moving the institution within 10 points of receiving Gold.

Visit the STARS site for the complete report.

CNM Sustainability in the News

Sustainability Presentations


Building Green

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), has been a guiding principle in CNM construction and renovation projects at CNM. Projects (buildings, building elements, and campuses) may be registered under specific certifications such as New Construction & Major Renovations, and Interior Design & Construction. The dates listed below are when the building became LEED Certified, rather than when construction was completed. Take a Self-Guided LEED Tour of the Student Resource Center on CNM's Main Campus. 

New ConstructionLEED

  • 2011: Rio Rancho Campus (RR), LEED Gold
  • 2012: The Student Resource Center (SRC), LEED Silver
  • 2016: Westside I Building (WSI) , LEED Silver
  • 2021: Education Collaborative (EC), LEED Silver
  • 2021: Marketplace @ CNM, LEED Silver

Major Renovations 

  • 2013: Jeannette Stromberg Hall (JS), LEED Gold
  • 2014: Tom Wiley Hall (TW), LEED Silver
  • 2016: Robert P. Matteucci Hall (RPM) , LEED Gold
  • 2016: Laboratory (L) Building, LEED Gold
  • 2017: Ted F. Martinez (TM) Building, LEED Silver
  • 2019: Smith Brasher Hall (SB) Building, LEED Gold
  • 2019: Richard Barr (RB) Building, LEED Gold
  • 2021: Max Salazar Hall (MS), LEED Platinum

Interior Design & Construction

  • 2013: Advanced Technology Center (ATC), LEED Gold
  • 2017: South Valley I (SVI), LEED Silver