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

Dr. 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 Dr. Caton-Garcia or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 50285

Renee Quintana-Romero smiling in an outdoor courtyard

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

Jamie Wilson wearing a black hat

Dr. Jamie Wilson

Dr. Jamie Wilson (she/her/ella) is full-time Spanish and American Studies faculty. In her role as the faculty fellow for DEI, she is developing the Actionable Equity Institute for faculty with the Cooperative for Teaching and Learning (CTL). The institute will couple culturally sustaining and anti-racist pedagogies with critical data analysis of course-level and institutional key performance indicators for categories of race, ethnicity, and gender and their intersectionality. Dr. Wilson is a scholar of U.S.-Mexico border studies and is committed to immigration justice efforts. Many of her efforts at CNM center on improving outcomes for Hispanic/x and Latinx students, as well as providing anti-racist training opportunities for faculty and staff.

Email Dr. Wilson or call (505) 224-4000 ext. 53560

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

The information below does not contain an exhaustive list of religious and cultural celebrations and observances, but it does include festivals, holy days, and New Mexico Pueblo Feast Days. 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.

View Religious and Cultural Observances or Celebrations

Observance or Celebration and Corresponding Religion or Culture	Dates	Important Details
Shabbat Judaism	Weekly, ongoing	Holy day of rest beginning at sundown on Fridays and ending sunset on Saturdays. Jews may leave work late afternoon/before dusk to prepare.
Transfer of Canes Taos, Santo Domingo, Jemez, Ohkay Owingeh, and Picuris Pueblos	January 1	Various dances
Gantan-sai Shinto	January 1	Celebration of the Shinto New Year. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on this date.
King’s Day Picuris, Nambe, Sandia, Santa Ana, Taos, and Santo Domingo Pueblos	January 6	Various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday Sikhism	January 17	Celebrates the birthday of the tenth Sikh Guru.
Bodhi Day Mahayana Buddhism	January 18	Celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment.
World Religion Day Baha’i	January 21	Celebrates the shared themes and beliefs in global faiths.
St. Ildephonsus Feast Day St. Ildephonsus Pueblo	January 22-23	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Tu Bishvat Judaism	January 24-25	New Year of the Trees
Imbolc Neo-Pagan traditions, Wicca	February 1	Occurs at the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. A celebration of the springtime return of life.
Governor’s Feast Acoma Pueblo	First - second week of February	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Deer Dances Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo	First - second week of February	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Lailat al Miraj Islam	February 6-7	Commemorates Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascension into heaven.
Parinirvana or Nirvana Day Mahãyãna Buddhism	February 15	Marks Buddha’s death and attainment of final nirvana.
Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha Baha’i	February 26-29	Festival of hospitality, charity, and a preparation for New Fear fast.
'Ala' Baha’i	March 1 - 19	19 day (daylight) fast marking the month of loftiness. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities. Bahá’í students and employees may be fasting.
Maha Shiravatri Hinduism	March 8-9	A festival honoring Shiva.
Ramadan Islam	March 10 - April 9	Holy month of prayer and introspection characterized by fasting. Muslims fast for the month of Ramadan during daylight hours. Avoid scheduling lunch/coffee meetings unless you discuss with your Muslim colleagues first. Early morning meetings may present a challenge during this time as well. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result.
Ostara Neo-Paganism, Wicca	March 19	The celebration of the spring equinox.
St. Joseph’s Feast Day Laguna Pueblo	March 19	Harvest Dance and other various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Naw Ruz Zoroastrian	March 19 - 20	Zoroastrian New Year.
Naw Ruz Baha’i	March 19 - 20	Baha’i New Year and the end of the 19 day fast. Work is suspended and children do not attend school.
Purim Judaism	March 23 - 24	Celebrates the survival of ancient Persian Jews who were marked for death.
Holi Hinduism	March 25	Spring festival of colors that welcomes spring and new harvest. Celebrated for two days.
Hola Mohalla Sikhism	March 25 - 27	A three-day festival centered valor, skill, and defense preparedness.
Navaratri Hinduism	April 9 - 17	A nine-day festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga. Some Hindus will fast. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities.
Eid al-Fitr Islam	April 11	Marks the end of Ramadan. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Employees and students will likely ask to take this day off.
Vaisakhi Hinduism	April 13	Hindu festival celebrating the solar New Year and marking the spring harvest.
Ridván (first day of Most Great Festival) Baha’i	April 20	Festival which symbolizes the time that Baháʼu'lláh entered the garden. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first day, ninth day, and twelfth day of Ridván as work is suspended for Bahá’ís.
Mahavir Jayanti Jainism	April 21	Celebrates the birth of the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira.
Pesach (Passover) Judaism	April 22 - April 30	A seven-day festival focusing on themes of freedom. Jews eat a restricted diet for the entire holiday. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday.
St. Phillip Feast Day San Felipe Pueblo	May 1	Annual Feast Day, includes Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Beltane Neo-Paganism, Wicca	May 1	Festival celebrating the arrival of summer and the fertility of the next year.
Santa Maria Feast Day Acoma Pueblo	First Sunday of May	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Santa Cruz Feast Day Taos Pueblo	May 3	Blessing of the Fields with the Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Birthday of Buddha Buddhism	May 15	Celebrates the Buddha’s birthday.
Vesak Theravada Buddhism	May 23	This festival honors the life, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha.
Declaration of the Bab Baha’i	May 22 - 23	Marks the prediction of the Bab as the Messenger of God in the Baha’i faith. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Bahá’ís.
Ascension of Baha’u’lláh Baha’i	May 28	Marks the anniversary of the death of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of Bahá’í. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities. Work is suspended for Bahá’ís.
Blessing of the Fields Tesuque Pueblo	First Saturday of June	Blessing of the Fields with Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Race Unity Day Baha’i	June 9	Day to promote racial harmony and understanding in the Baha’i faith.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib Sikhism	June 10	Commemorates Sikh Guru and his martyrdom.
Shavuot Judaism	June 11 - 13	Commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai and also marks the ancient grain harvest. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the first two and last two days of the holiday.
St. Anthony’s Feast Day Sandia, Taos, Ohkay Owingeh, Santa Clara, Picuris Pueblos	June 13	Various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
The Hajj Islam	June 14 - 19	Annual pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca.
Eid al-Adha Islam	June 15 - 16	Holiday marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, and activities on the first day.
Litha Neo-Pagan, Wicca	June 20	Celebration of summer solstice and midsummer.
St. John the Baptist Feast Day Ohkay Owingeh and Taos Pueblos	June 24	Annual Feast Day for Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo and Corn Dance at Taos Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
St. Peter/St.Paul Feast Day Santa Ana, Santo Domingo Pueblos	June 29	Various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
St. Persingula Feast Day Jemez Pueblo	July 2	Annual Feast Day and Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
St. Dominic Feast Day Santo Domingo Pueblo	July 4	Annual Feast Day and Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Taos Pueblo Powwow Taos Pueblo	Second weekend of July	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
San Lorenzo Vespers Picuris Pueblo	July 9	Vespers and Sunset Dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
San Lorenzo Feast Day Picuris and Acoma Pueblos	July 10	Picuris Annual Feast Day and Traditional Dances. Various Dances at Acoma Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe. This date is also the anniversary of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt.
St. Bonaventure Feast Day Cochiti Pueblo	July 14	Annual Feast Day and Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Assumption of Our Blessed Mother Zia and Laguna Pueblos	July 15	Zia Pueblo Annual Feast Day and Corn Dance. Harvest Dance at Laguna Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Birthday of Haile Selassie Rastafarianism	July 23	Celebrates Haile Selassie, believed to be the incarnation of God.
Santiago Feast Day Taos Pueblo	July 25	Corn Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
St. Anne Feast Day Santa Ana, Laguna, and Taos Pueblos	July 26	Annual Feast Day at Santa Ana Pueblo, Harvest Dance at Laguna Pueblo and Corn Dance at Taos Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
People’s Day Santa Ana and Pojoaque Pueblos	July 28	Santa Ana Feast Day. Summer Feast Day and Comanche Dance at Pojoaque Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Lughnasadh Neo-Paganism, Wicca	August 1	A festival marking the start of the harvest season.
Santa Clara Feast Day Santa Clara Pueblo	August 12	Annual Feast Day. Buffalo, Harvest, and Corn Dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Tisha B’Av Judaism	August 12 - 13	A Jewish holiday that remembers the destruction of the Jewish temple, once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Jewish students and employees may be fasting all day.
Arbaeen Islam	August 25 - 26	A day of observance concluding the 40-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura.
Sri Krishna Jayanti Hinduism	August 26	Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that Hindu students will be operating on very little sleep. Some may fast during the first day.
St. Augustine Feast Day Isleta Pueblo	August 28	Isleta Pueblo Annual Feast Day and various Dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Paryushana-Parva Jainism	August 30	An eight-day festival about forgiveness that is the faith’s most important observance. Jains may be fasting during the festival.
St. Esteban Feast Day Acoma Pueblo	September 2	Annual Feast Day and Harvest Dance. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Feast Laguna Pueblo	September 8	Harvest and Social Dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Mawlid Islam	September 15 - 16	Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Muslim may be fasting.
Pitru Paksha Hinduism	September 17 - October 2	A time for Hindus to pay homage to their ancestors.
St. Joseph’s Feast Day Laguna Pueblo	September 19	Laguna Annual Feast Day and Harvest Dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Mabon Neo-Paganism, Wicca	September 22	Celebration of the autumnal equinox.
St. Elizabeth Feast Day Laguna Pueblo	September 25	Harvest and various Dances.Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
San Geronimo Feast Day Taos Pueblo	September 30	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Rosh Hashanah Judaism	October 2 - 4	The Jewish New Year celebration and the beginning of a period of reflection. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Some Jews observe two days of Rosh Hashanah.
St. Francis of Assisi Feast Nambe Pueblo	October 4	Annual Feast Day and various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Yom Kippur Judaism	October 11 - 12	Single holiest day of Judaism; day of atonement and reflection. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Most Jews fast for a 25-hour period.
Dussehra Hinduism	October 12	Tenth day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navratras.
Ayathrem Gahabar Zoroastrianism	October 12 - 16	Days celebrating creation. This is a obligatory time of prayer and study with a feast. There are other, similar, Zoroastrian days of observance throughout the year. Be prepared to make accommodations for students observing this holiday or who are tired from religious ritual obligations.
Sukkot Judaism	October 16 - 24	A week-long festival that commemorates the period after the biblical exodus and a desert wandering. Only the first day and the last day (by some traditions) or the first two days and last two days are considered work-abstaining holidays. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on the first two days.
St. Margaret Mary Feast Day Laguna Pueblo	October 17	Harvest and various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Simhat Torah/Shemini Atzeret Judaism	October 23 - 25	End of Sukkot festival and High Holy Day period; honors the Torah and completion of annual reading. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date.
Samhain Neo-Paganism, Wicca	October 31 - November 1	Festival marking the end of the harvest season.
Dia de los Muertos Day of the Dead	October 31 - November 2	A multi-day festival celebrated in commemoration of friends and family members who have died.
Diwali Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism	November 1	Five-day festival of light that honors various deities and seasonal events. Hindu employees will likely request time off for this holiday.
Jain New Year Jainism	November 1	Celebrated on the first day after the month of Kartika.
Birthday of the Bab Baha’i	November 2	Day honoring the birthday of God’s messenger. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i employees and students avoid work on this day.
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh Baha’i	November 3	Celebration of the birth of the found of Baha’i. Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. Baha’i students and employees will suspend work on this day.
San Diego Feast Day Tesuque and Jemez Pueblos	November 12	Annual Feast Day and various dances. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Birthday of Guru Nanak Ji Sikhism	November 15	Celebrates the birth of the founder of Sikhism.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast Pojoaque and Jemez Pueblos	December 12	Annual Feast Day at Pojoaque Pueblo with various Dances. Matachines Dances at Jemez Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Yule Neo-Paganism, Wicca	December 21 - January 1	Celebrates the winter solstice.
Chanukah Judaism	December 25 - January 2	Eight-day festival that honors an ancient military victory and centers on themes of freedom and light.
Turtle Dance Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo	December 26	Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.
Holy Innocent’s Day Picuris and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblos	December 28	Children’s Dances at Picuris Pueblo. Turtle Dance at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Be prepared to make accommodations for students who observe.

The DEI referenced the following sites for information on many religious or cultural observances or celebrations:

If you would like to see an event added to this list or if you need additional information about references, please email [email protected].