Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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.
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion provides resources to support CNM students, faculty, and staff.
- CNM Cultural Teams
- Native American Advisory Council (NAAC)
- CNM Unidos
- CNM Equity Council
- Accessibility Services
- LGBTQIAS2+
If you need the assistance of the DEI, please do not hesitate to send us an email.
Meet the DEI Team
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-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
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.
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
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
Helpful Links
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 |