CNM Announces Tanya Giddings as New Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations

Central New Mexico Community College is pleased to announce the selection of Tanya Giddings as Associate Vice President of Finance & Operations, effective July 13. 

In this role, Giddings will partner with college leadership to support long-term planning, operational excellence, capital development, and strategic initiatives that advance CNM’s vision for student success and community impact. She will also provide leadership and oversight for several key Finance & Operations areas, including the Physical Plant Department, Security, Risk Management, the Enterprise Project Management Office, and auxiliary operations such as Parking, Fleet Services, and the Bookstore. 

A graduate of Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, which became CNM in 2006, Giddings returns to the institution where her higher education journey began. 

“We are excited to welcome Tanya Giddings back to CNM,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “As a TVI graduate, she understands the life-changing role this institution plays for students, families, and communities across New Mexico. Her extensive experience in higher education, government, public administration, and strategic operations will help CNM continue strengthening the systems, facilities, and services that support student success and operational excellence.” 

Giddings brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience spanning higher education, government, public administration, and strategic operations. Throughout her career, she has led complex organizations, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, overseen large teams, and developed innovative solutions that strengthen institutional performance and public service. 

“We are excited to welcome Tanya Giddings to CNM,” said Olivia Padilla-Jackson, CNM Vice President of Finance & Operations. “Her extensive leadership experience in higher education, public administration, strategic planning, and legislative advocacy will be invaluable as we continue advancing CNM’s mission and serving our students and community.” 

Most recently, Giddings served as Director of Government and Community Relations at Luna Community College, where she worked closely with executive leadership on strategic planning, operational initiatives, capital projects, and legislative priorities. In that role, she helped secure emergency state funding to support student housing, demonstrating her ability to advance institutional priorities through collaboration and advocacy. 

Her higher education experience also includes five years at the University of New Mexico, where she represented the university, Health Sciences Center, and branch campuses on legislative and policy matters, coordinated funding initiatives, and provided executive-level analysis on issues affecting higher education and public investment. 

Prior to her return to higher education, Giddings served two elected terms as Bernalillo County Assessor, managing a complex public office in New Mexico’s largest county. She directed an $11.6 million operating budget, managed more than 100 employees across 12 divisions, and oversaw operations supporting an $18.7 billion property valuation program serving more than 280,000 accounts. Her leadership included major organizational modernization efforts, continuity planning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and strategic responses to complex operational challenges. 

Throughout her career, Giddings has built strong partnerships with government, business, and community leaders while securing critical funding, advancing public policy, and delivering measurable operational improvements. Her experience aligns closely with CNM’s commitment to strategic planning, resource stewardship, capital development, and operational excellence. 

After beginning her higher education journey at TVI, Giddings went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Mexico. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to expanding educational opportunity, supporting workforce development, and strengthening public service in New Mexico.