CNM, Rio Rancho Public Schools Celebrate Grand Opening of RioTECH Transportation Systems Technology Center
The Center is a state-of-the-art facility that expands career technical education opportunities for both high school and CNM students.
RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) are excited to announce the grand opening of the RioTECH Transportation Systems Technology Center on Friday. The Center is a state-of-the-art facility that expands career technical education opportunities for both high school and CNM students while helping meet New Mexico's growing demand for skilled transportation technicians.
Located on the RioTECH High School campus in Rio Rancho, the Transportation Systems Technology Center is the new home for CNM's Automotive Technology and Electric Vehicle Technology programs, as well as some introductory courses from the Diesel Equipment Technology program. Through CNM's Dual Credit program, RioTECH students in grades 10-12 will also be able to take CNM's transportation technology courses tuition-free, earning both high school and college credit.
"The opening of the Transportation Systems Technology Center represents the next chapter in our partnership with Rio Rancho Public Schools; our partnerships with industry to provide solutions for their workforce needs; and our shared commitment to preparing students for quality careers," said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. "Local industry leaders helped inform the transportation technology programming offered in this state-of-the-art facility, which will help us meet their increasing demand for skilled technicians. Together, we’re preparing students to succeed, helping local employers grow and thrive, and strengthening an essential part of New Mexico’s economy.”
The Center builds on the already successful partnership between CNM and Rio Rancho Public Schools, which launched RioTECH in 2025 as an innovative career technical education high school. Today, RioTECH offers pathways in transportation technology, skilled trades, information technology, digital media, and other high-demand career fields, creating a seamless bridge from high school to college and the workforce.
“RioTECH is about creating pathways from the classroom to high-demand technical careers, and the new Transportation Systems Technology Center will give our students another powerful opportunity to build their futures in their high school years,” said Dr. Robert Dodd, superintendent of Rio Rancho Public Schools. “Through our partnership with CNM, RRPS students will gain hands-on training and the opportunity to graduate with industry-recognized certifications that give them a competitive edge in college, the workforce, and beyond.”
The 43,800-square-foot Transportation Systems Technology Center features automotive and electric vehicle labs designed to emulate professional repair shops, specialized instructional spaces for automotive electrical systems, secure fleet storage, and adjacent classrooms with integrated technology. Ultimately, the facility is designed to give students authentic, hands-on learning experiences that simulate work environments.
“I’m very excited about the Center opening because it will help us train students for an essential career field, allow us to get ahead of new transportation technology, and serve industry needs by creating a workforce pipeline,” said Curtis Garand, the Program Director for CNM’s Automotive, Diesel, and Electric Vehicle programs.
The Transportation Systems Technology Center at RioTECH is another strong step in the College’s longstanding commitment to workforce education and training that leads to quality careers in our community. Automotive Repair was one of the original programs offered when the College opened as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI) in 1965, and today's investment continues that legacy by preparing the next generation of technicians.
The grand opening will take place on Aug. 28 from 9-11 a.m. at the RioTECH campus located at 6051 Zenith Ct. NE, 87144. Speakers will include CNM Governing Board Chair Annette Chavez y De La Cruz, CNM President Tracy Hartzler, RRPS Superintendent Dr. Robert Dodd, Franken Construction Superintendent Brian Cruz, CNM Automotive Program Director Curtis Garand, as well as students from RioTECH and CNM.