How CNM’s New Transfer Center Is Streamlining the Student Experience

Navigating college can be hard. Navigating how to transfer from one college to another can be even harder. 

That’s where CNM’s brand new Transfer Center comes into play. Located in Smith Brasher Hall on Main Campus, the center will officially open at the start of the 2026 Fall Term and provide full-circle support for students who want to complete their degree at CNM and then transfer to a four-year university.  

“Our goal at the Transfer Center is to understand the student’s transfer intent much sooner in their journey so we can provide more proactive supports and help them in their decision making for whatever path they’re choosing,” says Erin Johnson-Kruft, Associate Vice President of Education & Learning. 

Students who come into the center will meet with a staff member and get clear pathway support so they know what classes to take at CNM in order to successfully transfer. Creating a roadmap early on makes school faster and cheaper for students and leads to much higher graduation outcomes.  

“Ultimately we are trying to make transfer as seamless as possible,” says Pedro Castillón, the Senior Director of CTE Grants and Academic Pathways. 

In addition to transfer-out services, the center will be the hub for pathways into CNM — including dual credit and support for students beginning their journey through Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). 

Throughout the school year, there will be a rotating schedule of four-year university recruiters who are in the center to meet with students. The center is also set up to seamlessly refer students to Financial Aid and Advisement when needed.  

Faculty and staff who want to support students who are preparing to transfer will also find resources at the Transfer Center.  

“The hope is that we can improve faculty and staff training and support for guiding students through their various programs and transfer pathways,” Johnson-Kruft says.  

Taken all together, the resources provided by the Transfer Center aim to help students get ahead of the transfer process and keep them organized as they move into, through, and out of CNM. 

“Students need access to support that starts early and continues throughout their entire educational journey,” Johnson-Kruft says. “They need someone to help them interpret the information in front of them, spot trouble before challenges snowball, and connect short-term choices to longer-term goals. The best support isn’t focused only on the next semester’s schedule but the entire arc of a degree program, even when that arc spans multiple institutions.”