First RioTECH High School Cohort Will Graduate May 20; Meet One Of The Top Students

For most students, transferring to a new high school during their senior year would be intimidating. But for Franz Guintaran, it was the perfect move.

“I needed a change of pace and RioTECH was accepting new students, so it was great timing,” he says.

CNM, in partnership with Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS), opened RioTECH High School last year to provide Career Technical Education (CTE) for high-demand careers in skilled trades and technology, ranging from automotive technology to digital media.

Franz was already taking classes in RRPS’s established CTE program, but by enrolling at RioTECH he will graduate with both an associate degree from CNM in Computer Information Systems as well as a high school diploma.

He loved being able to experience college while still receiving support and guidance.

“The faculty were invested in my success and helped me learn time management and study skills,” he says. “I really liked that I could learn how college worked before I graduated high school, and I feel prepared to take my next step.”

Franz graduated from CNM on May 2 and will graduate from RioTECH on May 20 alongside 19 other classmates. He will be the first student from RioTECH to graduate with a CNM associate degree.

After graduation, he plans to attend the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro and wants to study mechanical engineering and business. He also hopes to land an internship with Sandia National Laboratories or Los Alamos National Laboratory to gain hands-on career experience.

For anyone interested in RioTECH, here’s his best advice:

“Make sure to do the reading, review what you’ve studied, and stay future focused,” he says. “It’s also an excellent opportunity to build toward your future career and gain the life skills you need to get there.”