New Mexico Community College, Public School District Partner to Open Transportation Technology Center

RIO RANCHO, N.M. — Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) and Rio Rancho Public Schools (RRPS) celebrated the grand opening Friday of the Transportation Systems Technology Center at the RioTECH Career Technical Education High School.

The new center expands career technical education opportunities for high school and CNM students while helping build the skilled workforce needed by New Mexico’s rapidly evolving transportation industry.

The Transportation Systems Technology Center is the new home of CNM’s Automotive Technology and Electric Vehicle Technology programs and will also host select Light Diesel Equipment Technology courses. Through CNM’s Dual Credit program, RioTECH students in grades 10–12 can take the college’s transportation technology courses tuition-free while earning both high school and college credit.

“The Transportation Systems Technology Center represents an exciting new chapter in CNM’s partnership with Rio Rancho Public Schools and our shared commitment to preparing students for quality careers,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “Industry leaders helped shape the training offered here to ensure students gain the skills and hands-on experience employers need. Together, we are expanding opportunity for learners, strengthening the talent pipeline for local businesses, and supporting an essential part of New Mexico’s economy.”

The center builds on the partnership that established RioTECH in 2025 as an innovative career technical education high school. RioTECH offers pathways in transportation technology, skilled trades, information technology, and digital media, creating a direct 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 facility features automotive and electric vehicle labs designed to replicate professional repair shops, specialized instructional spaces for automotive electrical systems, technology-equipped classrooms, and secure fleet storage. The learning environment will give students authentic experience diagnosing problems, using industry-standard equipment, and working with traditional and emerging transportation technologies.

“This center will help us prepare students for essential careers, keep pace with rapidly changing transportation technology, and respond directly to employers’ workforce needs,” said Curtis Garand, program director for CNM’s Automotive, Diesel, and Electric Vehicle programs. “It creates a stronger pipeline of technicians who will be ready to contribute from day one.”

The opening continues CNM’s longstanding commitment to career technical education that leads to quality employment. Automotive Repair was among the original programs offered when the college opened as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, or TVI, in 1965. The new center carries that legacy forward by preparing the next generation of technicians for careers at automotive dealerships, repair shops, electric vehicle service centers, fleet operations, and other employers throughout the region.

Through this partnership, CNM and RRPS are sharing facilities and resources at a level that's unprecedented for a public school district and community college in New Mexico, expanding opportunities for students while boosting workforce development.

Learn more about RioTECH and CNM’s Automotive Technology, Electric Vehicle Technology, and Diesel Equipment Technology programs.