This CCHS Student is Graduating with Eight Degrees and Three Certificates

Garrick Tam always had ambitious goals so when he learned about CNM’s College and Career High School (CCHS), he was all in.

“I knew I wanted to study something science related and that I wanted to get a head start on my college courses, and CCHS checked all those boxes,” he says.

Garrick started by studying pre-health sciences and then pivoted to a broader range of disciplines including math, physics, chemistry, biology, and biotechnology.

Over time he developed an interest in conducting scientific research and was inspired to apply for a position at a UNM research lab. In that role he helps conduct experiments on microscopic worms and monitors biochemical changes.

Walking into a research lab was intimidating but Garrick said he felt plenty confident thanks to the skills he gained at CCHS.

“CNM’s biotechnology classes prepared me very well and what I learned in those classes is what inspired me to pursue a research opportunity like this,” he says. “I wouldn’t have considered a career in research without what I learned in the program.”

Thanks to a very ambitious four years at CCHS, Garrick will graduate on May 2 with associate degrees from CNM’s Integrated Studies, Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, and Pre-Health Sciences programs, along with certificates in biotechnology, general studies, and pre-health sciences.

In total, Garrick and his classmates will be graduating with 4,409 college credit hours, 77 associate degrees, 84 college certificates, and will have saved over $370,000 in tuition.

After graduation, Garrick will attend UNM where he plans to get a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and then apply to a combined Masters/PhD program to achieve his ultimate goal of becoming a scientific researcher.

His biggest piece of advice for other high school students looking to get ahead? Dual credit is your path forward.

“CCHS was a great place to discover what I was passionate about and explore different educational and career paths,” he says. “If you have the opportunity to attend CCHS I’d say go for it.”

CCHS is located on CNM’s Main Campus and is operated through a partnership with Albuquerque Public Schools. Enrolled students take CNM dual-credit classes that count towards their high school diploma and various CNM associate degree and certificate programs, all tuition free.