Tracy Hartzler, president of Central New Mexico Community College, delivered an engaging and inspiring presentation to the Board of Directors at the Nov. 20 meeting.
President Hartzler highlighted CNM’s continued excellence in preparing New Mexico’s workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow emphasizing the college’s vital role in our state’s economic development. She also shared the exciting news that CNM has again been recognized among the top 200 community colleges in the United States — a testament to the institution’s commitment to accessible, high-quality education and its meaningful impact on students and employers throughout our region.
She then discussed CNM’s role as an economic engine for New Mexico pointing out the following:
- CNM is New Mexico’s largest education institution
- 84% of CNM students graduate debt-free
- Ranked No. 1 for number of associate degrees and certificates earned by Native American students
- Ranked No. 1 for number of associate degrees and certificates earned by Hispanic students
- Ranked No. 2 for total number of associate degrees and certificates earned.
Hartzler said as CNM continues to develop its education plan, its goal is to have students get out into the local workforce and make an impact.
It’s also the reason why CNM works on developing ways for students to get paid internships and responsive programming. Here’s the results for FY25:
- 325 placed interns (FY25)
- 95% paid internships
- Enables career exploration
- Expands employee pipeline
- Increased programming options to meet workforce and learner needs
- Accelerated programming development for industry responsiveness
- Enhanced focus on adult learning, training, reskilling and upskilling
- Awarded 3,108 workforce training program scholarships (FY25)
Hartzler said, “by offering paid internships, students will be able to not have multiple jobs while in school.”
She said CNM is seeing growth with students coming back to finish a degree or obtain another.
“CNM sets a student on a path in a cost-effective way and most students come to CNM for applied learning,” Hartzler said.
She said CNM has a one-stop shop called Hire CNM at cnm.edu/workforce-community/hirecnm, where local businesses can look to hire CNM students.
President Hartzler thanked the board for their ongoing support and the Chamber for its support before local governmental bodies and the Legislature.