Central New Mexico Community College

History:

In its 40-year history, Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) has transitioned from a trade school to a community college and become the second largest educational institution in New Mexico.  More than 26,000 students currently attend classes at four campuses and a Workforce Training Center in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

Established in 1965 as Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI), the college's mission was to provide adults with marketable skills and the related education needed to succeed in an occupation.  That mission continues today.

The idea for the college was developed in the early 1960s by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) officials and spearheaded by Superintendent Charles Spain, who appointed a 63-member planning committee that included APS representatives and community members.

Authorized by the State Legislature in 1963 (HB 129) and by district voters on Sept. 25, 1964, TVI opened officially on July 1, 1965, as part of the APS district.  The APS Board of Education doubled as TVI's Governing Board and the Institute's boundaries mirrored those of APS.