Category: Student News

Career Connections That Keep People Smiling

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Story by Angela Harrington

Staff Reporter

Photo provided by Dental Wellness. Pictured: Leyra Leyva (CNM graduate), Viridiana Murga, Dr. Fielfer Murga, Zoila Murga, Gladis Sanchez (CNM graduate), Jorge Gastelum

The CNM Dental Assisting Program has a positive impact for students and dentists alike.

When Dr. Fielfer Murga bought his practice, Dental Wellness, he knew that the staff he would be hiring would need to be a good fit for the team, so he reached out to CNM to help him.

“When I purchased the practice, the previous doctor told me that he had some connections with CNM. Then a graduate of the program came in to apply and we liked her and her work, so we contacted CNM that we wanted to work with their students,” Dr. Murga said.

One such student is 2018 CNM graduate Leyra Leyva. She said that it wasn’t until after she started attending CNM that she decided to enter the Dental Assisting Program.

“Once I started the program, I really realized how important it is to take care of your teeth,” Leyva said.

Leyva was sent to Dental Wellness for her second clinical assignment, and she has been employed there since that time, she said.

Dr. Murga said, “That’s why I like the program, because sometimes you can tell if a potential employee is a good match for you. Every dentist is different, so sometimes there is a match for me and sometimes not. If it is definitely a match, we will hire them on the spot!”

2019 CNM graduate Gladis Sanchez, said she knew before she started taking classes that she wanted to complete the Dental Assisting Program.

Her first clinical assignment brought her to Dental Wellness, and she was hired.

“I have learned a lot here. I love it!” Sanchez said.

Dr. Murga said that the people he likes to hire are those that love to ask questions and who are curious. 

CNM graduate Jennifer Medina received her certificate just a couple of weeks ago and is happy to be a part of the team at Dental Wellness, she said.

“Once I took the dental science class at the beginning of the program, I thought it was really interesting and I knew that this was the program for me,” Medina said.

When it comes to staffing his practice, Dr. Murga said that CNM has been, and will continue to be, a great resource for him.

The Signs are up at Starbucks

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

The signs are up for the new Starbuck’s at CNM’s Marketplace, but the store has not announced an opening date, as the campus prepares for the onset of the Fall Semester. While the Marketplace Bookstore is open to patrons wearing masks, construction was continuing on the interior of the Starbucks, as of Friday, August 27. Signage on the Starbucks University Boulevard entrance indicates that Starbucks will be “coming soon.” Outdoor tables are already placed on a patio, marked by the familiar Starbucks emblem on a wall clearly visible from University Boulevard.

Vaccination Mandate Approved by CNM Governing Board

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By Daniel Johnson

Editor in Chief

The Zoom Governing Board meeting held on Wednesday August 8th which consisted of Chairman Thomas Swisstack, Pauline Garcia, James Chavez, Annette Chavez y De La Cruz, Nancy Baca and Robert Schoenfelder voted, in a roll call vote, to approve CNM President Tracy Hartzler’s plan for a vaccine and mask mandate as presented on the CNM website– A Vote to Affirm the Mandatory Covid Vaccination Policy for Faculty Staff, and Students.

In casting his vote, Swisstack said the measure was necessary to protect folks at CNM from “the more contagious Delta Variant” (of the Covid-19 Virus.)

 Baca applauded President Hartzler for her hard work in putting together the policy.

No other questions, comments, or discussion, on the mandate were discussed at that time measure.

At its Public work meeting of August 4, the board had asked President Hartzler to consult with legal counsel as to whether a board vote was necessary to make the mandatory vaccine policy effective, or whether she had authority to implement the policy on her own.

The meeting on August 8th was originally scheduled for in person at Smith-Brasher Hall, but Swisstak said he switched it to remote, because, under President Harztler’s policy, the board members would have been required to wear masks, and that he has a hard time hearing people speaking through masks.

New KC Grass Is Unreal

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Photo by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

Franken Construction workers install artificial grass.

The soon-to-be sculpture garden at Ken Chappy Hall on Main Campus is getting some drought protection in the form of artificial grass, as workers under the supervision of Franken Construction of Albuquerque wield their gardening tools on July 27th.  The artificial grass is pretty green, but that’s true of most grass on the other side of the construction fence.

The Yellow Phase

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Photo by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

Matteucci Hall in the yellow phase.

Construction of the Catering Faculty/Brewery at Robert P. Matteucci Hall on CNM’s Main Campus has solidified to a temporary yellow phase, as workers, under the supervision of Brycon Construction of Albuquerque, make the turn for the homestretch of the project.  This photo shows progress as of July 21st.

Jobs for All

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Jobs for All

Story by Angela Harrington

Staff Reporter

CNM offers current students and all CNM graduates assistance with job placement, said Stacey Cooley Associate Director of Career Services at CNM.

A recent job fair held by CNM Career Services hosted a multitude of employers and had food and beverage trucks on site for the event.

According to Cooley, the CNM Jobs Database Hire a Suncat has seen an increase in the number of businesses that are interested in posting jobs.

“There is a high demand; we allow employers to post jobs for free and then we do outreach to students via Hire a Suncat,” said Cooley.

Because all students have an account at Hire a Suncat, they are notified when a new job posting that relates to their certificate or degree becomes available, Cooley said.

“We can help with resumes, cover letters, practice interviews, and job search through the databases,” said Cooley.

Cooley said these services are available to current students as well as all previous CNM graduates.

“There are a lot of CNM graduates out there, so that includes a whole lot of people,” said Cooley.

CNM graduates receive CNM career office services for life, stated Cooley.

“The whole thing, all the workshops, one-on-one assistance, whether virtual or in person, the whole thing, for life,” Cooley said.

Virtual and in-person career coaching is available through CNM Career Services Monday through Friday 10am – 3pm.

Setting the Stages

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Photo by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

The concrete podiums are installed for sculptures that will grace Ken Chappy Hall’s outdoor south side courtyard.  Workers under the supervision of Franken Construction Company of Albuquerque, are working toward completion of the remodel of KC by beginning of Fall Semester.  This photo shows progress as of July 14th.  

CNM to Buy UNM Student Family Housing Property

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Story and Photo by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

Family Housing Units to be demolished, as CNM to acquire property from UNM

The CNM Governing Board voted July 13th to purchase property from the University of New Mexico, along Buena Vista Avenue, on the southeast side of CNM’s Main Campus.  The property has been used for student family housing for UNM students.
The vote at the Board’s regular meeting was unanimous to purchase the property for 1.5 million dollars, but the sale must still be approved by the UNM Board of Regents, CNM officials said.
The tenants have already vacated the units in anticipation of the sale, CNM officials said, and it is expected that the sale will go through without controversy.  
CNM will tear down the housing units, but what exactly CNM will do with the property is yet to be determined, CNM officials said.

The American Families Plan: Colleges Wait and Wonder

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Story by Angela Harrington

Staff Reporter

As the American Families Plan moves closer to legislative action, CNM, like many community colleges across the U.S., will be watching and waiting to see what happens, said CNM’s Interim Vice President of Student Services, Ann Lyn Hall.

 The bill proposes to make two years of community college free for students according to Fact Sheet: The American Families Plan | The White House

CNM leadership is continuing to monitor this bill because students, staff, and faculty all want to know what is going to happen with it, she said.

“We do believe that making community college free, or more affordable, will really help our community and our students. We definitely see a major impact in New Mexico if this bill is passed,” she said.

According to Fact Sheet: The American Families Plan | The White House, the legislation also proposes an increase of $1400 to the amount awarded through the Pell Grant.

Having a larger Pell Grant would also help students because that not only pays for tuition and fees but also helps students pay for other costs as well, said Hall.

According to Hall, this could help students to stay in school and be able to finish a degree because finances would be less of a barrier.

“Nobody comes to school to not complete. People come to school because they have something that they want to do. So, my sense is something like this legislation would really allow some additional resources to help students meet those goals,” stated Hall.

For the school, according to Hall, the benefits proposed in the plan could equate to higher enrollment rates and better student retention.

RIO RANCHO CAMPUS BEGINS TO BLOOM

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Writer

Two huge “CNM” block-letter signs and a large solar panel welcome visitors to the CNM Rio Rancho campus, located near the edge of the desert, at the end of a road that passes by Rio Ranch City Hall. 

About a 30-minute drive due north of Main Campus, the Rio Rancho campus, at 2601 Campus Boulevard, Northeast, has won recognition for its energy-efficient design.  It consists of one 62,000 square foot, mostly red-brick building, with many large windows that afford spectacular views of the desert.

Rio Rancho takes advantage of nature’s gifts.  Solar panels are placed strategically around campus to provide power.   A deep-well system brings up water from the earth at a temperature of 68 degrees, Fahrenheit. The water then heats the building in winter, and cools it in summer, according to a CNM website.

(slide show)

A concrete path by the north parking lot puts a person right at desert’s edge, and a sign explains what kind of flora an fauna one is likely to find in the area.   Personnel at the front desk say they sometimes have to shoo rattlesnakes from the parking lot.   Hawks, ravens, spiders, and coyotes also enjoy this environment.

And now more people are returning, after a Covid-induced drought of more than a year.  CNM employees at the front desk, say that students are beginning to trickle in to register and receive academic coaching, as Fall Semester approaches.

Today, a group of prospective electric linemen are seen on the grounds east of the main building, addressing a set of utility poles, undeterred by a few raindrops on this cloudy day of June 30, 2021.  A mobile unit parked east-side enables welding students to pursue their craft outside.

Inside the building, class-room chairs are still stowed on the top of desks.  Tables and chairs in RR building’s central courtyard, and various alcoves around the building await users.

The Rio Rancho campus, when it is going full-bore, may serve upwards of 1800 students who come to attend classes in general studies, but also receive specialized training in nursing, paramedics, teaching, business, and more.

Built more than a decade ago, the Rio Rancho campus seems adjusted to its place in the desert.  The campus provides a comfortable venue for a student to find a spot to sit and observe the desert as it comes to bloom again.