Beginning Freshman Orientation

Beginning freshmen are encouraged to complete New Student Orientation. Family members and allies can also show their support for their beginning freshmen.

Contact Us

Please contact us at [email protected] or call (505) 224-3352 if you need assistance. 

Start Strong with Orientation

Studies show that students who complete orientation have a higher success rate and understand what to expect as a new student.

In the CNM New Student Orientation, we'll show you how to check your student account registration holds and how to verify your address, phone number, program of study, and residency status. We'll also show you how to make an appointment with an advisor and register for classes. 

View the Spring 2025 Orientation Session Dates

Important Reminders 

  • Orientation is free! 
  • Be sure to have your CNM student ID number and username available. 
  • In addition to attending orientation, you should meet with an advisor. These two requirements can be completed in any order.
  • Advisement will not be offered during orientation sessions (except SOAR Orientations). 

Cancel or Reschedule

  1. Choose your orientation type: In-Person or Zoom. 
  2. Log in and select the term and campus session you wish to cancel.
  3. Find your session date and select Cancellation. 
  4. Once you have canceled, you can register for a different orientation. 

Orientation Options

Beginning freshmen can choose from In-Person Orientation or Online Orientation with a Zoom Session. 

Option 1: In-Person Orientation

We strongly encourage students to attend an in-person orientation session to satisfy their orientation requirement. 

Follow the steps below to register for an in-person orientation session: 

  1. Visit the In-Person Orientation Registration page. 
  2. Enter your CNM email address ([email protected]) and your myCNM password to log in. 
  3. Once you have successfully logged in, select the term for which you want to schedule your orientation, then select the campus.
  4. Review the dates and times, then select a date that best fits your schedule. 
    • Please note: In-person orientations are four hours long.  
  5. Complete the required fields by answering whether you require accommodations and specifying your request.
  6. Once you have completed the required fields, select Register. You will be redirected to a confirmation page.
  7. Read the confirmation page. A confirmation email will also be sent to your myCNM email account with other important information.

Option 2: Online Orientation

Students who prefer online interactions can complete a self-paced Online Orientation and Zoom session.

Step 1: Self-Paced Online Orientation

  1. Visit the Online Orientation page.
  2. The Online Orientation requires your CNM ID number so have it available when you begin.
  3. At the end of the online orientation, please print or take a screenshot of your completion page for your records.
  4. Once you've completed the correct online orientation with your correct CNM ID number, the orientation hold will be released from your student account.
  5. After you have completed the online orientation you can register for a virtual Zoom session.

Step 2: Zoom Session

After you have completed the Online Orientation, you will join a Zoom session where you will get to hear from guest speakers, meet other students, ask questions, and more. 

  1. Visit the Zoom Orientation Registration page. You will be asked to enter your CNM email address ([email protected]) and your myCNM password to log in. 
  2. Once you have successfully logged in, select the term for which you want to schedule your orientation, then select Zoom Orientation.
  3. Review the dates and times, then select a date that best fits your schedule. 
    • Please note: Zoom Orientations are one and a half hours long.
  4. Complete the required fields by answering whether you require accommodations and specifying your request. 
  5. Once you have completed the required fields, select Register. You will be redirected to a confirmation page.
  6. Read the confirmation page. A confirmation email will also be sent to your myCNM email account with other important information.

Additional Offering: SOAR Orientation

Student Recruitment and Outreach offers SOAR Orientation sessions for beginning freshmen who would like to take care of all requirements at once! These SOAR Orientations include the New Student Orientation as well as advisement and registration assistance. 

To attend a SOAR Orientation, you must have your ACT/SAT scores on file or have taken the Accuplacer/DSP. You must also make sure you have no additional admissions hold on your account. 

To get started, visit the In-Person Orientation Registration page and select the SOAR Orientation session. 

Show Your Support

Beginning freshmen are welcome to bring a family member or ally with them to In-Person Orientations; however, space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are unable to make it to an In-Person Orientation, we offer a Family and Ally Online Orientation module. 

Family and Ally Orientations

Family members, friends, and allies of new students are welcome to view a self-paced online orientation made specifically for them to learn about CNM and how to support their students. This online session takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Family and Ally Orientation