CNM Announces First Vice President of Education & Learning

After an extensive national search process, CNM has selected its first Vice President of Education & Learning. Dr. Amardeep Kahlon, currently Vice President of Academic Affairs at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, will join the CNM community and begin serving in her important leadership role in January 2024.

“I’m confident that Dr. Kahlon is the right leader at the right time to position CNM for future success in a fast-changing higher education landscape,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “She has the combination of leadership skills and innovative mindset that has led to proven successes in academic, workforce and curriculum development, as well as internal and external partnership-building that are vital for this position.”

“I am delighted to become a part of Central New Mexico Community College, an institution that is dedicated to transforming lives and fostering a sense of community through a blend of innovation and education,” said Dr. Kahlon. “As we navigate the ongoing, rapid evolution of higher education and industry in the 21st century, I am excited about collaborating with CNM's outstanding faculty and staff to empower the learners for the new economy and advance the college toward a sustainable, successful, and thriving future.”

As part of Dr. Kahlon’s very impressive career, she served as a faculty member at Austin Community College in Texas for 20-plus years, teaching Computer Science & Information Technology. She has also been a highly regarded leader at the forefront of competency-based education, serving on the Board of Directors for the Competency-Based Education Network and serving as Director of Fast Track to Success at Austin Community College (ACC). In this role at ACC, she helped lead statewide efforts to expand competency-based education in workforce and career technical education programs, establishing partnerships with local industry for work-based learning opportunities and competency validation. She was profiled by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a Top 10 Trailblazer for her work in competency-based education.

As Vice President of Academic Affairs for Paradise Valley Community College, she collaborated with business and industry and public schools to create stronger career pathways and expanded upskilling offerings. She also possesses valuable experience working across divisions – partnering with the VP of Student Affairs and VP of Administrative Services to develop enrollment strategies that led to impressive gains in 2023.

As Dean for the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions at Unity College in Maine, she built the framework of an innovative, competency-based workforce education and training program with strategies to prepare traditional and non-traditional learners for successful outcomes. She also spearheaded the development of industry-aligned curricula delivered in flexible modalities to meet student needs while partnering closely with a wide range of workforce sectors.

Dr. Kahlon’s experience and her vision for the future of higher education, especially community college education and workforce training, synchronizes with CNM’s strategic direction.

“I’m confident Dr. Kahlon will be an inspirational leader for our students; for all of our faculty and staff in Academic Affairs; our employees across the college; and our partners and stakeholders in the community,” said President Hartzler. “She will help us advance our vision of “Changing Lives, Building Community.

“I look forward to everybody meeting and welcoming Dr. Kahlon when she arrives on campus and joins our CNM community in January.”