By Gabrielle Smith
Catalina Arana-Mendoza graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in the height of the pandemic of May 2020.
She was born in Denver, CO, but spent most of her childhood in Chihuahua, Mexico before moving to Portales, NM when she was just 12 years old. Living in Portales made going to ENMU the perfect school for her.
“Since I was a little girl, I was taught that family is very important. When I was choosing where to go to school, I chose ENMU because it was in close range to where I lived,” Arana-Mendoza stated. She also mentioned that ENMU was one of the most affordable amongst other schools.
While at ENMU she knew that she always wanted to work with children.
“I originally wanted to be a teacher, but we make plans [for ourselves] and life has others [plans] for us.” She continued to say that she was wanting “to help kids how my teachers [had] helped me as I was attending school as an English learner.”
So, after some time of exploring degree options she decided to major in Spanish with a double minor in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education.
Catalina’s degree is truly one of kind, but her favorite part about her degree?
“All the history I learned about my culture as well as other cultures,” she said. She also went onto say that she enjoys learning the ways of the Spanish language.
For people who are considering pursuing the same degree as her, she suggested,
“Pay attention to everything because it is fascinating learning how everything in a language has a meaning behind [it] as well as a history,” Catalina said.
In addition to staying close to family and pursuing a degree that she absolutely loves she mentioned that the experience she had at ENMU was overall “wonderful.” While at ENMU she was involved in many clubs.
“With my extrovert personality it was easy for me to make a lot of connections with other students,” she said. Catalina was involved in various organizations at ENMU.
, “I was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society, Spanish Club, and Student Government.” Between being members of all of these organizations she was also the homecoming queen in 2018 and worked in the Hispanic Affairs office.
The experience and practice she gained from the organizations that she was involved in as well as working in the Hispanic Affairs office helping plan events is where she discovered her passion. She mentioned that she will go back to school and receive her master’s degree in communications. She ultimately hopes to accomplish being a businesswoman.
“After my masters I would like to open up my own event center,” she said.
Just because an individual is no longer in school does not mean that they stop learning.
“One skill that has helped me a lot since graduating is realizing that not everyone is the same and I have to learn to adjust how I communicate and treat them,” she said. “I also learned that cultures have very different ways and not to criticize because it is not the ‘normal’ way of doing something,” she said.
Arana-Mendoza mentioned that there are some things that people do in one culture that are disrespectful in another.
“Not only was I taught different skills to be more comprehensive, but to be more caring and compassionate as well,” she stated. All of the skills that she has learned has helped to shape her into the person that she is today.
Life after graduation is much different from the constant energy it takes to be in school. Arana-Mendoza said that life after graduation is different.
“As a college student you are always worried about deadlines and under so much pressure for assignments and tests.”
Now that she is out of school, she has been able to enjoy more time with her loved ones as well as taking care of herself “spiritually, mentally, and physically.” She continues to claim that life outside of school is more “relaxed,” but she does find herself bored at times, wishing she had something to do, like homework or school work.
While reflecting back at her ENMU days Arana-Mendoza said,
“I love Eastern because it is the definition of a family. Everyone looks out for each other and you are not treated as a number, but instead as an individual.”
Nowadays Arana-Mendoza has been spending more time with her family.
“I am currently in Mexico helping my parents. I realized that as I grow up, they grow old too, so I have been trying to be there and help as much as possible for them,” she said.
Some advice for people who are about to graduate,
“Do what makes you happy and follow your dreams,” said Arana-Mendoza. She added,. “The sky is not the limit, there is still a universe after it.”
For incoming freshmen, Arana-Mendoza encouraged that they become involved and that they do not rush themselves to accomplish something.
“You do not have to run to reach your goal. As long as you take a step, every time you will get closer,” said Arana-Mendoza.
Apart from spending time with her family, Catalina enjoys doing outdoor activities, appreciating nature, dancing, and eating good food. Aside from one day opening up her own event center, Catalina has other dreams.
“I want to travel the world and learn about other cultures. I believe that putting yourself in other people’s shoes makes a difference on how you treat others,” she said.
