Diana Cordova graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a master's degree in education with a 4.0 GPA in 2006 and has served as director of Multicultural Affairs at the University for over 20 years.
When asked why she chose to attend ENMU, Diana shares, "ENMU chose me."
Diana discusses the reasons she was inspired to take on the role in Multicultural Affairs: "I have traveled and lived in different parts of the world. Nobody in my family is married to the same race and ethnicity. I speak several languages, and I thought the job description fit my knowledge and experiences."
Her duties as director include programming events and offering an open-door policy to anyone who enters the Multicultural Affairs area. 'Multicultural Affairs is committed to the belief that a rich multicultural environment enhances university academic and social life," she says. "We are a resource center to promote success."
Her favorite part of the position is "seeing how students gain passion and respect for another culture."
She offers advice to students interested in pursuing a similar career path: "Golden Rule: Love one another and never assume by appearance."
Diana is a member of the ENMU Alumni Association Board. She explains, "Since ENMU gave me such an amazing opportunity to work in my field, I felt I had to give back, and what better way than belong to the Alumni Association and become an ambassador for ENMU. I have been a part of planning events and participate in different committees like Marketing, Nominations and Greyhound4Life. I have had the honor of being in the Search Committee to hire the director of Alumni Affairs, twice, with the current Alumni Association Board president, Trish Maguire."
She is involved in a variety of organizations, serving as the supervisory chair at Cannon Federal Credit Union, secretary on the Executive Board of the New Mexico Humanities Council, co-founder of the Catholic Women's Group at Sacred Heart Church in Clovis, and advisor to the ENMU International Club, which she founded during her time, as a student at Eastern. She is a member of the United Way Women's Initiative Network, the Archbishop Pastoral Council and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
She married "an amazing 'Clovis Man'" and had two children, one of whom graduated from ENMU five years ago and served as president of the University's Zeta Tau Alpha chapter. "We are starting a legacy," says Diana.
Her favorite accomplishments include "becoming a U.S. citizen, raising children in a country that is not mine, buying a home and receiving a Spirit of Eastern Award."
The former admissions counselor shares details about her role models: "My parents and grandparents were outstanding role models. I realized now that attending an all-girl Catholic school and wearing uniform, gave me a culture of achievement and self-confidence because the school truly capitalize on girls' unique learning styles. God is my constant role model because faith always directs me to perform the right judgment."
She also had "two magnificent and supportive mentors as a student at ENMU: Dr. Garrett and Dr. Isham. Their classes were excellent, especially Document Research."
After retirement, Diana plans to become a "full-time RV-er in North America with my husband." Her hobbies include rescuing dogs, enjoying the outdoors, hiking and watersports.
