The Child Development Center provides preschool for children ages 3-5. It also provides ENMU students in a variety of majors laboratory learning opportunities.

"If the question was who has the advantage of the CDC (Child Development Center)…lots and lots of people do. Anyone on campus is welcome to observe," said Ms. Vaughan.

One of the biggest challenges that Ms. Vaughan faced while starting her new position was that she started in week 2 of the semester. Classes had already started by the time she came in as an instructor.

"The biggest challenge by far was to keep up with my college students and to prepare for them in the first place, but I love my course; love it, love it," said the new/old employee.

Ms. Vaughan has enjoyed meeting and introducing "tiny humans" (as she likes to call them) and their families to the CDC--as well as working with other teachers and student workers. She loves leading and helping people be successful in their own pursuits. She believes it is a privilege to support people in doing that.

Ms. Vaughan has had previous experience at Eastern. She first worked at ENMU when she was enrolled for graduate school as a graduate assistant for the college of Education. Her tasks included performing research alongside professors. Secondly, she worked as master teacher for the Child Development Center for two and a half years before moving to Santa Fe to work as a preschool teacher and in early intervention.

"…really, really enjoyed the culture up there a lot," said Ms. Vaughan, "Lived in the mountains and hiked. I enjoyed it."

As a child Ms. Vaughan grew up on a lake in Rockwall, Texas. She enjoys being outside and riding her bike. She believes Portales is the ideal place to ride a bike since it is small enough and the weather is usually pleasant.

Ms. Vaughan completed her undergraduate degree at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. Her undergraduate degree focused on low-incidence disabilities. In May of 2015, she graduated from ENMU with a master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education.

Her ultimate goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in order to be able to teach for higher education. It would be a bittersweet experience for her since she enjoys teaching college students but would not enjoy being away from tiny humans.

One of the things that brings meaning to her life is being able to teach tiny humans and mentoring teachers. She is delighted to be able to share her knowledge with others because they share it with more people.