interviewed by Wendel Sloan
Communication Services
"My ENMU professors and advisors cared about me and my education. When I wanted to talk them they were always available. While attending (a California university), I saw my advisor once a year because there were too many students. She didn’t even know my name."– Danielle Owens
Editor's Note: ENMU grad Danielle Owens, Training and Technical Development Consultant for the Child Care Training and Technical Assistance Program (TTAP), began employment at ENMU on May 4.
In the interview below, the Child Care Trainer talks about her past, present and future aspirations.
Q. What are the main duties of your job?
Based on the needs of the community, child care centers, and home providers I developed and deliver individual or group trainings on a variety or early childhood topics. My duties also include verifying child care programs to ensure they are reaching their goals and providing quality care for the children they serve.
Q. What have you enjoyed most about your job, and what have been the biggest challenges?
What I love most, is a hard question to answer because I find my job in general very enjoyable. If I had to choose one most enjoyable part it would be our community involvement. We spend most of our time outside of the office, hosting workshops, providing onsite support to struggling classrooms, and working to reach high quality child care in our area. The biggest challenge for me has been learning all the centers in the counties we serve.
Q. What were you doing before you came to ENMU, and what other jobs have you held?
Before coming to ENMU, I was a full-time student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) working on a Child Development degree. While going to school there I worked as a peer mentor my sophomore year, responsible for tutoring and mentoring incoming freshman. Before I became a peer mentor I worked at a movie theater. I loved free movies; however, I now hate movie theater butter! That was my very first job and I loved it. 
Q. What are your degrees and majors?
After transferring from CSUDH I came to ENMU in 2013. I graduated with my BS in Early Childhood Education this year. I’m a proud Greyhound Alumni! #gohounds.
Q. Where were you born, raised, and what was your life like growing up?
I was born in Lynwood Calif, and raised in Compton, Calif. Growing up my life was pleasant. My parents and grandparents were very warm and welcoming. I lived with my mother and sister. My dad lived in Victorville, Calif. We spent summers and some weekends with him.
I enjoyed dancing and drill team. I started hip hop dancing and drill team when I was 7-ears-old. In high school I was the captain of the drill team/dance team. I loved competing and performing at football games. I attended Carson High School in Carson, Calif. Carson and Compton we’re neighboring cities. My mother worked and still works for the Compton City Hall and my father was and still is a construction worker.
Q. Your own family?
My family consists of my husband and me as of now. We’re not in a rush to change it. We’re really enjoying being together.
Q. What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are all hair related. I enjoy making wigs, exploring new hair styles, creating healthy hair masks, etc. I may even start a YouTube channel in the future.
Q. What is your ultimate career goal?
I don’t necessarily have an ultimate career goal. I have a life goal of wanting to affect positive change in the lives of young children. As long as whatever I’m doing in the field honors that, I’m reaching my goal.
Q. What gives your life meaning?
My life was given meaning when Christ died on the cross for my sins.
Q. What is your general impression of Portales, and ENMU?
Initially, my general impression was not very positive. I missed California’s palm trees and beautiful beaches. I was not at all happy that my husband’s job sent us here. Over time, I’ve come to really, really love Portales! I hate that it wasn’t instant; however, I love it here. I love the slow-paced tempo. The people are genuine and very nice. Portales is very calming.
My husband and I can see ourselves raising our children here. My first time coming to ENMU, I was impressed by the campus. It is beautiful. It made me feel a little better about being so far from home. My professors and advisors cared about me and my education. When I wanted to talk to them they were always available.
While attending CSUDH, I saw my advisor once a year because there were too many students in the program. She didn’t even know my name. At ENMU all of my professors and advisors knew who I was and cared enough to know my name. I love Portales and ENMU! I feel so very lucky to be a part of institution that really cares about student success!
Roosevelt County has a population of about 19,955 compared to Los Angeles County’s population of 10.02 million. I had no idea that such a small town would make such a huge POSITIVE impact on a city slicker like me!
