Kadie Kiehne, an early childhood education major at Eastern New Mexico University, found her love for children in a preschool classroom while serving as a teacher's aide during her senior year of high school.

Though she has always loved children, the passion she felt for kids in the preschool classroom made her career choice evident. It was the "atmosphere, energy and relationships" that sparked her realization. Her time in the classroom quickly became the "highlight" of her day.

"The classroom radiated with love and acceptance. Slowly, I began to notice that I became a role model, something extremely special in the eyes of the children," she said. "They became equally important to me as I was to them. I was astonished by the impact I held in these children's lives."

After graduating with the class of 2014 from Magdalena High School in Magdalena, New Mexico, she has eagerly pursued her degree in early childhood education to "learn and study how to better serve every child during this important stage of his/her life."

Kadie plans to graduate from ENMU in May 2018.

She grew up on a ranch with her two sisters on the San Augustine Plains in Datil, New Mexico, where both of her parents raised and sold cattle and horses. The nearest town was several miles away.

She had a loving family that taught her the value of hard work.

"I do not believe that there was ever a life more exciting and marvelous than mine, growing up on a cattle ranch," she said. "Some may call where I grew up the middle of nowhere, but it was the center of my world. I could not have been more blessed."

Her older sister recently received a bachelor's degree from Eastern and introduced Kadie to the idea of attending. Her high school was small, so attending ENMU felt like a good next step due to the size of the university. She also had family in the area, providing her with a support system away from home.

She shared, "I wasn't passionate about school until I came to Eastern New Mexico University. Some of my favorite moments here were when I would attend classes and listen to lectures that kept me interested in subjects I had never liked before."

Her learning experience kept her on the edge of her seat, with "her head in a book," because the professors truly cared about what they were teaching. Her studies "entranced her."

When enrolling in her first college math class, she knew math was not her strong suit. However, with encouragement from her professor, she passed with flying colors.

"She was amazing," Kadie said. "I found myself soaring through her course. I have never been the best at math, but I have never lacked perseverance and work ethic. With my hard work ethic and my professor's support, I passed my first math course with an A."

The passionate student was amazed that her teacher genuinely cared so much, so she took a second math class with her. She "no longer felt like that dumb girl who couldn't understand math."

Alongside her coursework, she also worked at the Childhood Development Center.

"While working at the Child Development Center, I felt as though I truly belonged. I was making a positive difference in so many children's lives," she said. "What the Child Development Center does for children is remarkable."

Kadie has been on the Dean's List for three consecutive years. She has maintained the Lottery Scholarship and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.

One of the challenges Kadie has overcome at ENMU is her lack of confidence. She admitted to struggling with believing in herself, but Eastern gave her "the extra push" she needed to become confident in her accomplishments.

"I have been faced with so many wonderful opportunities here at Eastern. More importantly, I have had to learn how to believe that I am capable of going after them," she said. "ENMU opened doors for me. It had taken several accomplishments before I learned that I am able."

Kadie has enjoyed her college experience at Eastern because it has allowed her to grow as a person. She feels "successful," not only in class but in all areas of life.

"I now know that I am completely capable of taking on adversity," she said. "I am capable. I am smart. I am chasing my dreams every day here at Eastern New Mexico University."