Emma Lynn Sandlin is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Visual Arts at Eastern New Mexico University with plans to obtain a career in the art world. Her goal is to "be able to keep expanding my artistic abilities and to have people enjoy my art."

The sophomore, who has been on the dean's list every semester during her time at Eastern, says her lifelong love of drawing is why she chose her major. She advises students interested in studying art to practice frequently and have patience.

Emma was born in Clovis, New Mexico, and raised in Springer, New Mexico. She has one older sister, Chloe, who graduated from Regis University in May. Her father works for the Colfax County Assessor's Office and is a GIS mapper. Her mother, who received a bachelor's and master's degree from ENMU, is an in-home babysitter.

Eastern was Emma's school of choice because her mother attended and the University has a "good art department." She enjoys being able to know her classmates within small class settings.

Emma was an online student her freshman year; she hoped to live on-campus at the start of her sophomore year in fall 2020, but those plans were deterred by the pandemic.

The student's mentors at ENMU include Scott Golem, an assistant professor of art with a focus in graphic design, and Alla Parsons, an assistant professor of art with a focus in two-dimensional studio art. "Both have helped me to expand my creativity and technique," says Emma, who adds that she has loved all of her art classes because they "have all shown me new things."

Emma, who volunteered at the Santa Fe Trail Museum in her hometown before the pandemic, would "love to visit war museums around the world like Pearl Harbor and especially ones in Germany."

The owner of four cats has an interest in both world wars, as well as gaming.

Emma at Disneyland with her best friend Joseph DeHerrera, a student at Eastern.