My name is Dominique Stettler I'm studying Elementary education, and I chose this field because I knew I really wanted to help students and learn. Throughout grade school I saw the teachers helping me and I wanted to be there for someone to help them.

Tell us about yourself.

I have an older sister and a younger brother, I like to play lacrosse because I am from Pennsylvania. I was trying to get a club started here but that didn’t really work because there's no one knows what lacrosse is. I like to go to the max pack and work out. I have a dog that I like to take for walks around campus, because campus is very pretty. I also have a hedgehog her name is Heidi, I like to read. Reading is a big thing of mine especially over the summer time and when COVID happened I didn't have anything else to do and I didn't want to be on Tik Tok. So I like to read and do that and just be involved on campus I love doing different organizations like different things that organizations put on around campus like homecoming is big for me. I love participating in homecoming, last year we did a homecoming float for housing and it was Jurassic Park themed since the theme for homecoming was coming back to life so our Banner said if the dinosaurs can come back so can Eastern and housing actually got the most outstanding float prize for it and I did the homecoming mum which I got first place in.

Why did you choose to attend ENMU?

I moved to New Mexico to spend my senior year with my grandparents because my grandfather was not doing well my senior year. After that I decided to come to Eastern New Mexico University that way I could spend more time with my grandfather and my grandma at the same time.

What do you hope to pursue as a career?

I hope to be a special education teacher either fifth or sixth grade. I also really like first grade, I want to teach math, but honestly I just want to be with kids and help them prosper. Ultimately I want to be that teacher where I go to their graduation and they still remember me from when I taught them as like a fifth grader or a first grader I really want to do that.

What is your favorite part about being a Greyhound?

I love campus here since I am from Pennsylvania I love green scenery and I love that physical plant does keep the scenery green and alive and pretty looking. I love the flowers too over by the Food Services building it's a really pretty.

What academic honors have you had at ENMU?

I actually get the boundless opportunity scholarship which is offered from the president's office, I got that in the fall this year and then the spring last year. I was a dog days counselor last year and I was involved in Educators Rising.

What is Educators Rising?

Educators Rising is an organization where future Educators get to meet and we get to do a bunch of conferences and basically professional development learning where we get to learn more about our field and how we can be better Educators now as a college student.

What is your favorite place on ENMU campus?

My favorite place on the ENMU campus is over the bridge, there are rocks that spell out ENMU and when I was here during COVID I would walk over there a lot and I saw those rocks and I was like wow I love that. That's kind of a weird spot but I love those rocks.

What was it like on campus during the pandemic?

I got to stay during COVID it was very sad seeing campus empty, so empty I was here all of my sophomore year. I lived in Eddie Hall as an R.A then I basically had to monitor Eddie, me and two other people. There was nobody else here on campus, campus was completely shut down but I was still here but yeah it's a lot different. Now seeing all these people here after being here for three years now this is my fourth year and now there's actually people back on campus.

What professors have helped mentor you during your time at ENMU?

Mrs. Schneider is actually the one that's actually helped me. She helped guide me through different directions and open new opportunities for me. She showed me that I can do other stuff on campus and what opportunities are available on campus for freshmen, and then I was able to show freshmen when I was her first year seminar supplemental instructor.

What has been your favorite class at ENMU?

My favorite class here at ENMU was with Dr. Shaughnessy SPED 300. He makes class so alive and you’re never bored, it's never a dull moment in his class.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in your field of study?

Get involved definitely get involved if you are wanting to be a teacher. Get involved with the university and the resources that we do have, we have so many resources for teachers. There is stuff in the GSSC, there are different organizations we've got Educators Rising we have Kappa Delta Pi. The teachers over there are so willing to help you and want you to succeed so definitely get involved and reach out don't stay quiet.