ENMU is the youngest university in New Mexico having just celebrated its 75th anniversary. The…read morebackground of ENMU is that of liberal arts with a recognized music program. The university offers over 60 degrees from associate to masters level. Eastern has one of the lowest tuition rates in New Mexico. The option to work on 100% online degrees is provided with 8 undergraduate and 9 graduate programs. Eastern is located on the Eastern border of New Mexico and Texas. The campus is located in Portales, NM, a town of about 17,000. Approximately 20 miles NE is Clovis and Cannon AFB with a population of about 35,000. The nearest large cities are Amarillo, TX and Lubbock, TX. The campus itself is relatively small in size when compared to other universities such as New Mexico State University or University of New Mexico. Several projects to renew/rebuild buildings are currently in works. The most recent upgrade was the building of a new music building. On the books are the building of a new tech building and possible upgrades to the liberal arts building. The population of the university is very diversified with a noted population of first generation college students. There is a program in place that allows Chinese students to come study at ENMU for two years and then on returning to China they complete the remainder of their education. Classes are relatively small allowing for more interaction with instructors and professors. There is also a strong athletic program ranging from football to soccer.

You know ... I read a lot about the cost of higher education these days. Let's be real, the cost of…read morehigher education and the resulting student loans is tremendous; it seems like many people who graduate with a college degree feel like they didn't really learn anything valuable and feel like they wasted their time getting that degree. But ... even with the low price tag, I believe ENMU is different. I think attending any small institution would have certain benefits -- more hands-on work, faculty and staff who aren't juggling classrooms of 100s of students so they know students' names, etc. However, as a mother of three, knowing my oldest child will be attending next year, I have confidence that this is the right place for him because I know he's going to be somewhere he REALLY matters to his professors and the staff around him. I know that he will be more than just someone's paycheck or a number in a sea of numbers because so many people here really do care about each individual person who attends this university. I graduated with a bachelor's degree from ENMU in the early 90s and I am currently working on my master's at ENMU (after more than 20 years out of the classroom, egad!). Consistently throughout the years, I have found that Eastern New Mexico University has a genuine culture of really caring about students and their success not only in the classroom but outside of the college community as well. I have personally witnessed staff members take money out of their own pocket to help a student pay their electric bill or buy groceries, and these are not isolated incidents. It's just ... Eastern. ENMU. It's our family. It's the Eastern Way. I feel like I gained far more than an education and preparation for a career during my undergrad years. ENMU has played an integral role in my life as a student, and now as an ENMU employee and a working mother. As an editor by trade, through my work, I have the opportunity to read a great deal of the content on the website and many publications from academic programs and student services areas. I see the great things our programs and services provide to our students, many who of whom would likely fall through the cracks at a larger school or maybe even drop out of college altogether. I believe in what we are doing here to provide an opportunity for students to gain knowledge and personal growth that can provide them a path to a better quality of life. This helps strengthen our communities, and ultimately, makes our world a little better place. Some of the academic programs are really strong here and some are not as strong, and as with any large group or institution, there are a few bad apples among us, but all in all, ENMU is foundationally a good place with good people who are doing a great deal to help students find their success. What every graduate leaves with, in addition to their degree and the actual experience they have in their discipline (with loads of opportunities for hands-on learning, ENMU graduates are sought out in certain fields because they can hit the ground running in the professional realm!) is the knowledge that they have a family and home in ENMU.