Linda Ramos, who graduated from Eastern New Mexico University with a bachelor's degree in communication with an emphasis in broadcast production with a minor in Spanish in 2016, is back at ENMU to showcase her Greyhound spirit as the coordinator of the Campus Union.
The Greyhound Grad is involved in all events that take place in the Campus Union, including movie nights, karaoke nights, casino nights and comedians. She covers facility requests for tabling, helps with the Safe Ride program and makes sure all of the student organizations are approved and have an advisor.
"After doing so much at Eastern as a student, I realized that this position was going to be the best fit for me," said Linda, who was a member of Chi Omega for four years and served as president of the ENMU Spanish Club.
Her favorite part of the job is working with students to prepare for Dawg Days. "They are already excited for it, and I am glad I can help them out," she said.
Linda's goal for the position is to "encourage students to be more involved and show them what Eastern is all about. I want to be able to guide them and show them that there are so many things on campus they can do if they ever feel lonely."
She loves ENMU's events and would like to see "as many students as possible participate this semester. I will try to find a way even to get the shy ones to get involved and be more themselves while they are here."
Before becoming the coordinator of the Campus Union, Linda worked as a grievance coordinator for Aloha Care and a sales administration assistant for SummitMedia in Honolulu, Hawaii. During her time at ENMU, she worked in Distance Education for four years with Trish Maguire. She answered phone calls for students who needed help with Blackboard or MediaSite and did the payments for non-credit and phlebotomy courses.
She was named "Student Leader of the Year" in 2016. "Getting that award took me by surprise, but it is something I will always cherish," said Linda.
The Greyhound Grad comes from a family of five in Hereford, Texas. Elizabet, her older sister, is currently attending ENMU and will graduate next year with a double major. Jessica, Linda's younger sister, just graduated from medical school. Her father works in construction, and her mother works at Cargill, a meat company.
"I have two hard-working parents: Fernando and Felicitas Ramos," said Linda. "My parents never had the experience to go to school, so they are very proud of us for what we have accomplished.
"My parents have always influenced me, and they are role models. Knowing how they didn't have an education keeps me going every day. I always like to tell them how getting a degree really has helped me find a job and one that I like."
Linda chose to pursue a degree in communication with an emphasis in broadcast production after meeting Janet Bresenham, the director of FM news and public affairs at KENW at ENMU, at the Dawg Days Community Fair.
"She stopped me to talk about how I could volunteer and learn to be on news and radio. At first, it wasn't something I was interested in until I went into the studio and started to do the hands-on training. Ever since then, I wanted to learn more about it.
"Every year, I got better and better. I ended up doing an internship for CBS-7 in Odessa. When I graduated a few months later, I got the experience to work for SummitMedia in Hawaii, which includes all five broadcast stations from Hawaii. It was the best experience I had so far.
"I have to thank Janet Bresenham for pulling me to the side during that fair because it wasn't for her I don't think I would ever experience all of this."
Linda's hobbies are working out, dancing and working hard. "With those things in hand, I keep my mind focused, and it helps me to be a better person in life."
She also enjoys traveling. "I went to Miami for my birthday, and that place is amazing. If I ever have the chance to go back, I will. My dream is to go to Disneyland next year, so hopefully, that can be my next vacation."
