Clayton Mauldin, a digital filmmaking major, loves his experience at Eastern New Mexico University because it differs from programs at other universities.

 "I have friends and family also studying digital filmmaking at different universities. Very few of them have touched a camera, whereas I had one in my hands during my first week here," he said.

He was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where his dad was a programmer for Sandia Laboratories and his mother owned a local business for five years. His older brother is pursuing a biochemical engineering degree and younger siblings attend gradeschool.

He graduated from Eldorado High School in 2016 with high hopes of becoming a screenwriter and director.

Clayton chose ENMU because of its encouraging atmosphere.

"When I came to Eastern, I met people who knew their professors very well, and I met professors who knew every single one of their students. This made me feel that the professors at Eastern truly wanted their students to succeed," he said.

The nineteen-year-old has been on the Dean's List and is considering minoring in culinary arts. In his free-time, he enjoys reading, writing, and playing games with friends.

He expects his degree from ENMU to "help him immensely" in his career field.

"Upperclassmen and graduates alike have told me that people in my field like hearing that their degrees are from Eastern. I can understand why—I feel that I am getting a wonderful education," he said.

Clayton recommends Eastern to future students because the helpful people guarantee success.

"For me, the best part of the ENMU experience is the accessibility of everyone and everything here. Professors are never hard to find or talk to. The computers are easy to use and tutoring is open to everyone," he said.