Katia Gomez, who is majoring in accounting and plans on completing the Personal Financial Planning Program at Eastern New Mexico University, will graduate this fall.

"I chose accounting as my field of study because I love working with numbers and I like to convey their importance within businesses," says Katia, who has been on the Dean's List every semester.

She plans to work for an accounting firm in Roswell after graduating. "I want to attain my accounting experience while working towards my CPA exam," she explains. "I also want to continue the PFP program at ENMU."

Her career goals are to attain her CPA license, sit for the CFP exam and continue her career in accounting. "If I have the opportunity, I want to open my own CPA firm in the future," she adds.

Katia volunteers at the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, doing taxes for the community. She is also the secretary for Delta Mu Delta Honor Society, the president of the Accounting and Finance Club and has been an accounting intern for Plateau Wireless in Clovis for a year.

She advises students interested in accounting to connect with their professors. "Professors are a vital resource for every student, and I was blessed to have great mentors. My accounting professors, Konni Wallace, Dr. Deborah Corbin and Deborah Stone, led me to succeed in my accounting career because they were always ready to help. They pushed me when I needed it and congratulated me when I deserved it. Professor Nhat Ho was also a great influence in working on the PFP program which I almost completed."

She also tells accounting students to "never give up. It may seem hard, but you have wonderful professors that will always be there to help. Attain experience through internships and volunteering in the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. Do not fall behind and always get your work done. Nothing becomes impossible unless you really do not want to do it."

Her favorite class at ENMU was her first financial accounting course because it had a "lot of hands-on in regards to real situation analysis. We did financial statements, and we also had projects that dealt with various transactions. It put us to work, but at the same time, taught us a lot."

Katia's favorite spot on campus is the Campus Union Building, because "you can do homework, eat, be with your friends, and meet new people. Many events are also held there which is a great way to get everyone involved."

She says that Greyhounds are family, which is what makes being a student at ENMU "so fantastic." She also likes that the school is decked out in her favorite color: green.

She chose to attend Eastern because it was affordable, close to her home (Lovington) and offered one-on-one relationships with professors.

Katia was born in Fresno, California. She moved to Lovington, New Mexico, 14 years later. She has two younger sisters and a six-year-old brother. Her dad works for the oilfield, and her mother is a stay-at-home mom.

"Being a first-generation college student is not always a simple thing, but through hard work and experience I have made my parents proud, and I hope I have been a great influence to my siblings," says Katia, who has received several scholarships during her time at ENMU, including the Bob and Martha Kerby Scholarship, Ronald K Payne Scholarship, Henry Young Scholarship, Turner Woody Endowed Scholarship, Accounting Society Scholarship, and the Finis Heidel Scholarship.

In her free time, Katia enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, watching movies and scrapbooking.