Damaris Leos, a senior at Eastern New Mexico University majoring in social work, has a dream to impact the lives of others through a career as a medical social worker.

"I hope to become a medical social worker and work alongside healthcare professionals to help individuals and families in their time of need. I want to work in a challenging yet rewarding field," Damaris states.

Ultimately, Damaris would like to teach college students who are pursuing a career in social work. She explains, "I would encourage those wanting to go into social work to volunteer at a local nonprofit agency and get to know social workers who work or have worked with the population of interest."

Damaris chose to attend ENMU because of the affordable tuition and small class sizes. "You get the private school attention for the public-school price. I'm proud to be a part of a school that has devoted professors who care and a student body who is driven and excited about their futures. 

"Every professor in the social work program has been a mentor to me in one way or another. They care about our well-being and success in the program," Damaris states.

Out of all of her courses at ENMU, Damaris has enjoyed "Social Welfare Policy" the most, as she enjoys content about the policies in social work. 

On-campus, the Greyhound enjoys studying at coffee shops and the library. She is involved in the Phi Alpha Omericron Rho Social Work Honor Society and has been on the Dean's List at ENMU for six semesters.

Apart from her time at Eastern, Damaris is a member of the Kiwanis Club, an organization created to improve the lives of children in various communities. She volunteers with several local organizations to distribute coats for kids annually. She is employed as a certified community health worker, which gives her another opportunity to help in her community. In her free time, she enjoys learning French, crafting, playing video games and cycling.

Damaris was born in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, in Mexico and raised in General Teran, Nuevo Leon, until she was six years old, when her family moved to America. She has since lived in several states in the U.S., where she has made many lifelong friends.