Susan Cates Believes in Mind over Matter

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From left: Dr. Claudia Barreto, Susan Cates and Joseph Spencer.

LOS LUNAS, NM (11/09/2011)(readMedia)-- Susan Cates is a full-time mother, full-time student and part-time employee, and she believes anything can be accomplished if "You put your mind to it." That is why she is the UNM-Valencia Campus's Student of the Month.

"I think I have convinced a few people that you can work and parent and go to school," she said. She should know. Cates now finds herself a single mother of three children while going through a divorce.

She admits her situation is not easy. "It's tough to figure out how to make it on your own," she said. "I just don't let my life interfere with what I'm doing (at school)."

Cates is the first one in her family to attend college, and she hopes that her example encourages her children to think about college as they grow older. She plans to finish her associate degree work here and then transfer to main campus to finish her bachelor's in dental hygiene.

Before attending UNM-Valencia, Cates worked for 10 years as a dental assistant, and she realized that in order to advance her career she would need a degree. She and her ex-husband moved to New Mexico, and eventually she started her academic career.

Two of Cates' instructors nominated her for the award. Joseph Spencer is an adjunct instructor in philosophy and Dr. Claudia Barreto is an associate professor in biology. Both were impressed with her work ethic.

"Her work outside of class and her contributions to discussions in class make clear that she takes her schoolwork very seriously." Spencer wrote in his nomination form. "I'm very impressed with how responsible she is with so much going on in her life. I was also impressed recently to learn that in addition to being a dedicated student and mother, she is a certified phlebotomist who works with the Valencia County Police Department, that she is a Learning Center tutor, and that she volunteers as a Sunday school teacher in her local congregation."

Cates said she really enjoys tutoring students at the Learning Center, and that she finds herself giving advice to those who complain about not having enough time or other complications.

"I tell them you can complain about your situation or you can do something about it," she said.

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