Eastern New Mexico University graduate assistant Allison Minteer teaches her students using strategies she has learned by being a student.

Originally from Albuquerque, she has lived in New Mexico all her life. Her family moved to Santa Rosa and Ruidoso before settling in Clovis, where Allison graduated high school in 2004.

She attended ENMU immediately after graduation, majoring in biology with an emphasis in microbiology, molecular biology and biotechnology.

After that, she got married. She has two children, now 4 and 7. She was a stay-at-home mom until they grew older; then, she returned to Eastern for her master’s degree.

Originally, she chose Eastern because it was “close to home.” She found herself liking it, which is “a big reason why she stayed.”

Allison considered graduate school because some professors suggested it, thinking she would make a good grad student.

“I gave it a shot and was successful at it,” she said.

She works with algae for her thesis project, observing the small plant’s cells. The student scientist gravitates toward cellular biology because “the tiny stuff” interests her. She chose algae because it is used in many commercial products and services, including water remediation in treatment plants.

People also have less ethical concerns about using algae in experiments versus animals. “You don’t realize how widespread algae is in products,” she said.

After finishing her research, Allison will present her work at a thesis defense, which will determine whether she receives a thesis- or non-thesis master’s degree.

Allison plans on working as an eighth-grade science teacher in Clovis in fall 2017, where her fiancé works. She hopes to later earn a doctorate and teach college students.

Currently, she teaches anatomy and physiology. She likes teaching while being a student because it gives her insight on how to best help her students learn.

She applies skills that have helped her over the years to develop her students’ knowledge and progress their study techniques.

Some study tips she recommends to students in all fields are: to read the text book, participate in effective study groups, and take handwritten notes.

“I am a student here at Eastern, but I’m also an instructor and looking from both sides, students that read their textbooks do better in class,” she said. “Don’t pick your besties for study groups, choose people who are equally dedicated as you. Take good notes and spoil yourself with nice stationary.”

Allison constantly aims toward achieving her goals, studying constantly. She says reading relaxes her because it prepares her for the future.

Previously, Allison has worked in a funeral home and in the hospital as a phlebotomist.

Allison’s mom is an emergency room nurse and her father, an ENMU alumnus, is the chief of the Clovis Police Department. Her grandmother also taught in Clovis schools for over 35 years.

She maintains the balance of her students, family and thesis through good time management.

“Stick to time management boundaries, and if you say you’re going to do something, do it,” she said.