Graduate Student Serves as Editor for “The Chase”
Abigail “Abby” Pino is a graduate student at Eastern New Mexico University and the acting editor for the University newspaper, “The Chase,” two time-consuming undertakings that she balances with motherhood.
Abby holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Cottey College, which is located in Nevada, Missouri. She is currently on track to graduate from Eastern with a Master of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in Journalism in May 2018.
“Eastern had initially been my first choice as it was the college my mom had attended and graduated from,” Abby said. “Upon graduating from Cottey, I began to take a harder look at Eastern and its programs, moreover, the environment in which I would be moving my family to.”
After determining ENMU had a similar feel to her small liberal arts alma mater, Abby decided to attend the University. “Eastern has provided a place where I am able to implement the things I have learned in the classroom and experience the realities of my job.”
She was inspired to pursue her master’s degree by her mother. “I’ve always admired my mom and her decision to stay in school while taking care of my brother at the age of three,” Abby explained. “I am very fortunate to have family, friends and colleagues who understand the challenge of attending to two responsibilities.”
As editor of “The Chase” Abby has found the most difficult task to be balancing an extensive editing process with keeping the newspaper’s content relevant and timely. “You take each day as it comes, and you learn how to balance the responsibilities as you go.”
After she graduates, Abby plans to “return to my community, located on the Laguna Pueblo reservation, and work with the Kukadze’eta/Towncrier Newspaper as a photojournalist.”
She encourages young writers to “be fearless, be bold, be passionate. Don’t forget to ask questions. Be receptive to guidance. And above all, bring diverse perspectives to the table and empower others to do the same.”
(Written by Jennifer Bodley and Ashley Galloway)
