Oscar Arteaga Romero, a graduate student originally from Venezuela, graduated in December with a master's of interdisciplinary studies degree. He is seen here holding the Venezuelan flag during the filming of "The College Tour," Nov. 6, 2023Oscar Arteaga Romero will be in the cast of the upcoming Amazon Prime TV episode of "The College Tour" that will be filmed on campus in November. Link to article at the end.

From Venezuela to Colombia to Kansas to New Mexico, Graduate Student Finds a Home in Silver City

Oscar Arteaga Romero expected to spend recent years working on his MBA in Kansas, but when his husband found a job in Silver City, he transferred to WNMU and quickly decided to expand this educational experience beyond business.

While business administration remains one of his concentration areas in the WNMU MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program, he has added two others: sociology and kinesiology.

"I like sociology because it has to do with human behavior," Arteaga, who is originally from Venezuela and has also lived in Colombia, explained. Similarly, kinesiology has given him "an opportunity to learn about the human body, body movement, physical activity," he said.

Currently in his second year of the program, Arteaga appreciates how his unusual combination of concentrations allows him to explore "human life in its different facets." He gets to study human behavior and relationships, social interactions, the decision-making process, leadership, management, physical activity, and exercise.

He especially enjoyed the opportunity to take part in last summer's Basic Economic Development course, which he said made him feel "in touch with reality." The course is a week-long intensive learning experience that teaches how to select the right combination of strategies to cost-effectively create jobs in various communities. "There were many people that work for the State of New Mexico [in attendance]," said Arteaga, "and they shared their experiences and their knowledge with the class."

Arteaga is drawing on some of what he learned in the course to complete a culminating project for his master's degree. Working with Associate Professor of Finance Miguel Vicéns, he is designing an economic development initiative that involves creating a "Black Friday" type of event to support Grant County artists. The goal of economic development, said Arteaga, is "growing the economy faster than the population," which he feels is important to southwestern New Mexico.

In addition to being a student, Arteaga is a Graduate Assistant for the WNMU Museum. In this role, he introduces visitors to the Museum and answers their questions about Mimbres ceramics. He describes his time working there as "an amazing experience . . . The WNMU Museum has the NAN Ranch Collection, the most complete and largest collection of Mimbres materials in the world." Arteaga added, "I have learned so much more about Southwest culture and heritage" from working in the museum.

He also values the professional relationships that he has developed while working in the museum. "I have been so lucky to have such good supervisors," he said, mentioning WNMU Museum Director Danielle Romero and Assistant Director Maggie Veeder. "I feel appreciated and valued there, and I have learned a lot," said Arteaga.

When he is not in class, studying, or working in the museum, Arteaga can often be found meeting with other international students in the International Student Association. "We get together, we share our academic experiences, and plan events together," he said. Arteaga serves as treasurer of the association and has also been mentoring some of the newer international students, whether it is giving some advice, helping them to find academic resources like the Writing Center, or encouraging them to participate in events like the Academic Symposium.

Arteaga said his graduate student experience may not be the one he originally planned, but he feels privileged to study at WNMU and proud to represent Venezuela in the United States. "I really appreciate everything that has been offered to me here from [academics] to having new opportunities to learn about different cultures worldwide," he said, "I am so proud to be part of the Hispanic/Latino population on campus."

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