UNM Dentistry student continues work in NM

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - With the economy still on the road to recovery, one of the ways Governor Susana Martinez wants to fix it is to have students who go to college in New Mexico, stay and work in the state.

For UNM Dentistry student Tsenre White, that's exactly what she wants to do.

"My dad kind of prompted me to do hygiene," says White. "Because my mom is a hygienist so that's what made me want to do hygiene and on top of it, it's such a great field."

Finishing her senior year in the program, White says she didn't have to look much further than her mom for the inspiration.

"Having her also tell me stuff from her history and just being a hygienist working clinically, she said it's very different in here than when you go into the real world," White said.

Her mother, Sheri White, says she was excited about the program.

"When she got started in the program, she got very enthusiastic and when she started college, she took it very serious and she seems to really enjoy it," says Sheri White.

Sheri has been at it now for 25 years. she also says it was important for her to maintain her career here in her home state. This is something the governor has touted in at least two economic summit meetings in the last few weeks.

"She's very excited, she's like, hey mom, we can do some community programs together," adds Sheri. "So you know, as I get a little older and probably want to slow down and retire, I probably will continue to try and maintain my licensing so I can participate with her on some of those things and we're looking forward to that."

Tsenre says New Mexico has a lot to offer.

"New Mexico has a lot of wonderful things here like a lot of areas that do need help and do need dental," says Tsenre. "So it's kind of nice because the growth, there's so much growth within the field and our program has a masters program so it allows you to go further beyond just being a clinical hygienist, you know you can work as an instructor in public health and New Mexico's a perfect place to work for hygiene."

Tsenre and her mom aren't the only ones in the family getting educated and working here. Tsenre's brother got his business degree last December, the same as their dad.

UNM's Dentistry Department celebrated their 50th anniversary last Saturday. Department heads say most of the people who graduate from there end up working here in New Mexico.