Joshua Anzures

UNM-Valencia Visionary Grad, Class of 2026

Transcript

My name is Joshua Anzures, and I was born and raised in Los Lunas, New Mexico. When I first graduated from Los Lunas High School in 2009, I attended the UNM-Valencia Campus. I wanted to get my degree in computer science, when I found it was too hard to do my degree. So, I decided to stop school and just proceed with the workforce. I honestly lacked motivation to finish school until I had my little girl. My girlfriend, Brittany, pushed me to pursue my degree ever since I got this job here at the District Courthouse. After working in the field, I fell in love with this field. And that's why I'm getting my degree in criminal justice.

The main part of my life is my family. My daughter is two and a half years old, and she is the reason why I continue to push myself. I want to show her it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Sometimes you just need the right motivation, like she has been for me. She is my motivation to be the best parent I can be, and my reason to smile through all the struggles in life. My little girl has been through some health issues at the start of her life, and she has been nothing less of greatness in facing those struggles and came out on top better than any doctor could have ever imagined.

And now I have to do my best to make her proud of me, just like how I'm proud of her. I also want to show her that furthering your education is important, because it opens doors and helped me become more open-minded with different areas of my life. The most challenging part, I would say, is being able to be self-disciplined due to my classes all being online. I've been focused on time management, balancing my work life as well as going to school full time, working full time, and being a parent and being a partner. My three mentors would be Dr. Presley, Dr. So, and Dr. Sibler. These three mentors have played a key role in my college career. They have helped me get through every aspect. They have been reaching out to me and going above and beyond for me. So the individuals I would like to thank is my daughter, Audrey, and my girlfriend, Brittany. Along with family, friends, my parents, my supervisor, Kevin Jaramillo and all of my coworkers here at the District Courthouse. So after graduation, I would like to continue to work in the judicial system.

The most fulfilling part is accomplishing something I didn't think I was capable of. When I first went to the UNM-VC, I just thought, I'm over it with school. But now I feel so accomplished and able to pursue my degree.