Facing Arizona: Born in Mexico, but calls Arizona home

Editor’s note: Facing Arizona is a series that will appear on KTAR.com and social media  — follow KTAR News on Instagram and Facebook for updates — highlighting unique and everyday people across our state and give you a glimpse into their lives.

My name is Elizabeth Pulido, and I am originally from Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

My mom immigrated to Arizona in 1976, when I was 3 years old. I am a part of a large family with eleven siblings, six sisters, and five brothers. I attended school at Central High School. I dropped out, but I went back and completed my GED.

From there I went to Phoenix College and earned my Associates in Administrative Justice. Then came ASU, where I received my undergrad in Public Service and Public Policy.

I became a naturalized citizen in 2002. I would say that the process was average as it pertains to the level of difficulty. I completed all of my paperwork without the assistance of an attorney. I would say the most challenging part of the process was the interview. Some of the questions were awkward, and I wasn’t sure what they had to do with me becoming a citizen.

I have been in the field of education for 15 years now. I started out as a parent liaison, in the Phoenix elementary school district. I was there for 13 years, and then I went to the Roosevelt District, the same position, for one year.

I worked with homeless youth for a bit of time, and now, I work for the Arizona Department of Education.

In the next five years, I see myself returning to college and completing my Master’s degree. I was the first one in my family to go to college and the second one to graduate. However, I would be the first one to receive my Graduate’s degree, and I think that would be pretty special.

I definitely see myself staying in Arizona as well. I love this state, and I would never leave. — Elizabeth