Public Relations

Mary Gomes-Ettienne Celebrates Citizenship
with Friends, Co-workers

BENTONVILLE (Wednesday, May 28, 2008) - Mary Gomes-Ettienne, administrative assistant for Communications and Arts, says she is privileged to be an American citizen, which she became Friday, May 23, 2008, at a U.S. naturalization service in Fort Smith.

Her friends and co-workers greeted her Tuesday with a small celebration in the C&A Department.

“In addition to obtaining a U.S. passport and becoming eligible for federal government jobs, I now have a voice especially on issues that are important to me,” she said. “I am extremely excited about being a part of the presidential election process in November.”

The path to American citizenship is a prolonged process and can be very complicated, she said.
Originally from Dominica, an English speaking island in the Caribbean, Mary moved to Canada and then to the USA in 1999.

Mary (pictured at left) earned an Associate of Science Degree in Business from NWACC in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science from the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas in 2005.

| “Based on my experience, an approved permanent resident petition filed in 1996 did not guarantee me permanent residency until five years later,” she said. “Oftentimes, this process can take much longer than five years.

“As a permanent resident, I became aware of numerous opportunities available to those willing to embrace them. For me, completing a college education seemed more attainable only after I became a permanent resident.”

Mary began working at NWACC in July 2006 after working in the accounting department at Rogers St. Mary’s Hospital.

Over the years, as she became more familiar with American culture and the political system of government, she said she realized the benefits of citizenship are endless.

She is thankful to many people who helped her get there.

“I would like to use this opportunity to say a special thank you to some wonderful people that I met at NWACC when I came to the United States,” she said, mentioning Steve and Lecia Pelphrey, Dale Montgomery, Anita Jones, Brooke Holt, Burnetta Hinterthuer and Bob Marion.

“Their genuine care and support have contributed towards my success in college thus far,” she said. “I also appreciate their hospitality. My transition to the U.S. has been a pleasant and memorable experience all because of their warmth and kindness. I will always cherish their friendships; they have made me proud to be an American citizen.”

For questions/comments on this content, please contact Jim Hall.

This page was last updated on:  December 21, 2009 @ 8:51 am