From Deming to DFW, Arrieta-Candelaria champions education

Carmen Arrieta-Candelaria ’88 ’04 started her education journey at a young age. It eventually led her to NMSU for her college experience. At the time, she knew she wanted to fulfill her goals for success but also had to put in the work to achieve the path she wanted.

Recently, Arrieta-Candelaria was named a Leading Latina of 2024 by Hispanic Executive Magazine. 

“I am so humbled and honored to be selected and be able to share my story about how I grew up and the impact that my family’s roots have had on my development,” Arrieta-Candelaria says. “That drives my moral compass, always.”

Arrieta-Candelaria arrived at NMSU as a 17-year-old from Deming, New Mexico.

“I would not have been able to go to school without a scholarship. I came from a very poor family, but luckily my sister helped pave the way and she also went to NMSU. What was very important for me was the scholarship opportunities and the work study program,” she says.  

Arrieta-Candelaria earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in economics and a master’s degree in business administration. 

“I really felt that I had to get my degrees, and I felt like I had no other choice but to persevere and move forward. That was the opportunity that I saw to break the cycle of poverty and to be able to lift myself out of that cycle,” she says. “My mom used to say ‘Si se puede, mija.’ She would always tell me that, ‘You can do it. It can be done.’ Sometimes we don’t believe that we can do it, but we reach deep inside and realize it can be done.” 

A first-generation Mexican American, Arrieta-Candelaria’s bilingual skills have been an important asset throughout her career, especially now as the chief financial officer at Fort Worth Independent School District, where 67% of students are of Latino descent.

“I’m happy to help and translate. There’s a need out there to be able to provide translation services to our communities that are growing and changing,” Arrieta-Candelaria says. “Being Latina is who I am, and there’s so many beautiful things in our heritage that I carry with me and try to instill that in my children and model that for my family.”