Graduation Date:
After taking a break from school to raise her children, alumna Lisa Patencio '21 returned to work toward her special major bachelor’s degree, which combined her love of art and science.
After taking a break from school to raise her children, Lisa returned to work toward her special major bachelor’s degree, which combined her love of art and science: Cahuilla STEM education program development.
“I personally believe all things are possible,” she said. “I am motivated to learn new things and have adventures outside of my comfort zone … Being outside your comfort is how you grow as a person.”
Lisa first started college nearly 30 years ago, but stopped to take care of her four children, two with special needs. While she was the oldest in her classes, she firmly believed that “age is not her cage.”
As a Native American herself, Lisa wanted to complete her degree to give back to Native communities.