A Leadership Journey

Chela Mendoza Patterson, Ed.D.
Associate Vice President for Student Life
CSU, Chico

If you ever see Chela Mendoza Patterson’s Dear World photograph, you will see three words that underscore Dr. Mendoza Patterson’s attitude and ethos: “Live With Passion!” Dr. Mendoza Patterson is the Associate Dean for Student Life at CSU, Chico, and her goal for herself and for others is to follow life’s passion, whatever it is. She encourages others to live the life that they want to live, and to not live within the constraints of others’ expectations.

She has devoted her life’s work to education and to “opening the door for others,” ensuring that students have the opportunities that she had. Opportunities did not always come easy for her, but she credits her successes from generations of familial dreams, persistence, and the support of her mentors. She is proud to be where she is today, helping others to achieve their educational goals, and being a mentor, and opening doors of opportunity for others so that they may live the passionate lives they desire to live.

Recorded: February 15, 2019