Patty García

Hometown: Arandas, Mexico.

Major: Spanish, minor in criminal justice. Class of 2008.

Background: Born in Mexico. Moved to Zamora, a small town in California near Woodland, when she was nine. Involved in the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Community service chair for Latina sorority Sigma Omega Nu. Volunteered for Safe Rides and Cesar Chavez Day. Works with youth on probation for the Sacramento County Neighborhood Accountability Board.

Influences: “CAMP and EOP, those two programs really helped me. I took summer classes for six weeks through Summer Bridge and stayed in the dorms and had the opportunity to meet new people. So when school started, I knew the campus and I didn’t feel lost.”

Highlight: “I really like my professors, especially my Spanish professors. They’re all nice and willing to help you. They say that if you need anything you can just come by. In the sorority you get to meet a lot of people not only in your sorority but other sororities and fraternities. The networking opens doors and those who are older can advise you on which classes you should take.”

Proudest accomplishment: “I’m the first one out of my family to go to college. None of my cousins went to college, my sisters didn’t go to college. I am the only one on my mom’s or my dad’s side.”

Destination: “I want to work for the FBI. I applied for an internship with the FBI in Sacramento and am just waiting to hear back from them because it takes a while to do a background check. I would also like to work in the medical field as a translator.”