Patty García
Hometown: San Ignacio Cerro Gordo, Mexico
Major: Spanish and Criminal Justice. Plans to graduate in Fall 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). Member of the Latina sorority Sigma Omega Nu. Volunteered for Safe Rides and Cesar Chavez Day. Worked 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 nice and willing to help you. They inspire you to believe that anything is possible. And in the sorority you get to meet a lot of people and network, and that opens a lot of doors for future plans.”
Proudest accomplishment: “I’m the first one out of my family to go to college. And soon I’ll be graduating with a double major.”
Destination: “I’ll be starting an internship in the fall with the Sacramento County Probation Department. From there, I want to keep working my way up to become an FBI agent.”