Trish Wallan

I’m Trish and I am a working mother with three wonderful children and a distance-learning social work major at Chico State. Recently I became a North State Ambassador and I want to use this opportunity to learn ways that Chico State can attract and retain students from my community in Tehama County, especially nontraditional students like myself. I grew up in Corning, but currently, I live in Red Bluff and enjoy the various outdoor activities available and special events such as the Red Bluff Round-Up. Unfortunately, while Red Bluff has a small community college extension campus (Shasta College-Tehama Campus) it lacks a four-year university.  Living an hour away from Chico State presents many challenges, but Chico State’s distance learning hybrid program has allowed me to further my education while continuing to live and work in my hometown. I hope to help show others in my community that it is possible to get your degree without ever leaving your hometown and then turn around and use your education to better your community.