Chela Mendoza Patterson, EdD

Student Affairs
Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Associated Students
Educational Opportunity Program
Early Outreach and Support Programs
1983–2020

Marcella “Chela” Mendoza Patterson was not only one of Chico State’s most versatile and experienced administrators, she also inspired hundreds of Latinx students, staff, and faculty who looked to her as their mentor and model.

Patterson’s long and successful campus career began in 1983, when she was coordinator of the Associated Students (AS) Information Center. Subsequent positions serving the AS or University include: Bell Memorial Union programming coordinator, retention advisor, student activities coordinator, presidential leadership intern, associate director of leadership programs, activity fee director, director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), and director of the Early Outreach and Support Programs.

Her final positions prior to retirement in 2020 were interim chief diversity officer and associate vice president for Student Life and Leadership (SLL), one of the most comprehensive managerial posts in Student Affairs—Patterson’s responsibilities included 14 direct reports and administrative oversight of SLL, the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center, the Student Learning Center, and many other critical student support services.

Because of the breadth and depth of her administrative skills, Patterson was given numerous key campus and systemwide assignments, including serving on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Planning Team, Graduation Initiative 2025, University Diversity Council, and Strategic Enrollment Management Taskforce. For several years she also served as chair of the CSU EOP Directors Association.

In no area of campus life has Patterson had more impact than in University efforts serving historically underserved students. Along with the support programs mentioned above, she has overseen the federal TRIO programs, the Foster Youth Program, the Dream Center, and the Basic Needs Project. Beyond her designated responsibilities, Patterson was a founding member of the Chicano/Latino Council; a founding advisor of Lambda Theta Nu, the nation’s first Latina sorority (begun at Chico State); advisor to the Latinx Graduation Celebration; and co-coordinator of the Hispanic Association for the Community and Education scholarship program.

Among her honors are Outstanding Student Organization Advisor, Lambda Theta Nu; Lifetime Achievement Award, Conversations on Diversity; Meritorious Dissertation Award, University of Southern California; and the Dr. Chela Mendoza Patterson Scholarship Fund, established by the Chicano/Latino Council in her honor.

“I can attribute my growth, persistence, and emergence as a campus leader to Chela’s positive influence and encouragement,” said Teresita Curiel, director of Latinx Equity and Success. “I know that many other Latino, female, or Black, Indigenous, and people of color campus colleagues—many in administration or different leadership roles—can say the same.”