South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) congratulates alumna Patricia Gonzalez on receiving the 2023 Washington State Association of College Trustees (ACT) Transforming Lives Award. As an award recipient, Patricia received a financial award of $250 from the ACT and was honored at the Transforming Lives Award Dinner at the Olympia Hotel at Capitol Lake on Jan. 23, 2023.
Patricia graduated from SPSCC in 2020 with an Associate in Arts degree and is currently working as a personal caregiver. During her time at SPSCC, Patricia learned to embrace her diverse and nontraditional educational background as one of her biggest strengths. Her experience as a Mexican woman, being raised by a single mother, and starting a family of her own inspired her to get involved in the field of early childhood development and education with the goal of one day making education accessible and enjoyable to everyone.
Patricia credits SPSCC’s IGNITE Program and support from staff like Ross Artwohl in Counseling Services for giving her the confidence, resources, and community that allowed her to have a positive college experience. She is especially grateful to educational and career planner Amita Chakravarty. “The relationship I built with Amita is one I will never forget. She always made time to support me whenever I needed it,” Patricia said. “She was able to be a cheerleader who helped build my confidence to continue to pursue my bachelor’s degree.”
Each year, the board of trustees from each of the Washington State community and technical colleges accepts nominations from staff and faculty for students whose lives were transformed by attending a community or technical college. Patricia’s story was chosen from among the nominations put forth by SPSCC staff and faculty in Fall 2022.