Educational Opportunity Program Finds Director in Experienced Student Affairs Employee

Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Moon announced today that Chela Patterson has been selected as the new director for the Educational Opportunity Program at California State University, Chico. Patterson is currently the activity fee director for the Associated Students.

“I’m delighted that Dr. Chela Patterson has accepted the position as director of our EOP program,” said Moon. “Chela has a breadth of professional experience, demonstrated commitment to underserved populations, and academic credentials that give me the confidence she will take our EOP program to the next level. I look forward to the significant contributions to the program and the University I know she will make.”

Patterson has worked in the student services area since coming to CSU, Chico from Maryland in 1983 with her husband, Pat Patterson, who came for a job in the Counseling Center. In her current position, she is responsible for the general management of all student-fee funded areas. Before that, from 1999 until 2002, she was the associate director for Leadership Programs in the Student Activities Office.

Patterson received her EdD in 1998 from the University of Southern California in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation was titled, “Latina Sisterhood: Does It Promote Campus Integration or Segregation?”

Patterson brings experience from her work in a broad cross section of student services, in which she has worked with both Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. She was one of the first Presidential Leadership Interns in 1998-1999. She was one of the original instructors for the early extended orientation course Introduction to University Life and has been a member of the Getting Connected (a program for new students) planning committee since its inception.

“As a previous EOP student myself, advocating for and working with underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students is something near and dear to my heart. I am very honored to have been given this opportunity,” said Patterson.

“EOP has assisted students with the realization of their hopes. It is a model program to support students who have demonstrated the potential for academic success, despite disadvantaged circumstances,” said President Paul Zingg. “Chela has extraordinary rapport with all students, but she brings a particular sensitivity to those who are assisted through EOP. The University can expect EOP to become even more effective in fostering student success under Chela’s leadership.”

Patterson will begin her duties as director in the fall of 2005. She replaces Herman Ellis, assistant vice president for Student Life, who served as interim director of EOP.

###