PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University diversity advocate Marcela Pattinson has been selected to receive the Inclusion, Access and Success Award from the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Founded in 1937, NACAC consists of over 14,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students who are pursuing postsecondary education.
Pattinson, an assistant director in the Office of Multicultural Student Services, has worked at WSU for six years.
“I was very surprised to hear I was selected,” said Pattinson. “We are used to doing things without getting a lot of recognition, so I can’t believe I’m receiving this award.”
In her letter to Pattinson, NACAC Chief Executive Officer Joyce Smith shared the award honors persons who have been instrumental in making postsecondary opportunities available to historically underrepresented students.
“…your nomination for this award was approved based on your demonstrated commitment to the profession and students, and your tireless leadership over the years. You have been a mentor, leader, and respected peer to many,” Smith wrote.
Pattinson leads WSU’s annual La Bienvenida Program for Spanish-speaking families. It helps familiarize parents and students with the admission and financial aid process, as well as introduces them to a network of faculty and staff that will support them at WSU.
She also co-hosts a radio program called WSU Conectándote that airs on Spanish-speaking stations throughout Central Washington and parts of the Puget Sound region. The show educates families about the value of a college education, what college is like, how to apply, and the many resources available to them.
In recent years, Pattinson helped secure a grant that created the Washington State Coalition for Undocumented Students. Consisting of representatives from all of Washington State’s major universities and various community organizations, the Coalition spent three years researching current activities supporting undocumented students and created a list of best practices to share with other higher education institutions.
“The grant provided an opportunity to put on the table a very important topic,” she said. “Even though we reached out to over 8,000 people, we learned there is much more work to do and we need to keep working for our undocumented and first-generation students.” Her dream is to establish a center for undocumented students at WSU.
“I am thrilled to see her being acknowledged for her work, personal charisma, and commitment to students, particularly those underrepresented in higher education,” said J. Manuel Acevedo, director of Multicultural Student Services. “We are proud of Marcela and commend her on this recognition.”
Pattinson will travel to NACAC’s annual conference in San Diego, Calif. to accept the award.
Contacts:
Marcela Pattinson, Assistant Director, WSU Outreach & Undocumented Initiatives, Office of Multicultual Student Services, 509-335-7326, marcela.pattinson@wsu.edu.
Steve Nakata, Director of Communications, Student Affairs & Enrollment, 509-335-1774, nakata@wsu.edu.