Patricia is the Marketing & Communications Manager for the Division of Student Affairs, having oversight of marketing communications strategy, brand compliance, web content, and social media content. Before starting her position with Student Affairs in August 2023, Patricia joined the university in late February 2020 with DePaul Housing just as the COVID-19 pandemic was becoming widespread. While some viewed conducting emergency communications a daunting task, especially so soon in a new job position, Patricia accepted the challenge.
At the start of her career, Patricia was a Communications Assistant in the City Manager's Communications Office for the City of San José, CA. Part of her responsibilities included training to be an emergency public information officer, which resulted in volunteering with the Santa Clara County Health Department during the H1N1 pandemic. While Patricia never expected to repeat anything close to that experience, she was happy to offer her expertise while working at DePaul.
After 5 years of public service in San José, Patricia wanted to learn more about consumer marketing, particularly for the food & beverage industry. To achieve this goal, she returned to Chicago in 2011 to earn her MA in Public Relations and Advertising at DePaul University. After graduating in 2013, she worked for a marketing firm focused on better-for-you food & beverage brands and wellness brands. She then transitioned from agency to in-house, working nearly 3 years as the Marketing & Brand Lead for local restaurant chain Hannah's Bretzel.
Patricia is also a graduate of Loyola University Chicago, earning a BA in Communication with a minor in Women's Studies. In her spare time, Patricia enjoys travel, book club, exploring the city and its many restaurants, and watching programs on WTTW (PBS).