For ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï’s 75th anniversary, we spoke with alumna Patricia Toregas about some of her favorite ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï experiences and where she hopes to see the university in years to come. Toregas earned her bachelor’s degree in business and management from ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï in 1984 and her master’s degree in human resources management in 1991. She is the vice president of Telepliant Communications and is a ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï faculty member. She also served on the ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï President Search Committee and founded the .
What was your favorite part about studying at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï?
I could apply what I learned at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï at work and use my experiences at work in my classes.
How have your ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï degrees helped you today?
They have helped me earn promotions at work and gave me the qualifications for my current career.
Is there a quote that you feel best represents your time at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï or a quote you heard at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï that meant something to you?
Succeed again!
If you had one word to describe your experience at ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï, what would it be and why?
Fulfilling.
What one piece of advice would you want to share with ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï students as they pursue their educational goals?
You will never be sorry you got your degree, but you will always be sorry if you quit.
ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï recently introduced its new mission “Inspire hope, empower dreams, and transform lives ... one student at a time.†What does this mean to you?
Each student is an individual and ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï will flex to help that student succeed. Most educational institutions practice more of a "conform or perish" mission. ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï allows students the flexibility to earn a degree that fits into their lifestyle.
ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï is celebrating 75 years of excellence in education. What does that history mean to you? Why is it important?
We were unique from the very beginning, and there was a need for education that wasn’t being met. We stepped up, and we have been stepping up ever since.
Where do you hope to see ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï in the next 75 years?
The world will be better educated because of ºÚÁÏÍø±¬³Ô¹Ï and, whatever the future looks like, we will continue to help shape higher education.