Mackenzie Patefield

My involvement has helped me make Sonoma State feel like home, and has given me a vehicle to help others feel accepted and content on campus.

My name is FACES OF SSU Mackenzie Patefield I use she and her pronouns and I’m a communications major. I would describe myself as a meticulous hard worker who wants nothing more than to help those around her. I come from a low income family, who has faced homelessness, divorce and a plethora of problems. Through all of the deleterious issues I’ve experienced, I’ve picked myself up and maintained a high GPA while keeping myself involved at school. I am involved in many things at SSU. I am the Seawolf Pride Event Director in ASP, I am the Career Center’s Student Outreach Assistant, and I am a Peer Facilitator for the SYRCE program. In addition, I am the President of the Women’s Club Soccer Team.

My involvement on campus has been the reason why Sonoma State is my home. I struggled with finding my place on campus my first year, and this spiraled into feeling outcasted and unable to fit in. Luckily, I overcame this issue by getting involved in my FLC, and playing intramural indoor soccer. Once I got a taste of the several ways to get involved on campus, I jumped all the way in. My second year of college, I became a Resident Advisor for the FYE Community. This was one of the most positive experiences for me at SSU. As an RA, I was able to plan engaging programs for residents and was a support system for students who felt out of place, just as I did my first year. I’m all about passing around good karma and spreading the lessons I’ve learned in life to others in hopes to help someone else through a tough time.

I believe a Face of SSU should be someone who can reach several different pools of students, and be able to meaningfully connect with them. I truly believe that I actively reach out to many different types of students and work to make their experience at SSU worth while. I do this through helping my students find the proper on-campus resources as a Peer Facilitator. As an ASP Event Director, I plan and execute events for students to mingle with new people and create lasting memories with their familiar friends. I make connections through helping undocumented students navigate Handshake in the Career Center. I build up my soccer team when we are down two goals in a game.

My involvement has helped me make Sonoma State feel like home, and has given me a vehicle to help others feel accepted and content on campus. My life has been dedicated to SSU as soon as I moved into my suite freshman year. I have been lucky enough to reap the benefits of several different organizations on campus. I love being a Seawolf and truly feel that I represent so many types of students at SSU. I embody the highs and lows of college. I represent hitting rock bottom and rising to the top by getting involved in what motivates you to become a better version of yourself.

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