Gloria Z. Pacho

This scholarship was created by Professor Maria T. Pacho, CSULB Alumna ‘93/Loma Linda University Alumna ’95, and lecturer for the Chicano and Latino Studies Department to honor her mother Gloria Z. Pacho (pictured). Her mother battled with end-stage breast cancer during Maria’s college years, but in spite of her illness, Gloria Pacho encouraged her daughter to continue her education and help others in need. Gloria was very active in the Boyle Heights community. She was a Girl Scout leader, active with her parish community and taught English to recent immigrants. Although her daughter was her main priority, she always made time to help others, including providing piano lessons to high-risk youth and children with disabilities.

Maria T. Pacho was born and raised in the Boyle Heights area in the City of Los Angeles. Professor Pacho graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Mexican American Studies. She continued her graduate education at Loma Linda University, School of Public Health with a Master of Public Health, with emphases in Community Health Promotion/Education and Administration.