CSTEM Outstanding Graduate Follows in Mom’s Footsteps

Patricia Tulloch considers herself to have two homes: her childhood home in Vista and Cal State San Marcos.  

Growing up, Tulloch spent most of her summers and free time at Cal State San Marcos, either tagging along with her mom at work, running through the halls or volunteering.  

Tulloch’s mom, Tricia Henlon, is an alumna of CSUSM’s class of 1995 and now works as the budget and operations manager for the Extended Learning Building. As such a longstanding member of the campus community, she got to see it grow exponentially while raising her daughter.  

“My mom was here back when signups for the school were in the Jerome’s parking lot,” Tulloch said. “It’s been cool to kind of compare and contrast her experience to mine. When the time came to choose where to go for my bachelor's, I already had such a strong connection to the campus, it was an easy decision to follow in my mom’s footsteps.”  

In 2019, 24 years after her mom graduated, Tulloch enrolled at Cal State San Marcos to study biology.  

Tulloch had gained interest in the sciences at an early age. The world of medicine and healing sounded fascinating to her, and she was eager to learn more about the field alongside those who shared her passion.  

Unfortunately, the first half of her college career was derailed due to the pandemic. Opportunities to connect with peers and join organizations were stilted, and Tulloch found herself feeling removed from a sense of community with everything moved to online. 

“I didn’t really know anyone who was interested in medicine or similar things,” said Tulloch. “I also didn’t know how to put myself out there or have anyone to guide me, so it felt hard for me to get involved.” 

As the pandemic progressed and Tulloch reached her sophomore year, she decided to take action and carve out her own path to meet other students on the medical track. She joined the Pre-Health Society as event coordinator, hosting beach clean-ups and setting up workshops to make baby blankets for sick children. With each event, Tulloch built connections with her peers and recognized how others felt similarly disconnected to the community after the pandemic. This inspired her to become a student liaison to mentor other members and raise camaraderie within the organization.  

Thriving in her leadership roles, Tulloch felt ready to tackle her next challenge and became president of the Pre-Health Society for the 2022-23 school year. Handling communications and brainstorming ideas to expand the club’s reach, Tulloch put together the event she is most proud of, a panel of UC San Diego School of Medicine students who shared their experiences and advice with CSUSM students.  

“Growing the pre-medical space on campus has been so important to me these past years,” Tulloch said. “We’re a small but mighty community, and I think it’s so important to create a space for students where they can come in and nurture their passions in an environment that feels safe and supportive.”  

Tulloch helped students identify and guide their interests in other organizations, as well. Understanding the importance of mentorship and thinking about what she wished she knew early on in her education journey, Tulloch joined the leadership team for the Student Healthcare Readiness Program. This program works with high school students interested in studying medicine and offers them support to ensure they start college feeling confident and prepared. 

“It’s such an awesome feeling to know that you can have a positive effect on somebody,” Tulloch said. “Seeing potential in someone that they haven’t quite yet seen in themselves and pulling it out of them and watching their confidence grow is something I can’t even put into words. I love it.”  

As Tulloch expanded her community with each new mentee and peer, she also developed her research skills and real-world experience with medicine.  

She conducted research studies alongside biology professors Julie Jameson and Elinne Becket and has presented at national conferences. She also became treasurer of the Flying Samaritans, a club on campus that hosts a free clinic in Mexico and offers checkups to residents who face barriers accessing health care.  

“If you had asked me if I would be doing research or getting involved in such exciting things when I first started college, I would have laughed at you,” Tulloch said. “I think I’ve done more than I ever expected to, and that’s an amazing feeling to have.”  

This spring, Tulloch, who was named the CSTEM Dean's Outstanding Graduate for her academic and service accomplishments, graduated with a bachelor’s in biology and minor in public health. She is looking forward to pursuing medical school, and currently she is working as a medical assistant at Scripps Medical Center and practicing pediatrics and adult medicine.  

“As I watched Patty grow into a beautiful young lady who has always wanted to be a doctor, she has faced challenges with grace, embraced opportunities with courage and pursued her dreams with hard work, perseverance and dedication,” Henlon said. “I am so proud of her.” 

Tulloch considers her experiences at CSUSM and the support of her mom to be what have shaped her into the person that she is today.  

“Since I was little, my mom has told me I can be whatever I want to be, and I think her unwavering belief and confidence has always left me sure that I can do anything I set my mind to,” Tulloch said. “She is the blueprint for me. She is my best friend, my biggest supporter and the best person I know. 

“Being raised by her and growing up around the Extended Learning staff and the deans over there, has truly been some of the best mentorship for me.”  

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