In the Chicana/o studies department on campus, Griselda Castro advises students on their troubles at both school and home. She participates in university student affairs and educational equity committees and serves as a liaison between students and faculty members in the Chicana/o Studies program.

Castro came to UC Davis in 1982 after working at Stanford University and the California Postsecondary Education Commission.

Her hard work, however, has always been for the benefit of her students, not for personal recognition, she said. "I've never been about making a career for myself in higher education," said Castro, whose official title is Chicana/o studies student affairs coordinator. "I've always just wanted to make a difference."

After completing coursework for a counseling master's program at San Jose State University in 1974, Castro chose a career in higher education to help train "the next generation of leadership."

She counts her successes in the accomplishments of her former students, like U.S. Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Los Angeles. He worked as an intern under Castro at Stanford.

Many former students have sent her postcards over the past 25 years to say, "Thanks for helping me out," she said.

But Castro can't always escape public notice, especially from her fans, like the people at the Women's Resources and Research Center. For her passion for students and professionalism on the job, Castro was recently named Woman of the Winter Quarter by the center. A photo exhibit highlighting Castro's accomplishments is currently on display at the center's North Hall.

"She's been an advocate and a role model for students-and the rest of us- for social change," said center director Robin Whitmore.

Castro works so that other Mexican-American students do not have to face some of the same struggles she did in education.

As a student growing up in Woodland, Castro describes herself as "a product of the tracking system." Although she was active in student government and got good grades, school counselors were hesitant to put her into college prep classes because of her ethnicity, she said. She persevered, however, and went on to college.

Now Castro wants to make sure the current generation of college students succeeds.

"The students of color are our precious nuggets," Castro said. "They've survived all the battles. Now the goal is to retain them."

When are you the happiest?

When I see my children (Noemi, 23, and Ismael "Milito" Jr., 18) happy, it makes me happy. I could think of a lot of other things in the world, but my children are very close to me and their well-being is the most important to me. I also like to go for walks; I like to garden. Flowers in my garden-that makes me happy.

What distresses you most?

I get upset with social and political inequalities.

Who are your role models?

It's a collection of a lot of Latina professional women who I've admired-my mother (Catalina Martinez), my aunts and a collection of people who I've worked with, like Cecilia Berciaga, now the vice president for student affairs at California State University, Monterey Bay. They were all dedicated to social change. My mother was a can-do, take-charge woman. She was an effective, organized woman who made a little money go a long way. My sister (Rosalinda Martinez) is also a role model. She works tirelessly for the community, and at Davis with the California Mini-Corps (a program that trains students from migrant backgrounds to teach).

What is something about you that most people would be surprised to learn?

I'm a pretty normal person. I was born in Mexico. I came to this country when I was 5. My great-grandmother, however, was said to be the first cousin to (Apache leader) Geronimo's first wife. I always think it's fun to think about this connection to the Apaches before there were any borders. They roamed freely along the Sierra Madre.

What is your pet peeve?

Mean-spirited public policy gets under my skin. The legislation in California in recent years, the propositions-227, 187, 209-I believe they thwart the progress and development of social justice.

How do you relieve stress?

Gardening and visiting with friends. I used to go to my son's (high school) baseball games. You wouldn't think of anything except the next play. Now that he's graduated, I miss it a lot. It was my best de-stressor.

Read any good books lately?

liked The Anatomy of the Spirit, by Carolyn Mayss. It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of the connection between body, mind and spirit. In our hectic everyday life, it is easy to neglect our human energy system. I believe that understanding the power of our spiritual being is key in achieving personal wholeness and well-being.

also like Sandra Cisneros (author of The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories). My favorite quote from her is, "I want them to be women who make things happen, not women who things happen to." •