For most of her life, Renee Maldonado put herself and her dreams in boxes - categories that people thought the young Hispanic woman from Santa Clara should settle for. She became a secretary. Next a wife. Then a mother. And a beautician.
"I hadn't exhausted all the female roles," she said.
Finally in her mid-30s and newly divorced, she stepped outside those boxes to realize her own goals. Twenty years after a school counselor told her "her kind" wasn't college material, crushing her confidence, Maldonado realized she had the smarts to aspire to any ambition.
She dropped her word-processing classes at American River College in favor of sociology courses and later transferred to UC Davis, where she earned her degree in applied behavioral sciences in 1989. Ultimately, Maldonado also earned a master's degree in education.
After holding several jobs in diversity education on campus, Maldonado in 2000 became the director of UC Davis MESA (Math, Science and Engineering Achievement). The program helps young students from disadvantaged backgrounds learn skills that will make them college-bound.
For the winter term, leaders of the Women's Resources and Research Center have named Maldonado their Woman of the Quarter for the obstacles she has overcome and her commitment to helping young women reach their goals. A colorful bulletin board adorned with family photos taken throughout Maldonado's life hangs outside the women's center in North Hall.
"It is such an honor," Maldonado said.
"It's given by women who believe in me. That's something I hope I can give back (to the community)."
The recognition has already paid dividends for Maldonado's family, which includes daughter Monique Vasquez, who works for the Department of Internal Medicine, and son David Vasquez, an engineering student at UCLA. Monique also has three young children.
Shortly after Maldonado received the award, her 8-year-old grandson, Nathan, came home upset. A boy at school said he didn't want to play with him because of his multi-racial background, Maldonado said, noting the boy told Nathan - who has Hispanic, Native American and African American heritage - his color made him dumb.
After hearing Nathan's story, Maldonado took her grandson right to that wall in North Hall, where his picture was displayed alongside Renee's.
"I said," Maldonado recalled, 'You can't be dumb. You are on the wall at the University of California, Davis.'"
The incident showed Maldonado, she said, that although she's achieved her dreams, she still has plenty of work to do.
What do you like best about your job?
Knowing that I can bring choices to young people's lives.
And least?
Paper and politics.
What MESA accomplishment has made you the most proud?
We've gone from 42 students to more than 400. We are about ready to pick up three schools, so we will be at 11. We've gone from three teachers to 15. I'm so proud of the students and the teachers.
What's your favorite spot on campus?
Probably the Quad. It's so full of life. The students come out in dance. It's a happy place. Everything happens on the Quad.
Seen any good movies lately?
A Beautiful Mind because I was able to see the fine line between genius and insanity.
Who inspires you?
My children and my students. When you see young people when they are so full of life and hopes and dreams, it's exciting.
There are also some very cool people on this campus. They also like young people and education and dreams. It's a nice blend.
What do you do during the weekend?
Recently it's been work, but I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren and friends. And I spend a lot of time with me.
What's your guilty pleasure?
A chocolate truffle. It has to be dark chocolate from Godiva. You have to go all the way. Actually, I don't associate much with guilt. I got over that in '95. It took a long time, but I said, "Enough, what's guilt doing for me?"
That chocolate truffle - I don't feel guilty; I just enjoy. •