Dr. Fernandez is currently the Student Support Services Director for the Lakeside Union School District and a Lecturer in the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education at San Diego State University. She is a former public school administrator and classroom teacher.

She maintains an active professional life overseeing her school's district school safety, student well-being, connectedness, attendance and overall student support programs. She is the foster youth and McKinney-Vento liaison for her district, working closely with the department of child and family wellbeing and the county office of education. She is liaison to students whose parent or guardian offers active duty service to any military branch.

Her passion in service of children and youth to improve systems of support, remove potential barriers and help anyone who is experiencing barriers to school success stems from her desire to improve educational outcomes for all. Being an educator contributes to both her personal and professional growth. She finds volunteering time in the county of San Diego gratifying and gives one hundred percent to any task she undertakes. She builds upon the connections she makes through community engagement, developing and maintaining key relationships in the community with civic leaders, community partners and professionals looking for opportunities to bring educational resources to her school district in support of students, staff and families.

Patricia is a native Angeleno with deep roots in the Mexican-American community. She grew up on the east side of Los Angeles. After graduating Roosevelt High School, she attended San Diego State University where as a first-generation graduate she received a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Multicultural Education, a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Educational Leadership, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. Her doctoral work is in the area of dual language immersion equity, access and K-12 leadership.

Dr. Fernandez is passionate about collaborating with educational partners to ensure youth have access to school supports and transition to high school with an achievable plan for success in college or trade school, military service, or direct entry to the world of work. During her tenure as director, Lakeside Union School District continues to gradually increase positive student attendance districtwide; she oversees the implementation of school safety initiatives including safety meetings that engage key community leaders and site administrators; health education programming, including youth mental health. as well as systems that maintain and promote campus safety.

Dr. Fernandez was appointed by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to a advisory board member role to the San Diego County Child & Family Strengthening Unit. Also she is a non-profit volunteer member of MANA de San Diego where she is leads on the Tías Leadership Committee and co-leads a summer college success institute for first-generation San Diego County Latina college students. She currently is a member of ACSA Region 18 and CALSA Region 6, supporting legislative advocacy efforts at the regional and state level on behalf of the students and educators in San Diego and Imperial Counties. She is a past City of Chula Vista Commissioner.