Frances Palu is all about holidays!!! She was born in Berkley, California on November 11th (Veteran’s Day). After graduating from Vallejo Senior High School, she enlisted in the United States Navy as an Engineman on March 17th (St. Patrick’s Day). Her first duty station was in LaMaddalena, Italy where she got to travel all over Europe. In 2003, Frances was deployed to the U.S.S. Ponce during Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war, she was also stationed in Bahrain until she received transfer orders to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia where she would be medically discharged on October 31st (Halloween). Crazy, right? In 2008, Frances enrolled at American River College and received her associate’s degree in Social Science. After graduating, she transferred to Sacramento State and got a job as a student assistant in the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies Dean’s Office. This will be the place where Frances would receive not only her bachelor’s in Sociology with a minor in Political Science but her true calling to support and uplift the Pacific Islander student community.

Currently, Frances Palu is an Administrative Analyst for the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Business Affairs at Sacramento State. Unfortunately, she began her career in higher education on a non-holiday – January 9. Frances is a strong advocate and supporter for the Asian Pacific Islander communities and students on campus. She completed a 4-day intensive training with the Leadership Development Program for Higher Education (LEAP ADVANCE) that is designed to enhance the professional development of Asian and Pacific Islanders working in higher education. You will catch Frances at APAHE (Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education) every year!

Education: Associate Degree, Social Science – American River College 2012
Bachelor Degree, Sociology (minor in Political Science), Sacramento State 2016
Master Degree, Political Science, Sacramento State, 2021
Doctoral Degree, #pending