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When Elizabeth (Liz) Phelan ’92 decided to return to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in Nursing, she needed a program that could accommodate her busy schedule as a single working parent.

“I was a single mom,” Liz said. “I had to work full-time to support my son and myself, and needed a program with the flexibility to help me achieve my professional goals.”  She found that flexibility at Saint Mary’s, which at that time had an intercollegiate two-year nursing program with Samuel Merritt College in Oakland.

Saint Mary’s recognized Liz’s extensive professional nursing experience and gave her credit towards courses, which allowed her to complete her bachelor’s degree in just one year. Liz attended classes three days a week, while her parents cared for her son, and worked as a registered nurse in the emergency department at a hospital in Merced to support herself and pay for school. Liz credits the degree that she earned at the College with helping her to “expand my horizons dramatically.”

After five years of working at UC Davis Medical Center, Liz decided to pursue a graduate degree in order to work in a clinical setting. She earned a master of science in Nursing as well as a Family Nurse Practitioner certification from Samuel Merritt College. Liz then moved to Southern California to work in clinical settings while she and her husband Jeff raised their growing family. The couple has five children, three boys and two girls.

A proud Gael

A proud Gael, Liz continues to give back to the Saint Mary’s community by serving on several volunteer leadership boards, including stints on the School of Science Advisory Board, the Board of Regents, and her current role on the Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, Liz is passionate about Saint Mary’s commitment to and support for its students, embedded in the Christian Brothers’ values of caring for others.

“Saint Mary’s meets people where they are and helps them develop into the people they want to be,” Liz said. “They pay attention. They know their students.”

“Saint Mary’s meets people where they are and helps them develop into the people they want to be,” Liz said. “They pay attention. They know their students.”

Most recently, Liz spearheaded an initiative among her fellow Trustee members to upgrade the Ferroggiaro Quad in response to a presentation to the Board about opportunities to enhance the student experience. “I had been looking for a project to get the women on the Board to take on independently,” she said. “Women are so dynamic and can do anything. We get things done quickly.” She approached her fellow female Trustees to garner their support, and they agreed to contribute to make the project a reality.

“Liz’s leadership was critical in rallying the troops together for this project.  Her passion for Saint Mary’s College is unparalleled,” said former Trustee Michelle Perry Higgins ’94. “When she approached me and the other female board members with her passion and concise needs, we were all eager to support her and Saint Mary’s College with the Ferroggiaro Quad remodel.”

A gift to last a lifetime

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To express her gratitude for the life-changing education she received at Saint Mary’s, Liz has also established a generous bequest to the College in her estate. Her legacy gift will help to ensure that current and future Gaels can have access to the same educational opportunities that transformed her nursing career. 

Mark Jones, Executive Director of Legacy Planning, expressed his appreciation both for Liz’s estate gift as well as her leadership in promoting for Saint Mary’s. “Liz has been a key leader in helping Saint Mary’s to further build its legacy-giving program,” he said. “She has been generous with her time in helping us get the word out on the program, and has made her own generous financial commitment to ensure the College’s bright future.”

Based on her own experience as a single working mother who had to work hard to overcome obstacles to obtain an education, Liz finds deep satisfaction in her work to support Saint Mary’s College and the unique opportunities that the College provides to its students. “Saint Mary’s small size enables it to create programs that allow people to do things that they couldn’t normally do,” she said “I love being able to help provide those opportunities to other students.”

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Explore  and contact Mark Jones by email or 925.631.4218.