1951
Born in Independence, Missouri to Millard Henry and E. Lorene Gates.
1971
Joins the U.S. Army student nurse program.
1973
Receives a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
1976
Receives a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas.
1978
Leaves active duty from the U.S. Army and serves as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years.
1979
Becomes an instructor of nursing at El Paso Community College (EPCC) in Texas.
1983
Is certified in ambulatory women’s healthcare from the Nurses Association of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
1985
Serves as acting division chairman of health occupations and is appointed Director of Nursing at EPCC.
1989
Co-authors “Nursing Perspectives and Issues.”
1991
Selected as evaluator for military programs by the American Council on Education.
1991
Selected as a site visitor for the CAPTE and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
1996
Receives a Doctor of Education in education administration from New Mexico State University.
1999
Serves Dean of Health Occupation at El Paso Community College and is inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame by the El Paso Commission.
2000
Is Dean Health Career and Technical Ed., Math and Science at the Rio Grande campus of EPCC and Campus Dean of Rio Grande Campus.
2002
Named an Outstanding Alumni by the Department of Education Management and Development of New Mexico State University.
2013
Receives the Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Society of Allied Health Professionals.
2014
Receives the NISOD Excellence Award.
2016
Elected as National Vice Commander-in-Chief for the military order of the World Wars.
2018
Serves as interim associate vice president for instruction and student success.
2019
Appointed as Associate Vice President Of Instruction And Student Success at El Paso Community College.