California State University, Sacramento officials confirm one of its alumna was among those who died in the Dec. 3 Oakland warehouse fire.
“We are sad to share the news that Sac State alumna Jennifer Mendiola was among those who died in the Oakland fire,” Sac State officials tweeted.
Mendiola graduated from Sac State in 2010, said Elisa Smith, communications director at Sac State.
Mendiola later attended University of California, Merced, as a graduate student, said Dorothy Leland, the university chancellor.
“It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I write today to inform you that graduate student Jennifer Mendiola has been confirmed as one of the victims who perished in the tragic Oakland warehouse fire last weekend,” Leland wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Jennifer’s family, friends, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Mendiola, 35, was a fifth-year health psychology graduate student in the School of Social Sciences, studying factors that influence risk behaviors and poor health, including one’s close relationships and emotional experiences, the statement read.