CWU Information Services manager developed confidence through adversity

Lidia Mendez Anderson’s journey from a migrant farm worker’s daughter to a successful administrator and soon-to-be college graduate is one of resilience, perseverance, and self-discovery.

Her life story is not just about overcoming adversity but about how she learned to build confidence, defy expectations, and embrace the strength of community, mentorship, and education.

Born into a migrant family, Lidia’s early years were spent traveling between Texas and Washington state. Her American family, deeply rooted in both Tejano and German cultures, instilled in her a sense of pride and a belief that family is everything. She recalls fond memories of living with her extended family—her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—in homes where her grandmother swept the compact-dirt porch.

“We didn’t have much, but my grandmother took great pride in what we did have,” Lidia says.

Despite the hardships of living in poverty and constantly moving, Lidia always felt a deep sense of community. The experience taught her to be resourceful and showed her the value of hard work.

"I grew up in a very close-knit family,” Lidia says. “We all had to rely on each other. It wasn’t easy, but I never felt alone.”

Her childhood was shaped by these moments, whether it was playing with her cousins or watching her grandmother prepare meals with the limited resources they had. These memories taught Lidia to be adaptable and creative—lessons that would serve her well later in life.

However, as much as her early years were filled with love and support, they also came with challenges. The instability of constantly moving meant that Lidia, like many migrant children, struggled academically. It wasn’t until the sixth grade, when her family decided to settle in Sunnyside, Washington, that she began to find the stability that would help her embrace education.

For the first time in her life, Lidia had the opportunity to truly focus on her studies, which sparked a sense of possibility she had never considered before.

“I remember the DECA Club came to talk to us in the sixth grade about planning for the future and having a career. That was a turning point for me. I thought, ‘I want to be in DECA. I want a career,’” she says.

Eyes On the Future

Lidia set her sights on becoming a secretary, believing that this was the professional path she could realistically achieve. But life had other plans, and her path was full of unexpected turns and lessons that helped her build the confidence she would need to succeed later in life.

Lidia’s teenage years were marked by personal struggles, including the stress of family conflicts and the difficulties her siblings faced. Her sister’s decision to run away from home weighed heavily on Lidia, as did the breakdown of her parents' marriage. At one point, she found herself falling behind in school, feeling lost and unsure of her future.

But a conversation with her vice principal changed everything. He recognized her intelligence and potential, and encouraged her to stick with school, promising that if she kept going, she would graduate. That advice stuck with her.

“I knew I had to do something. I couldn’t let all of this go to waste,” Lidia reflects. “I had to find a way to make something of myself.”

With renewed determination, she completed her high school education, though it wasn’t without its setbacks. Her mother was pursuing her own GED, and Lidia joined her in the process. It was a symbolic moment—a mother and daughter earning their GEDs together—that would serve as a reminder that education was not just a personal goal but a family value.

Even after earning her GED, Lidia believed that college was out of reach. Raised in a family where higher education seemed like an impossible dream, she did not believe she could attend college, nor did she think the military was an option due to her lack of a high school diploma.

But that didn’t stop her from finding work. Her first job after high school was at Subway, and she continued to seek opportunities to grow. Eventually, she secured a position as a secretary, and for a while, it felt like a victory.

“I made it! I’m a secretary!” she says with a smile.

Continuous Learning

However, Lidia’s innate curiosity and desire for growth meant that she was always striving for more.

“I’ve never been satisfied with just doing my job. I always wanted to do more. I’d ask for more tasks or more responsibility. I wanted to learn,” she says.

And learn, she did.

She took on new roles, moving from sales processor to program coordinator at the Chamber of Commerce, where she began building valuable professional connections. From there, she moved into a new position at ESD 105 as an administrative secretary. That position would prove pivotal in Lidia’s development. Her supervisor and mentor saw potential in her that she had yet to see in herself.

“Every job I’ve had, I’ve always done more than what I was asked,” she says. “My boss at ESD 105 believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He gave me opportunities to learn new skills, like installing software or figuring out how to wipe a computer. He believed in my abilities even when I didn’t.”

Her supervisor’s mentorship boosted her confidence and set her on a path toward something greater. Eventually, her hard work and new skills earned her a promotion and a shift into the technology field. She had become indispensable to the team, and her confidence grew with each new challenge.

But even as she gained professional success, Lidia was still haunted by self-doubt. A turning point came when her new boss at ESD 105 told her that she wasn’t qualified for a technology position that had opened up. Instead of backing down, Lidia confronted her boss and defended her capabilities.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is the moment. I’ve got to believe in myself,’” she recalls, knowing that if she didn’t stand up for herself, no one else would.

This moment of self-assertion was a turning point. Lidia realized that she had the skills and the knowledge to succeed, no matter what others said. It was this newfound confidence that led her to apply for a position at Central Washington University in November 2012.

She had never considered higher education as a viable career path, but with the encouragement of mentors and her growing belief in herself, she took the leap and applied for the role of Information Technology Specialist 3.

Personal Challenge

It was at CWU that Lidia’s journey into education truly began. Although she initially hesitated, unsure if she could succeed in the classroom, she eventually enrolled in her first class in 2019.

It took six years for her to take that first step, but once she did, there was no turning back.

“I got an A in my first class; it was such a big deal to me,” she says proudly. “I felt like I could do this, and not only could I do it, but I could do it well.”

Encouraged by faculty members, professional staff, and peers, Lidia continued to take more classes, eventually becoming a full-time student in 2024. Her success in the classroom mirrored her professional achievements, and she soon found her name on the honor roll.

“CWU has been a place where I’ve truly grown,” Lidia says. “I’ve made lasting connections, and the community here has supported me in ways I never imagined.”

Lidia explained that she believes no one achieves success in isolation; everyone has a group of people who support and encourage them throughout their journey. Over the years, Lidia has been fortunate to have a cherished network of family and friends, but most importantly, her husband, Morgan, and their six children.

“They have championed my aspirations to become a better version of myself,” she says.

Along with the many people who have supported her throughout her life, Lidia also credits her strong faith in God for her success.

“That’s where it all begins,” she says. “My faith is very important to me.”

Lidia notes that she also benefited from the support of many professional advocates while working at various businesses and institutions in the Yakima Valley.

In 2012, CWU identified her customer service skills and strong information technology background and decided to bring her on as an IT Specialist.

Throughout her 13-year career at Central, Lidia has been fortunate to work alongside countless supporters who encouraged her and supported her aspirations.

“Their unwavering belief in me fueled my determination to achieve my long-held dream of becoming an undergraduate student at CWU,” Lidia says. “The support I received from the leadership in Enterprise Applications was instrumental, providing the guidance and resources necessary for me to successfully obtain my undergraduate degree. I am incredibly grateful for the mentorship of those who have never given up on me.”

Today, Lidia is a model of resilience—not just for her own family but for the entire CWU community. She currently serves as a manager for Campus Solutions Information Systems, and she feels like she is continuing to grow in her life and career.

Lidia’s journey is proof that, with hard work, a willingness to learn, and the support of mentors and community, anything is possible.

Her story is one of overcoming the odds—of finding confidence not just through academic achievement but through the relationships she’s built, the family she’s nurtured, and the resilience she’s discovered within herself.

All the while, she knows she couldn’t have done it alone.

“The support I have received from my friends, family, and mentors has been invaluable, serving as a reminder that with the right encouragement, anything is possible,” she says.

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Author Staci Sleigh-Layman is the former Associate Vice President of Human Resources, who retired from CWU on August 1. She completed a series of CWU employee features in 2025, and they are running periodically on Central Today.