Eiko Kitao, M.A.
- Earth and Planetary Sciences, Lab Technician
About Eiko
I was born in Tokyo, Japan and immigrated to the US when I was three. I was an undocumented person until I was 15 and applied for legalization through the Amnesty program. My mom raised 5 of us by herself, working her fingers to the bone to provide for us. I didn’t go to college until after I had my two children, when I realized a college degree was the only solution to provide for my family. I enrolled at SBCC where I discovered Earth Science, and found my purpose in life. I graduated from UCSB in 2011 with a B.S. in Geological Sciences, the same year my son graduated from 6th grade and my daughter graduated from high school. I went on to get my Master’s in Geography at Cal State Northridge in 2018, and have been teaching ever since. I was a non-traditional student, re-entry, single mother of two when I started my academic path. I advocate for all students by showing that I am a living testament to the result of perseverance.