About

Lisa Velasquez

Administrative Assistant

 Likely the first face you’ll see when arriving at Saint Thomas Academy (STA), Lisa Velasquez, stationed at the front office, is all smiles. As the administrative assistant, she’s involved in just a little bit of everything but, notably, helping students and their parents feel welcomed, supported and informed in regard to their experiences at STA.

 Lisa is an expert when it comes to service—prior to her work at STA and moving to Central Oregon in 2007, she lived in California where she held numerous positions, from being a server to a corporate book fair representative, an admissions counselor and a certified parenting coach at a therapeutic treatment center. As a child, she was drawn to the ocean and dreamed about becoming a marine biologist some day. Yet drawn even more to her family, Lisa grew up devoting free time and holidays to her relatives, who commonly threw get-togethers of between 50-100 family members.

 Today, Lisa enjoys cooking and traveling—but finds it’s most fun when she’s with her Oregon family, which includes 10 grandchildren who keep her evenings and weekends very busy. Without a doubt, she’s also deeply devoted to her “family” at STA, where her warmth, energy and selflessness is not unlike that of a real relative. Students easily turn to her with questions, joyful hellos and hugs, or for help, whether it’s to borrow the phone to call home or get a Band-Aid for a knee in need. Happy, generous and forgiving, Lisa brings a cheerful disposition to her work at STA. A consummate multi-tasker with countless roles and responsibilities, she juggles everything from customer service tasks to responding to the principal’s needs, and supporting the school’s various fundraisers and activities. No question about it, Lisa gets so many jobs done, managing it all with patience and, as mentioned, a beautiful, genuine smile. 

 Favorite saint? I love St. Teresa of Calcutta for her absolute selflessness, love and devotion to help those no one else would—the poorest of the poor!  St. Padre Pio is also a favorite. He suffered so much but was known for his piety, charity and his famous saying, “Pray, hope and don’t worry.”

Joined STA in 2011

contact email: admin@redmondacademy.com