Pat earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a student-athlete in Track & Field/Cross Country and Rugby. He also served as Project Manager for the university’s Concrete Canoe Team for two years, leading engineering efforts and team coordination resulting in qualification to Nationals.

Following graduation, Pat joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in Lesotho, a mountainous region in southern Africa. There, he and his team were responsible for designing and constructing pedestrian bridges across rivers that were otherwise impassable for months at a time, providing critical access for local communities.

Upon returning to the U.S., Pat worked on a range of civil engineering projects—from hydraulic analysis for wastewater treatment facilities to designing highway on-ramp vertical curves. After several years in the industry, he discovered a passion for education and transitioned into teaching and coaching at the high school level.

Since 2003, Pat has taught physics, engineering, and computer science at St. Patrick High School and Benet Academy. Beyond the classroom, he has coached track and field, Science Olympiad, and robotics teams, combining his technical expertise with a deep commitment to student development.