She was a champion of diversifying the Stanford undergraduate population, a "second mom" and an inspiration to many students, according to her co-worker Victor Arias, MBA '82, and "an exceptional human being," said Martin Shell, vice president for development. "Quite simply, she made the people around her better," recalled her longtime colleague and close friend Marcela Muñiz, '97, MA '08, PhD '12.
Anna Marie Zarate Porras, '89, MA '89, died of metastatic breast cancer on January 21 at her home in Redwood City. She was 48.
Porras, a California native, was the youngest of six children and an avid swimmer. She graduated from Redwood High School before arriving at the Farm. "She fell in love with Stanford and it with her, and she never really left," Shell noted fondly. Porras earned two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in the space of four years. During her sophomore year, she met Hector Porras, '88, MS '89, and they married in 1990.
After spending one year at Oracle, she joined Stanford's Office of Undergraduate Admission in 1991, leading outreach to Mexican-American/Chicano students. In addition to Porras's experience as a first-generation college student, her exceptional work ethic and gracious style made her an invaluable member of the team. "She inspired us to work with integrity, to do right by the students whose applications we were privileged to evaluate and to support our undergraduates so that they could become the best versions of themselves," said Muñiz. Cecilia Evangelista, '88, a former admissions colleague who now works in the Office of Development, hired Porras in 1991. She was "exceedingly dedicated," recalled Evangelista. "She was probably the difference between people saying yes to the offer or going elsewhere."
In addition to managing the freshman admission process and overseeing diversity and outreach efforts, Porras served as acting dean of admission for the 2004-05 academic year. She also supported matriculated students through her academic advising of residents in Casa Zapata.
A natural relationship builder, Porras transitioned to the Office of Development as associate director of major gifts in 2005. She remained there until 2014, leading fund-raising and volunteer engagement efforts in Southern California and earning a promotion to senior associate director of development. On January 12, Porras received the inaugural Office of Development Distinguished Service Award.
"She was always very cognizant of her own background and what Stanford meant to someone like her," said Arias. "She has clearly given it forward, and her legacy will continue to live on in all the lives she has touched."
Porras is survived by her husband, Hector; sons, Antonio and Manuel; mother, Vera Zarate; and four siblings.
Marisa Messina, '16, is a Stanford intern.
