Patti was elected to the Nebraska State Board of Education in 2020 after serving for six years on the Norfolk Public Schools Board of Education. She spent 30+ years working in higher education positions before retiring. Her career included teaching education and psychology courses at Northeast Community College, Wayne State College, and the University of Nebraska. She was the Chair of Teacher Education at Dana College, NE and Western Governors University-Salt Lake City, UT. Her last position before retiring was Director of Faculty Development at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.
During her career Patti was a peer reviewer for The Higher Learning Commission, conducted professional development sessions for school districts and educational organizations, facilitated strategic planning sessions, mentored novice teachers, and sponsored the NECC Student Education Association.
Following retirement Patti has continued serving the education profession and her community. She was a Nebraska Association of School Boards Board Member and Legislation Committee Member, Norfolk Arts Center Board of Directors President, and a Teammates mentor. Teammates is a school-based mentoring program that inspires youth to reach their potential through mentoring.