Portland State Magazine Winter 2019

20 PORTLAND STATE students are known for going to great lengths to get an education, but Lisa Allred may have set a new bar. Currently a master’s student in PSU’s School of Social Work, Allred did some of her undergraduate work in San Diego, and made it affordable by moving to Tijuana, Mexico, and commuting by motorcycle on and off for about 10 years. “I couldn’t afford to live in San Diego as a student,” says Allred. “For $300 a month I had an ocean view apartment in Mexico that would have cost me thousands in Southern California. It was the only way to be a college student without going into incredible debt.” The motorcycle was an integral part of her resourceful plan. “Crossing the border in a car takes at least three hours post 9-11,” says Allred. “On a motorcycle, I could zip right to the front of the line and cross in five to 10 minutes. It was the only way to make the commute possible.” WRITTEN BY KURT BEDELL MAKING IT WORK Online student Lisa Allred’s resourceful approach to life is helping her reach her goals. Lisa Allred takes online social work classes from her home in Medford surrounded by her pugs. Photo by Jim Craven.