Correia began working at the University's Nursery a decade ago and now manages both its production and the educational needs of the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

She graduated with her bachelor's degree in plant science (horticulture) in 2002, but her educational journey didn’t stop there. In 2010, she earned a Certificate in Horticultural Therapy from the Horticultural Therapy Institute. In 2015, she received her master's degree in interdisciplinary studies (rehabilitation counseling and plant science). Her research was based on therapeutic horticulture.

But her first love is living on the wild side – or, rather, working with plants.

As she watches students grow from freshmen to seniors, she sees how they grow into their passions. Often, she sees them change after they get a taste of the wild life – working outside with plants.

While it might sound like pure fun, horticulture takes a lot of effort and thought.

"Some of the students have built all of the raised beds on their own,’ she said. ‘They do pretty much every piece of the project on their own with guidance from teachers and volunteers. They plant the vegetables. They choose and create their own designs. They keep track of the growth of the plants and give weekly presentations on different plant-related topics. Every semester they do different projects."

Her students participate in the Techniques for Access Reaching Goals and Employment Training (TARGET) job skills program, recognized among the state’s top education programs by the California School Board Association. The students in the TARGET program take a horticulture class as a part of their curriculum.

Her students also have been donating part of their harvest to the Student Cupboard, the free food and hygiene pantry for current Fresno State students.

"We just started last fall, but hope to continue donating every semester," she said. "Last fall we donated several bins of bok choi and lettuce."

The donations mean students have access to fresh, local food that hasn't been treated with chemicals.

"Best of all, it's been grown with a lot of individual attention and lots of heart," she said.

Correia is involved with the Fresno State Arboretum Committee. She also teaches classes through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute and in the community. In addition, she is a guest presenter with the Horticultural Therapy Institute out of Denver, Colorado.

Correia says she not only enjoys plants, but loves getting kids outdoors to let loose. Her own daughter, Isadora, 6, takes full advantage of this, being inclined to be a bit wild herself, says her mom.