I am an award-winning instructor with nearly a decade of experience teaching and mentoring diverse student populations. As a professor, I employ a dynamic, student-centered teaching agenda that emphasizes the development of students’ technical abilities in writing, analysis, and research, as well as their creativity, critical thinking, and cultural competence. I strive to link theory to real-world engagement and tailor my discussions, lectures, assignments, and evaluations to learners from many walks of life, perspectives, and learning styles. Outside of the classroom I have also mentored six first-generation Latinx undergraduate students as research assistants, involving the students in my research projects. Of the students I have worked with, three have gone on to pursue graduate studies in the social sciences or humanities.

Teaching

Student Research & Honors Program

In my Honors Introduction to Sociology courses at Fullerton College, I integrate a scaffolded research sequence that guides students from initial topic development to conference-ready projects. Through this process, students produce original research portfolios grounded in sociological theory and peer-reviewed scholarship.

Many of these projects are accepted for presentation at the Honors Transfer Council of California Conference, where students present their work to a broader academic audience. For many, this represents their first experience conducting and presenting research in a professional setting.

This work is especially meaningful in the context of community college education, where many of my students are first-generation college students. By emphasizing research, writing, and public presentation, I aim to equip students with the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in their academic and professional trajectories.

Student Outcomes

  • Students develop original research projects grounded in sociological theory and peer-reviewed scholarship

  • 9 students accepted to present at the Honors Transfer Council of California Conference since 2022

  • Completion of full research portfolios (proposal → annotated bibliography → literature review → final paper)

  • Strong emphasis on supporting first-generation and community college students

  • Experience presenting research in a professional academic setting

Research Process

Students complete a scaffolded research sequence that builds analytical, writing, and research skills over the semester:

  • Topic selection and research question development

  • Guided use of library databases and peer-reviewed sources

  • Annotated bibliography and source evaluation

  • Literature review and synthesis of scholarly debates

  • Final research paper grounded in sociological analysis

  • Preparation for conference-style presentations

Why it matters

This approach helps students move beyond passive learning by engaging directly in the production of knowledge. Through research and presentation, students build:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills

  • Academic research and writing proficiency

  • Confidence in public speaking and presenting ideas

  • A stronger foundation for transfer, upper-division coursework, and graduate study

For many students, this is their first opportunity to see themselves as researchers—an experience that can be transformative for their academic and professional trajectories.

Selected Student Papers

Student projects reflect a wide range of sociological interests and real-world concerns. Recent topics have included:

  • Racial Capitalism: Dominance, Inequality, and Abolitionist Resistance.

This paper examines how racial capitalism produces and sustains systemic inequality through the exploitation of racialized labor. Drawing on critical race and political economy perspectives, it explores how abolitionist movements challenge these structures and imagine alternative social arrangements.

  • Antes de Que Nos Olviden, Haremos Historía: State Violence and Authoritarianism in Cold War Mexico

    This paper analyzes the 1968 Tlatelolco Massacre within the broader context of Cold War politics, demonstrating how the Mexican state deployed violence and repression to suppress dissent and maintain authoritarian control.

  • Defacto Discrimination in Higher Education: How Socioeconomic status shapes student access, identity, and opportunity.

    This paper investigates how socioeconomic inequality structures access to higher education and shapes students’ academic experiences. It highlights how institutional practices and resource disparities reproduce inequality, influencing students’ sense of belonging, identity, and long-term opportunities.

  • The Impact of Social Media on Modern Dating: A review of the sociological research literature on young adults

    This literature review synthesizes sociological research on how social media platforms are transforming dating practices among young adults. It examines how digital technologies reshape intimacy, communication, and relationship formation in contemporary society.

  • Understanding Unhoused Transgender Populations

    This paper explores the structural conditions that contribute to disproportionately high rates of homelessness among transgender individuals. It examines the intersecting impacts of discrimination, economic marginalization, and barriers to social services, while also highlighting strategies of resilience and survival.

Courses Taught

  • Honors Introduction to Sociology

  • Modern Sociological Theory

  • Social Change in Latin America

  • Introduction to Latin American Studies

  • Sociology of Race and Ethnicity

  • Social Problems

  • World Systems and Globalization