My journey as an educator is deeply personal, shaped by my experiences as an immigrant and my commitment to creating opportunities for others.

I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and came to the U.S. at the age of seven with my mother and siblings, seeking a better life after enduring generational trauma and struggles in my home country. Our early years in the U.S. were marked by uncertainty and hardship. As the eldest of three children, I took on the role of provider early on, helping my mother in any way I could. By the time I was 17, I was working in a clothing factory alongside her, but I knew that education was my way forward. Despite being undocumented, I enrolled at LATTC and joined as many programs as I could—Puente, RISE Club, EOPS—anything that could help me stay on track and afford my education.

In 2012, my life changed when the DACA Program gave me the opportunity to apply for a work permit. I saved up the money for my sister and I to apply, and with that work permit, I landed a student worker job at the LATTC's Transfer Center. A year later, I was able to transfer to California State University, Long Beach, and in 2016, I graduated with a degree in Marketing. Shortly after, I was asked to help open the Dream Resource Center at LATTC, where my background and experience as an undocumented student guided me. We became a model for other campuses, and in 2018, I had the honor of serving on a Chancellor’s Advisory Board, advocating for immigrant students like myself. 

In 2019, I began teaching at Los Angeles City College, and I quickly fell in love with adult education. For me, teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a way to give back to the community and to help others overcome the obstacles I’ve faced. During this time, I also realized that continuing my education was my next step, so I pursued my MBA at Cal State LA, graduating in 2021. In 2024, I began teaching credit business classes through dual enrollment. 

Today, tomorrow and always, I see myself in many of my students, and I am committed to creating spaces where they feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to succeed. With over a decade of experience in education and student services, I believe I am uniquely positioned to make a lasting impact in this tenure role. My personal journey of resilience has led me here, and I am excited to continue serving students and my community in this capacity.

 As a dedicated professor, my approach to diversity surpasses mere inclusion; it embraces the power of positive change. Fostering social justice on campuses involves more than just representation and acknowledgment of marginalized communities. It requires confronting historical processes that led to the marginalization of certain groups to create a thriving learning environment for all. In my classes, I actively promote an atmosphere where students can openly share their obstacles, both inside and outside the classroom, impacting their performance and mental well-being. Moreover, I am committed to supporting students by respecting their preferred pronouns and ensuring they feel valued and seen. Additionally, I encourage students to express any discomfort they may have experienced during lectures, as we must address and overcome these challenges together. By cultivating such an environment of trust and open dialogue, I aim to provide an empowering learning experience that celebrates diversity and enables the growth and success of each student.