Teaching & Mentorship
Adriana’s teaching philosophy is built on three core pillars: applying knowledge to the social world, fostering a collaborative learning environment, and demystifying academia. She strives to make abstract sociological theories accessible through storytelling, videos, music, and real-world examples—an approach inspired by language teaching methods that help students internalize complex ideas.
As a first-generation student, she prioritizes creating a supportive and inclusive classroom where students feel seen, valued, and comfortable taking intellectual risks. Adriana emphasizes that learning is a shared journey and that mistakes are essential for growth. She provides practical guidance on navigating academia to further support students, such as using office hours effectively or asking for recommendation letters. She adapts her teaching based on anonymous mid-semester feedback, reinforcing a student-centered approach. Above all, she believes students thrive when instructors lead with empathy, authenticity, and curiosity—and she brings that ethos into every class she teaches.
Adriana’s mentorship approach is rooted in encouragement, active listening, and a deep commitment to supporting students—particularly those from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds. She finds great fulfillment in helping students overcome impostor syndrome and recognize their potential for academic success, whether that means applying for research programs, scholarships, or considering graduate school. Witnessing their transformation—from self-doubt to self-assurance—is one of the most rewarding aspects of mentoring.
Adriana focuses on building students’ confidence by providing practical guidance on navigating the university system, accessing research opportunities, and planning for life after graduation. Through programs like the Sociology Undergraduate Honors Thesis, the Undergraduate Research Cohort (URC), Cal in Sacramento, and Berkeley Connect, she empowers students to contribute meaningfully to research with real-world implications and to carve a path that best suits their success in college.
Creating an inclusive, affirming environment is central to her approach. She pays close attention to verbal and non-verbal cues to ensure students feel heard, supported, and valued, especially in an academic setting that can heighten feelings of marginalization and insecurity.
Student Comments
"I have had a very hard time in the rest of my classes due to remote learning. I am a re–entry student and a single mother and the only reason I did not drop the entire semester is because I did not want to miss out on Adriana’s teaching. She helped me feel confident in the material because she presented it so well."
“One technique that Adriana employs, which I found particularly valuable, is her thorough preparation and analysis of the material before presenting it to the class. She ensures that complex topics are broken down into digestible parts, making it easier for us to understand. Additionally, her ability to facilitate productive conversations and discussions around the material helps deepen our comprehension. She encourages active participation and guides us through the content in a way that promotes critical thinking. Another technique I appreciate is Adriana’s approach to handling questions. If she doesn’t know the answer to somethingimmediately, she doesn't hesitate to acknowledge it and promises to revisit the topic later. This not only fosters trust but also shows her commitment to delivering accurate and thorough information.”
“I love that Adriana is patient in asking questions to students, verbally synthesizes our responses to show she is listening and understands, and encourages us to share our thoughts in an empathetic and empowering way.”
“Her thorough explanation of complex theorists! She provided a map and connected several theorists to an overall argument.”
“None! So glad Adrianna was our GSI. As a Mexican–American woman and also a first generation college student, I felt extremely comfortable talking to her as her experiences in academia often mirrored mine. She presented information in ways that were clear using direct language, but was never patronizing or never sounded like she was dumbing things down for us. She had high expectations for us and helped us fulfill those expectations with her exceptional teaching.”
“Adriana encouraged me to express my understanding of the readings by asking me questions as a dialogue in discussion section and in office hours. She was very creative by allowing us to create visuals to better understand the different theories. I enjoyed this because I am a visual learner. I enjoyed her elaborated feedback on my midterm and on the theory of action paper. That feedback is going to help me on my final exam. She is precise at answering questions.”