“Not only did I accomplish my goal of getting a Ph.D., but I also get to teach a subject I am passionate about and have a comfortable life. That is all I need in life.”
A native of the Rio Grande Valley, and a Weslaco East High School graduate, Maria attended UTPA as an undergraduate and majored in Social Studies Composite. After graduating with her bachelor's degree in 2009, she pursued a master's degree in History at the same university. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso to pursue a Ph.D. in Borderlands History, where she earned her doctorate in May of 2020. Currently, she is a Teaching Assistant Professor at Kansas State University.
What influenced you to go into the career field you chose?
One of my primary motivators for the career path I chose was my love for history. From historical novels to documentaries, I was fascinated by the past and enjoyed learning about people in decades or centuries past. However, teaching was a career choice that I was not sure I wanted to pursue, even though I earned a Social Studies Composite degree focused on training secondary education teachers. As a result, I did not obtain my teaching license and instead pursued a master's and doctorate degrees in history. Shortly after graduating with my Ph.D., I began a teaching career. My focus is on teaching the history of people of color in the United States through an interdisciplinary approach. I enjoy teaching and often look forward to finding new and creative methods to teach my classes and help students develop transferrable skills, such as critical thinking and writing. It is a career path that I came back to and one I genuinely appreciate.
When did you work at the CLE and how long did you work here?
I applied for a tutor position in the Mid-Valley Campus CLE in January 2014, and I began working by late February on this campus. I worked as a tutor in the CLE center for about five months. I left this position at the end of July and moved to El Paso to begin my Ph.D. degree that year.
What made you interested in applying to work at the CLE?
When I first saw the advertisement, I felt that I was qualified to fulfill the requirements for the position. Having a degree in history gave me the confidence to apply. In addition, I thought that I could help students. Moreover, the Mid-Valley Campus CLE was also a few blocks from my home and second job, which was another interest for applying.
Tell us a student success story that reaffirmed your love of tutoring. Did this impact your decision to pursue the career you did?
When I began my tutoring job, I was kind of scared! I felt I was not capable enough to assist others in their writing or history assignments! Despite this, I jumped right in. I recall conversing with another tutor about reading essays aloud to assist students in improving their writing and not simply correcting their papers. I put that advice into practice. When I assisted a student who requested help, I read her essay aloud with her. We discussed what sounded right and what did not—guiding the student to see what needed to be revised. The student was receptive to my comments and suggestions. At the end of the session, I was happy I had a productive session and could help. This experience and many others as a tutor reaffirmed my teaching philosophy. My goal as a professor is to help students learn about history and aid their writing skills. I do not assume that all students have the same writing skills and that I provide clear instructions and the tools to succeed.
What have you been doing since you left the CLE?
My time as a tutor in the Mid-Valley CLE was a great experience. I formed great friendships with my colleagues and enjoyed a collegial and friendly atmosphere. I left my job as an STC tutor in 2014 to pursue my Ph.D. in Borderlands History at the University of Texas at El Paso. That alone took me six years! In the fall of 2020, I began my teaching career as an Instructor for the American Ethnic Studies Department at Kansas State University. I was recently promoted to Teaching Assistant Professor and continue to teach here in Manhattan, Kansas.
How did working at the CLE prepare you for the career you have now?
Working as a CLE tutor prepared me for my career as a professor in a variety of ways. First, I created meaningful connections with my fellow tutors. I recall talking to them about my research and learning overall from their experiences as well. Teamwork and collaborative work are some of the skills that I continue to develop to this day. Second, I recognized that students come first. Many of the students I helped had the skills to complete their assignments, but many did not understand them. Because of this, I always make sure that I provide clear instructions. I also constantly ask my students to see if they know the material. Moreover, I make sure that I provide all the tools that they require for their assignments. For example, in the research paper that I assigned, I invited the librarian to speak about the resources available in the university library. I also provide guidelines on citing sources, primary and secondary sources, and offer examples of a proposal, bibliography, and outlines. My role as a professor is to make sure that I am available to students and show them the tools to succeed.
Do you consider yourself to be successful? Why or why not?
As I finished teaching my last class and walked back to my office a few days ago, I thought about this question! Was I successful? Could that be measured? For a time after I graduated, my doctorate did not feel real. It did not seem tangible, even though I was teaching and working as a professor. However, on that walk back to my office, I worked out one thing, I did it. I earned my Ph.D., a goal that I worked towards for a better part of a decade. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic erased some of the ceremonies and celebrations, I did it. I am teaching, working with colleagues, meeting with students, prepping for courses, and many other things that come with a professor's job. Success is such an individual answer. For me, my new office nameplate reaffirmed my perception of success. Not only did I accomplish my goal of getting a Ph.D., but I also get to teach a subject I am passionate about and have a comfortable life. That is all I need in life.
What advice would you give to new college students?
The primary advice I would give to incoming college students is not to be afraid. It is a big transition that sometimes can feel overwhelming. As a first-generation student, I did not know how to navigate college. Do not be afraid of asking questions. It might sound cliché but ask away. On the other side of the coin, I appreciate it when students ask questions or even correct a mistake I made. Those acts keep me accountable. Lastly, do not be afraid to make friends, take that class, try new things, and find what makes you happy.
What was your favorite thing about working at the CLE?
My life at the time was hectic. I was both a tutor and a bus aid for a local head start program. However, the Mid-Valley Campus CLE worked around my schedule, which I appreciated. My favorite thing about working at the CLE was getting to know the tutors. Not only were they welcoming and friendly, but I also got to learn from them. Many taught me not only about tutoring but also about science and other subjects.
What would you say was the biggest struggle to overcome in life thus far?
One of my most poignant struggles was dealing with failure. During my Ph.D., I failed to pass my exams to become a Ph.D. candidate. Ph.D. students earn this status when they complete courses and exams and only need to complete their dissertation. My failure to pass it the first time led me to believe that I could not complete this degree and did not have the knowledge I thought I had. Yet, I did not give up. With the encouragement of my professors, I studied hard and passed my exams. I learned some valuable lessons. Never give up and believe in yourself. I have to remind myself of this fact once in a while.