My pedagogical approach is influenced my multifaceted personal, academic, and professional experiences, all of which motivated my decision to pursue an academic career in social work. I commenced my academic career a first-generation student who aged out of California’s foster care system. I was poorly prepared for an undergraduate education and had to complete remedial courses, which provides first-hand knowledge of some of the challenges many of our CSU Stanislaus student face pursuing their education. I had the fortune of being mentored by one of my undergraduate social work professors who influenced me to pursue an academic career. As such, my undergraduate academic training and mentoring at San José State University prepared me for
