Alan Llavore | Office of Marketing and Communications | (909) 537-5007 | allavore@csusb.edu
In a world that values cultural understanding, Debora Perez Torres, academic researcher and CSUSB professor, continues her dedication to equipping students with life and career skills. Beyond completing a college degree, she prepares her students to be life and career-ready in a diverse and interconnected society.
Known for her ability to nurture potential, create safe spaces for growth, and ignite passions, Perez Torres fosters an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. She is not just an educator; but a mentor and champion for her students, inspiring them to accomplish their dreams with confidence.
Perez Torres’ dedication and impact will extend far beyond the students. Her commitment to fostering growth and uplifting student identities will leave a lasting impression on the Coyotes of California State University, San Bernardino.
"I decided to go into teaching..."
“Everyone benefits from knowing more rather than knowing less,” says Perez Torres. As an instructor in various communication courses, she teaches her students the importance of strategy and communication in achieving personal and professional goals. However, for Perez Torres, the college learning experience is deeper than the material taught in the classroom; it’s also about learning who you are as a person.
“I think diversity expands student education,” says Perez Torres. “I think diversity doesn’t just mean the culture that you come from, but also what you’ve lived through, what you pay attention to, what you value.”
After completing her undergraduate degree in journalism in Monterrey, Mexico, Perez Torres quickly realized that her life was calling her to do more. She explains what prompted her next move for change; “if you know anything about journalism in Mexico, it’s not the safest thing.” Desiring to broaden her expertise, she courageously and boldly moved to the United States in pursuit of graduate degrees. She amazingly completed a master’s program at the University of Utah, focusing on strategic communication and persuasion. Her journey didn’t end there; she also completed a Ph.D, program at the University of California, Santa Barbara in media effects, emotion, and persuasion.
Perez Torres now had to make a decision: stay in academia or go the professional route. Ultimately, she found her way to a home away from home at CSUSB. As a first-generation and immigrant student when she attended college, Torres embodies the passion and perseverance needed to make an impact. She continues to inspire and empower the Coyotes on campus through her happy spirit and vibrant personality.
“I don’t know that my style of teaching or style of communicating would be perfect anywhere. But I do think that the way I approach these classes is encouraged here (at CSUSB),” says Perez Torres.
In her classes, Perez Torres actively shares her experiences. This openness fosters a supportive and welcoming environment where students can see themselves reflected in her story. By bridging the gap between personal narrative and their experiences, she cultivates a space where they feel understood and encouraged to thrive.
Sharing her experience moving to a new country as an immigrant, Perez Torres exhibits an openness to vulnerability, “I realized that I was Latina,” she expresses. “I know it sounds weird, but in Mexico, I’m just a person.” Her openness and expression have made it possible for young girls of color, especially those pursuing education in a foreign country, to believe they could achieve their own academic goals and dreams.
Perez Torres embodies diversity in every aspect of her teaching. Her tailored approach prompts inclusive discussions, inviting students to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives as an asset to the learning environment, not a setback. Dedicated to broadening their education, she guides students to explore new viewpoints and expand their knowledge and understanding of the world around them. Students are encouraged to respectfully challenge viewpoints, use critical thinking, and adapt a willingness to new ideologies.
As of fall 2023, Hispanic students comprise 69% of the student population at CSUSB. The university’s commitment to serving Hispanic students is something that Perez Torres intentionally models in the classroom, so that students clearly see that “it’s more than just a label.” She is committed to creating a space where they feel comfortable bringing their identities inside the classroom. “I really like teaching students who, for example, speak both English and Spanish,” Perez Torres says. “Because then I could code-switch in class and they understand what I’m saying.”
Perez Torres’ mentorship extends beyond the status quo for graduation. For students interested in academia and research, she inspires their passions by sharing her own. As she puts it, “I like to work with people who are willing to learn and want to get into research.” As a graduate student, Perez Torres’ research primarily focused on Latino populations, health disparities, stress, and coping. As a professor, she brings her unwavering research passions to life by actively collaborating and involving her students in her research projects.
By connecting students to research opportunities, Perez Torres cultivates a space outside the classroom where students can explore and expand their knowledge through the world around them.
Professor Perez Torres highlights working with a previous student
Her guiding principles are centered around student success, shaping her approach to her work at CSUSB. This commitment reflects her dedication to fostering an environment where students can reach their full potential. By prioritizing their needs and aspirations, Debora Perez Torres aims to create spaces and opportunities that empower students academically and personally. This focus not only influences her professional actions but also inspires those around her to support and uplift the student community