Sonoma State University

Nominations Now Open:  2026 Faces of SSU

Do you know an SSU student, faculty member, staff member, or alum who embodies the spirit of Sonoma State? Now’s your chance to nominate them for the 2026 Faces of SSU!

Submit your nomination by October 19, 2025: 

Faces of SSU Nomination Form

Jess Torres

Jess Torres

I became the first Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) Mentor Program Coordinator for our campus. 

My name is Jess Torres and I am a graduate student studying the environmental DNA detection of California Tiger Salamanders in Dr. Derek Girman’s lab. I am a first-generation college student from Sonoma County and a tribal member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo in New Mexico. I transferred to Sonoma State from the Santa Rosa Junior College and finished my undergraduate degree in Biology. I have been a Registered Veterinary Technician for three years. I love helping critically ill patients and the adrenaline that comes with working in a fast-paced emergency hospital. Working in the veterinary field is rewarding, however the opportunities I received at Sonoma State have helped me discover my passion for research and teaching.

As an undergraduate, I was a member of the Louis Stoke’s Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP). LSAMP helped me participate in research as a paid assistant and through this program I was able to attend five-week field research course in Costa Rica. Without the opportunities from LSAMP, I would not have considered pursuing a graduate degree. As a graduate student, I became the first Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Achievement (MESA) Mentor Program Coordinator for our campus. In an effort to help new students navigate campus resources and their major, I connect experienced students with freshmen, sophomore or transfer students. I am so thankful for this opportunity because I am dedicated to encouraging the persistence of first generation and minority college students majoring in STEM.

Like many in STEM, I sometimes fall victim to imposter syndrome, and I am forced to remind myself of the obstacles I have overcame and the achievements I have accomplished. Insecure mind games aside, logistical challenges include securing funding for research and competing for tuition waivers. Earning any kind of degree in STEM is exceptionally difficult and requires a lot of self-assurance and self- discipline. Despite the hardships, Sonoma State has provided so many rewarding experiences. I have assisted in research projects that ignited an appreciation and love for herpetofauna. I am constantly impressed and inspired by the hardworking students in our MESA community. From learning how to be a good scientist from mentors and peers to teaching non-majors the captivating diversity and wonders of biology, I know I will always think fondly of the time I spent here.

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