Breadcrumb
Sociology, B.A. | Class of
Torisha Khonach
Assistant Professor
Employer: Los Angeles-Trade Technical College
Job description: Congrats to Torisha Khonach on graduating with a Ph.D. in Sociology! Torisha has served the department and UNLV as a grad representative, student ambassador, GPSA committee member, and mentor. She served as graduate rep, panel organizer, and newsletter editor for the American Sociological Association. Proudest moments at UNLV include winning the 2022 UNLV Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award, the UNLV President’s Finishing Fellowship, and the Beth Hess Memorial Scholarship from the Sociologists for Women in Society.
After graduation, Torisha will begin a full-time, tenure-track, position at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College. Because she began her academic career at a community college, she’s excited to support other low-income and first-generation students and help them know they deserve to be in academic spaces.
About Torisha
Why did you choose this program?
I chose the Sociology MA program because I also attended College of the Redwoods for my AA and HSU for my BA. I adore the area and felt immensely supported by my sociology faculty throughout my BA program and felt confident that they would help me in the transition from undergrad to graduate student. I found it important that the program emphasized public sociology, meaning that they want their students to also be involved in the community rather than staying within academia. I also knew that there were some teaching assistant opportunities for graduate students and faculty regularly take on graduate students for research work, giving additional experience to prepare students for life after graduation.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
This program adequately prepared me for furthering both my research and teaching jobs. It is rare for a graduate program to have a class on pedagogy, but the sociology MA program offered a class that prepared graduates to teach at community colleges. With this class, I was actually able to start teaching at College of the Redwoods while simultaneously finishing my MA degree. These skills translated easily into my Ph.D. program, where I was able to begin teaching independently rather quickly which also affords me funding opportunities in my current program. My research from my MA program is also in the process of becoming a published article and has helped me develop the methodologies for my Ph.D. dissertation.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
I truly did enjoy my faculty. Every faculty member in the department was incredibly supportive and was always willing to help and support me throughout both my BA and MA program. I was supported not only in the type of research I wanted to do but also supported in being pushed to my fullest potential as a student and eventual colleague.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
For the MA program, my main advice for graduate students is to always try and build communities with others in your department. Graduate school can be incredibly isolating and it is so important to find your people! Also, talk to your faculty! They are there to help you and are more than happy to do so. You can work with them through various issues, such as classwork, research, internships, and general support.