Maria is extremely passionate about meeting the learning needs of her students.  This is demonstrated by her ongoing willingness to cover both classroom AND clinical teaching on a regular basis.  She carries this extra workload in addition attending graduate school and maintaining a family.  Additionally, Maria can often be found supporting students outside of class and clinical time and provides this support for each of the courses that she teaches.  She provides clarity, guidance, study strategies, and encouragement in these interactions and students leave feeling focused, determined, and calm. 
Maria has been involved in professional development of self and colleagues in a number of ways, including working per diem as a mother-baby nurse, supporting Sigma Theta Tau activities and recruitment, helping with onboarding new faculty, and supporting faculty and staff around her informally on a regular basis. 
Maria nurtures students ' interest, instills confidence, and simultaneously maintains a high standard for students in her teaching. 
Maria is an absolute pleasure to work with at the SFPC.  She is engaged with this work both personally and professionally, is always respectful, and boosts morale with her sense of humor, conversation, and insights.  We appreciate all her contributions to the campus, university, and profession!