My name is Jacob Torres, and I am excited to be enrolled in the TOPS course. I currently serve as the Senior Director of Student Advising at The Chicago School, where I work with students in their educational journey. I bring over a decade of experience in higher education.

Professionally, my background includes roles in academic advising, student retention, diversity and inclusion, and teaching. I’ve taught college success, study skills, and career planning courses at multiple institutions, including Mississippi State University and Midwestern State University. I've also taught Introduction of Sociology as an adjunct various community colleges. My teaching style is student-centered, collaborative, and rooted in real-world application.

Academically, I’m completing my Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Mississippi State University, where my research focuses on Latinx access to higher education. I also hold a Master’s in Sociology and a Bachelor's in Communications, both from the University of Toledo.

I’m passionate about creating inclusive learning environments and equipping students with the tools they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. I look forward to getting back in the teaching world this Fall.

One of my favorite and free assessments that I like to use as a base guide is linked below. I often like to pair this with assessments such as STRONG Interest Inventory or O*Net Interest Profiler...

https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test