picture of Romana PiresRomana Pires is inspired by her students’ dedication and perseverance. She was hired as a professor at SBVC in January 2007 and attributes her passion for teaching to her academic endeavors and life experiences.

“The best part of my job as a faculty member at SBVC is being fortunate to be part of the educational journey that transforms the lives of countless numbers of students who attend the college from diverse backgrounds,” said Romana, a sociology professor.

Romana was born and raised in Prague, Czech Republic. When she was nine, Romana emigrated with her parents to the United States. As a generation-and-a-half immigrant, adopting the beliefs and behaviors of her new country and culture was challenging at times.

Romana attended school in the Norwalk and Whittier area. She is a product of the California Community Colleges and the California State University systems.

Romana understands how difficult it is to attain a higher education. In this economy, she acknowledges that higher education is a privilege and is empathetic to the hurdles that students eager to learn must overcome. She makes it a goal for her students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves in society and to become empowered to make changes in their local communities.

In her free time, when she is not watching reality TV, she enjoys traveling with her husband and cooking in her kitchen. The couple lives in Anaheim with their three dogs.