Sonia Isabel López López, PhD

Office for Access & Opportunity

Sonia earned her Ph.D in Education in Language, Literacy, and Technology (LLT) from Washington State University. She has a Master’s in teaching for Heritage University, a Masters in Foreign Languages, Spanish, from Washington State University, and a BA in Rural Education from UNISANGIL, Colombia. Her professional experience includes teaching at the college and high school level, working with first generation students, and with heritage Speakers. Dr. Lopez-Lopez has presented at different national and international conferences and has collaborated on and coauthored several published articles.

Dr. Lopez-Lopez joined HEP after being a faculty at WSU for over 13 years where she was teaching, advising, and coordinating grad students, the STAMP test, and the Spanish section. Born and raised in Colombia, South America, Sonia came to the United States with no English and no family. As a first-generation Latina immigrant, and student, Sonia has experienced and understands the needs and struggles of first-generation students and their families. She is grateful and excited to be the HEP Coordinator and to be able to help students reach their life and academic goals.

Sonia collaborates with the School of Languages Cultures and Race teaching one class and codirects the WSU Hearts In Motion program to Guatemala.

Dr. Lopez-Lopez has been the recipient of several honors and awards: WSU President’s Awards for Leadership, April 2023. Nominated to the WSU CAS Excellence in Teaching by an Instructor Award, 2020. Heritage Adjunct Recognition and Appreciation Teaching Award (HARATA). In recognition of excellence in innovative teaching practice that enhances the quality of student learning outcomes. 2010. IALC Academic English Scholarship, from the Intensive American Language Center at Washington State University designed to prepare students whose English is a second language, for academic work in higher education, Spring 2004. CUM LAUDE (BA) for high academic standing, University Foundation of San Gil, UNISANGIL, Santander, Colombia, 2002. She also received the Samuel H. and Patricia W. Smith Teaching Learning Fund Grant in April 2022.