Page 28 - Laker Connection Fall 2013

faculty profile
DR. XIMENA ZORNOSA
FULFILLS HER TEACHING DREAM
Dr. Ximena Zornosa, associate profes- sor of Dental Hygiene at Clayton State, was born in Bogota, Colom- bia. She moved to the United States at age eight and faced the daunting challenge of learning a new language. Excelling at all things academic, she grasped the English language quickly, going on to perform well enough to gain ac- ceptance into one of the world’s most highly regarded dental schools, the University Of Pennsylvania School Of Dental Medicine.
While serving in the U.S. Air Force as a dental officer, Zornosa managed and presented base-wide dental health education programs. It was during her service that she discovered that she was passionate about being educator. Zornosa’s passion continued to grow as she took on more teaching responsibilities. She began lecturing medical students and fellow res- idents while completing a three-year residency pro- gram at Emory University, culminating in board certification as an Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologist.
Dr. Zornosa’s first experience teaching at Clay- ton State University came in 1999 when she served as a part-time clinical instructor. The experience rekin- dled her dream to teach and after completing her res- idency she started at Clayton State as a full-time assistant professor of Dental Hygiene in August of 2005. Dream fulfilled! In 2010 she was promoted to associate professor.
Zornosa says her most rewarding experiences to date have been the gratitude received from every dental hygiene class.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is the personal satisfaction that comes from training young dental professionals,” Zornosa says. “Teaching has given me the opportunity to not only make use of my training and experience, but also to give back to the dental profession and the public which it serves.”
“Dr. Zornosa is an incredible instructor who
shares a great knowledge to all of her students,” Jes- sica McClendon, senior class president, says. “She is devoted to our dental hygiene program and to her stu- dents. I respect and rely on her opinion, because I know she cares about my education and future career.”
Zornosa’s most memorable experience at Clay- ton State has been the recognition by her peers by being presented with
the Alice Smith Fac-
ulty Award in 2012.
A dentist and oral pathologist, she volunteers in numer- ous oral health screen- ings and service events. Often, it is to accompany Clayton State dental hygiene students in their out-
reach activities. As a member of the Georgia Dental Association, she recently participated in the Georgia Mission of Mercy, which provided dental services at no cost to 1,700 underserved Georgia residents. She also volunteers with Adopt-a-Golden Atlanta.
Zornosa lives in Peachtree City with her hus- band and golden retriever “Cassie.” A former marathon runner, she still regularly enjoys walking, jogging, yoga, and pilates. An avid travel, sport, and nature photographer, she is finishing work toward a certificate in professional photography.
“If I had a single piece of advice to pass on to every student, it would be to keep an open mind by paying attention to even those subjects and topics that seem unimportant at the time,” she says. “Someday, what may not have seemed important may become so. When I was in college, I didn’t know that I would someday dream of being an educator and that Clayton State University would make that dream real. Now I know.” __ Ciji Fox
It’s gratifying when I can see the difference I have made in a student’s life. It is empowering and reaffirms my career path as a professor.
I also enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow workers and the interaction with the student body. Our campus is a beautiful place to work.
26
THE LAKER CONNECTION