Geri Sawicki
Geri Sawicki is a seasoned Professor of Sociology at Modesto Junior College, where she has been teaching for over two decades. Her courses focus on Culture, Race and Ethnicity, Discrimination, Social Problems, and Mexican History and Culture in the United States. Geri is committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment for both traditional and non-traditional students, including adult learners, and she holds a Master Teacher Online certification along with a TEFL-TESOL Master Certification from Teflon Training College in Switzerland.
A professional sociologist trained at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Graduate School of Arts and Science, Geri brings extensive research and practical experience to her teaching. Her career background includes high-level project management, public relations, political campaign management, speechwriting, consulting, and fundraising for governmental and non-profit organizations. She also has experience in career counseling, providing students with guidance for academic and professional growth.
In addition to her teaching and research, Geri actively integrates emerging technologies into her curriculum, including artificial intelligence. She is a certified GPTZero Ambassador and Certified Educator, applying AI tools to enhance student learning rather than limit it. Throughout her career, Geri has demonstrated a dedication to higher education, student success, and the practical application of sociology to real-world social issues.
• GPTZero Ambassador program
• GPTZero Certified Educator
• New York University - B.A.
What do you attribute your success to?
I didn’t set out to become an educator, but teaching found me—and never let go. For over 25 years, I’ve worked with community college students, first-generation learners, and incarcerated individuals, teaching sociology, psychology, and life skills that open doors many never thought possible.
In 2023, I joined the Rising Star Network program, becoming the first faculty member to teach in a California state prison through a Correspondence College program. Watching students gain confidence, learn critical thinking, and rebuild their lives reaffirmed why I teach.
My academic background spans political sociology, terrorism studies, medieval historical sociology, and the arts. Today, I split my time between Modesto Community College—supporting underprivileged students through the STAR Student Program—and prison education. Recently, I became an ambassador for ChatGBT Zero, teaching students to use AI responsibly, equipping them with skills essential for navigating today’s world.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It’s funny—back in 1993, I was deeply involved with AI and engineering logistics in college, working with a professor and a fellow student to explore how AI could think and interact—long before computers were commonplace in every household. Looking forward, I see today’s generation as the first that must be fluent in using AI in the workforce. My role is to help students navigate this responsibly, using AI to enhance learning and critical thinking rather than replace it.
For young women entering my field, I’d emphasize the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to both learn and mentor others. Technology and education are evolving rapidly, and staying adaptable while supporting those around you is key to making a meaningful impact.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in education today is the negative perception of AI and its role in learning. I’m proactive in helping educators see AI not as a threat, but as a powerful tool to enhance student learning. My passion lies in guiding education to evolve responsibly in the age of artificial intelligence. My interest in AI goes back to a college course in the 1990s, long before it was mainstream, and today I work with tools like ChatGPT while serving as an ambassador for ethical AI use in education. I don’t see AI as the enemy of learning—ignorance about it is.
I teach students to use AI ethically, creatively, and transparently. Rather than banning technology, I design assignments that require personal reflection, applied theory, and lived experience—work AI cannot replicate. My mission is to help both students and educators embrace AI as a tool for equity, empowerment, and deeper learning, not fear.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe education is one of the few forces powerful enough to change the trajectory of a life. My work is grounded in the conviction that access to learning should never be limited by income, background, or past mistakes. I value equity not as an abstract idea, but as a daily practice—meeting students where they are and helping them see what is possible.
I believe in second chances. Teaching in correctional settings has shown me that people are more than the worst moments of their lives, and that dignity, structure, and knowledge can open doors once thought permanently closed. I hold growth, accountability, and the courage to begin again as core values.
I also value curiosity and intellectual honesty. Learning should challenge us, stretch us, and evolve with the world around us. That is why I advocate for the ethical use of artificial intelligence in education—not to replace thinking, but to deepen it. Technology should serve human potential, not diminish it.