With over two decades of experience as a teacher, Professor Anne Marenco has most certainly developed her skills as an instructor -- that's a given. But after 21 years in the field, she's never once been able to choose just one favorite class to explore within the fascinating world of sociology.

At the start of her journey, Marenco attended CSUN and acquired her B.S. and M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, and eventually went on to pursue an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from USC. Her areas of specialty are aging and family, and needless to say, she’s got quite the educational resume to bolster her success as a professor here at COC. 

Marenco joined COC as a full-time faculty member back in 2007, and over the years, she's taught countless sociology courses during her tenure. When asked about a favorite, however, she was quick to respond that there is simply no way of choosing one particular course over all the others.

"Every class is just so different, and that's what I love about teaching," she shares. "It's impossible to choose my favorite -- every semester, whichever classes I'm teaching become my favorites."

Outside of the classroom, Marenco immerses herself in a vast array of hobbies -- camping, gardening, traveler, and playing with her grandkids are just a few of her favorite pastimes. Where her personal life is concerned, she’s a proud grandmother, and will soon be celebrating two decades of being happily married to her husband. 

Though Marenco is a self-proclaimed "musically-deficit" individual, she is nevertheless artistic in her ventures. As an avid painter, quilter, and reader, Marenco is a woman of culture, which ties in well to her love for sociology and her desire to understand the world around her. 

Marenco's passion for sociology and life, in general, translates well into her desire to uplift her students, both academically and personally.

"I want my students to leave my class as better critical thinkers, and I want them to think about the world in a way that they might not have before," she says. "I also teach them never to be afraid of speaking up and asking questions!"

At the moment, her number one bucket list goal is to travel to Australia and experience the landscape and excitement that await her there. 

Anne Marenco is far more than a professor -- she’s a grandmother, a wife, an artist, and a lover of all that the world has to offer.