Community Engagement Specialist Helps Students Find Their “Pueblo” at MC

For many first-generation and immigrant students navigating higher education, finding a sense of belonging can make all the difference. As a community engagement specialist at Montgomery College, Carolina Turcios-Sorto is dedicated to ensuring every student and family finds their support system—what she describes in Spanish as their “pueblo” (village).

“When you speak Spanish and share that background, you see the weight just drop off a parent or student’s shoulders,” she said. “I'm a firm believer that my education made the difference for my family, and that made the difference for my community. If we can support students in getting access to higher education and completing it, then they would change their family and thus change the community.” 

Her deep connection to this work stems from her own family’s immigrant journey. Her father arrived in the U.S. from El Salvador’s capital city, San Salvador, over 50 years ago at age 20. Through hard work and learning English, he spent 30 years as a Metro bus driver and operated a landscaping business before eventually fulfilling his dream of owning a farm on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Her mother came from Santa Rosa de Lima in El Salvador at age 18, managing households while navigating language barriers, technology and raising a blended family.

While Turcios-Sorto did not attend Montgomery College herself—she graduated from Trinity Washington University with a criminal justice degree—MC was deeply woven into her family’s life. Two of her brothers attended the College—Francisco earned his associate’s degree before transferring to the University of Maryland, while Marvin, who arrived from El Salvador at age 13, studied in MC’s automotive technology program and became a mechanic.

Her perspective on community work and higher education truly took shape during her undergraduate studies. Sitting in classrooms alongside Dreamer students, she witnessed distinct policy barriers and challenges faced by undocumented peers. A course in juvenile justice sealed her career direction. 

“Going to Trinity was the first time I realized how privileged and blessed I was to be able to travel back and forth to El Salvador,” she recalled. “For me, community engagement and working with the community is juvenile justice. It’s community justice.”

After earning a master’s degree in legal studies from American University’s Washington College of Law, she spent five years leading gang prevention, youth empowerment and family strengthening programs in Montgomery County. While fulfilling, the short-term nature of community interventions left her looking for a role that would allow her to create long-term and generational change.

“I was getting frustrated with short-term metrics,” Turcios-Sorto said. “A relationship needs to be long term. Coming to Montgomery College was about asking, ‘how do I support long-term goals?’”

In her community engagement role at MC, she draws on her Salvadoran roots daily to connect with families across Montgomery County, where about one-third of the Hispanic population is of Salvadoran background.

“Growing up, I struggled with ni de aquí, ni de allá—feeling like you’re not from here and not from there,” she said. “Now, I embrace being de aquí y de allá, from here and from there.”

In her role, she guides families through everything from ESOL courses to IgnITe Hub new window resources and College academic programs. She is also furthering her own education this fall by starting a public administration doctoral program, focusing on higher education leadership and removing systemic barriers for underrepresented youth.

Former mentors note that her passion for community advocacy was evident long before her professional career began. 

“My high school Spanish teacher told me she saw community work in my future when I was a junior,” Turcios-Sorto recalled. “Now, we actually work together in my role at Montgomery College when I go speak to families at her school.”

For students who are hesitant about taking the first step or feeling overwhelmed by the road ahead, her message is rooted in courage, curiosity and community.

“In El Salvador, I could walk down the street and everyone knew me—that was my pueblo,” she said. “If students can find their pueblo within Montgomery College, that makes all the difference. Give yourself the chance to explore what could be. The worst thing someone can say is ‘no,’ and that’s okay. Be curious, ask for support and find your pueblo here at Montgomery College.”