Global Languages & Cross-Cultural Studies Faculty

Areas of Expertise

Colonial Latin America, indigenous studies, gender studies

Background

Born in Bogotá, Colombia. Completed her undergraduate and first master's degree in Colombia. Finished a second master's degree and PhD at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Has been teaching Spanish and Literature for more than 10 years and has been taking students to study abroad for more than eight years.

Research Interests

the relationship between literature and power from a Colonial and Postcolonial perspective; the indigenous perspective of the Colony

Education

• PhD, Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies, Georgetown University
• MS, Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies, Georgetown University
• MA, Latin-American Literature, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
• BA, Literature, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia 

Fun fact

I love to take pictures and travel. I have also swam with sharks in the ocean a few times!

Areas of Expertise

Medieval Spanish literature, Spanish theatre, service learning, Indianapolis Latino community

Background

Former dean of the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Indianapolis. Has also been chair of the Department of Modern Languages for many years but now devotes his time exclusively to teaching and research interests.

Research Interests

university service-learning, Latino community of Indianapolis, Spanish teaching, medieval pseudosciences

Education

• PhD, Spanish Literature, Indiana University
• MA, Spanish Literature, Indiana University
• AB, Spanish, College of the Holy Cross 

Fun fact

My family is of French Canadian ancestry, but I decided to study Spanish in high school. I have spent more than 30 years as a university Spanish instructor.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The University has a caring, hospitable and friendly environment.

Areas of Expertise

Translation

Background

A native from Spain, Campoy completed a bachelor's degree, master's degree and some doctoral courses from University of Cadiz. Taught English in Spain before moving to the United States. Recently finished a certification in translation studies from the University of Denver.

Education

• Certification, Translation Studies, University of Denver
• MA, English, University of Cadiz (Spain) BA, English, University of Cadiz (Spain)

Fun fact

I love to travel. I have led travel courses to Spain and Peru.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The work environment is great and I love the students at UIndy!

Areas of expertise

Comparative Literature, Complexity Theory, English/German translation, German for the Professions 

Background

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and Germany and earned a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in Comparative Literature and German Studies. Since then, I have been teaching a wide range of courses in German language and literature, Comparative Literature, Translation and Business German for over a decade, both in the United States and Germany.

Most recently, I also served as Resident Director for U.S. exchange programs at the University of Regensburg, Germany, and worked at IUPUI’s Office of International Affairs as Program Associate for Global Learning and International Partnerships.

Research Interests

As a comparatist, I am particularly interested in the “inter spaces” between the different disciplines, especially the sciences and the humanities, as I believe it is through communication between individuals from different fields that we can create new forms, are the most productive and inspired, and create meaning for our lives and those of others. My main area of research is the history and nature of the creative impulse.

Education

• PhD, Comparative Literature/German, Vanderbilt University
• MA, Comparative Literature/German, Arizona State University
• BA (equivalent), English/German, University of Regensburg, Germany

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Linguistics (Applied, Educational & General); World Language Pedagogy; TESOL; African Language and Cultural Studies; Global Cinemas; Heritage Language Communities

BACKGROUND

Devin has a BA. in Modern Language: French (Truman State University, 2022) and is pursuing a second MA in African Studies; learning the languages of Akan-Twi (Ghana) and Wolof (Senegal) with the intended acquisition of Yoruba (Nigeria and Benin) and Fon (Benin). Having worked heavily with Congolese populations of rural Northeast Missouri, Devin has obtained a particular interest in African francophone Heritage Language Learning communities and intends to study further applied linguistics and pedagogical strategies for more inclusive approaches to language teaching to support the development of linguistic identity within student populations of these Heritage Language Communities. Furthermore, an interest in Second Language Acquisition and Pedagogy serves to drive Devin’s research interests such as the use and development of authentic materials and pedagogical materials for the teaching of less commonly taught languages, teaching methodologies for the effective acquisition of West African languages, African language use in academic contexts of multilingual West African societies, and more. Furthermore, Devin has an interest in researching films in French/Wolof by famed Senegalese director, Ousmane Sembène to better understand sociolinguistic phenomena in language use in past and present Senegal.

EDUCATION

• MA, French Instruction, Indiana University-Bloomington (In-Progress)
• MA, African Studies, Indiana University-Bloomington (In-Progress)
• BA, Modern Languages (French) and Linguistics, Truman State University
• TESOL, ITT International

FUN FACT

I have been a certified Weather Spotter with the National Weather Service (NWS) since 2011. I was a tour guide who led whale-watching tours in Alaska. I am trained in singing and dancing.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Latin American cultural and literary studies, audiovisual and digital cultures, and critical theories.

BACKGROUND

Dr. Rangel Manrique completed her undergraduate degree in Letters Art History in Venezuela and her master's and Ph.D. degrees at the Ohio State University. She has over seven years of experience teaching Spanish, Latin American literature, and cultural studies.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Latin American cultures from a socio-historical, economic, and political perspective, gender studies, Spanish and culture teaching.

EDUCATION

• Ph.D, Spanish and Latin American Cultural & Literary Studies, The Ohio State University

• MA, Spanish and Latin American Cultural & Literary Studies, The Ohio State University
• BA, Art History, Universidad de Los Andes (Mérida,Venezuela)

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Theology, Immigration and Religion, Hispanic Ministry

BACKGROUND

Aziel Nunez serves as the Assistant Director of the Lantz Center at the University of Indianapolis where he coordinates two grant-projects, the Compelling Preaching Initiative and Student Leadership Academy. Born to evangelical missionaries, he grew up in Mexico City, San Diego, and Madrid. He served the hispanic church for eleven years prior to joining UIndy and has taught Spanish for three years.

EDUCATION

• D. Min. in Transformational Leadership Boston University

• M. Div. Yale University

• B.A., Religion and Political Science, Colgate University

FUN FACT

I prefer cold over hot weather, and I love to ski.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Latin American literary and cultural studies, violence and the Colombian armed conflict, testimonial writings and peripheral literature

BACKGROUND

Dr. Úsuga Giraldo completed her PhD in Spanish and Cultural Studies at Purdue University and her undergraduate studies in teaching languages, English, and Spanish at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín, Colombia. Before her graduate studies, she gained experience advising for studies abroad and participated in several teaching exchange programs. She has more than fifteen years of teaching experience at different institutions in Colombia and the United States. 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Testimonial writings and peripheral literature, violence and the Colombian armed conflict, popular culture, music in literature, gender studies

EDUCATION

• PhD, Spanish and Cultural Studies, Purdue University 

• MA, Spanish and Cultural Studies, Purdue University 

• Specialization, University Teaching and Research, Universidad Católica Luis Amigó

• BA, Teaching Spanish and English, Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana

FUN FACT

Music is a fundamental part of my life. I perform in a Latin music group and enjoy the fact that with our music we not only bring fun to our audience but we also educate them about the different types of Latin American music we play.