Spanish in the Community: Voices Unbound: Women Without Borders

This semester, students of the Spanish in the Community course, led by Antonio Sajid Lopez, engaged in a profound oral history project to bring to light the stories of Hispanic American women who migrated to the United States from countries including Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Bolivia. This endeavor probes into the depths of motherhood, employment, health, ambitions, and the pursuit of goals amidst adversity, aiming to capture and share the resilience and determination of these women as they navigate their new lives in the U.S.

World of Words (Mundo de palabras)

In the Spring of 2024, Dr. Victor Jordan’s SPN3435 course offered students an extraordinary opportunity to delve into the realm of Spanish language through a creative lens. The course, designed to nurture the art of fiction and poetry writing, encourages students to experiment with Spanish in innovative and expressive ways. We are excited to present to our community a selection of four poems crafted by the talented students of this course, showcasing their exploration of linguistic creativity and personal expression.

Introducing Alberto Lopez Torres: A Key Collaborator in Outreach and Education

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies is delighted to spotlight Alberto Lopez Torres, a cherished collaborator whose dedication to outreach and education has significantly enriched our community.

Alumni Spotlight: Ifeanyi K. Uwadia’s Journey with the Peace Corps

We are proud to feature the remarkable journey of Ifeanyi K. Uwadia, an esteemed alumna making significant strides in the education sector with the Peace Corps. Ifeanyi embarked on this life-changing path in August, undergoing intensive training before her assignment in Samaná in October. Committed to a minimum of two years, she anticipates completing her service in October 2025.

Sonia San Juan in Tampa

On the evening of April 5th, the Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, represented by Sonia San Juan, Antonio Sajid Lopez, and Deborah Hendrix, proudly presented “From Service to Story: Chronicles of Hispanic Veterans” at the Centro Asturiano in Tampa. This significant event, supported by the Honorary Consulate of Spain, marked the unveiling of a documentary that encapsulates the profound research conducted by Sonia under Antonio Sajid Lopez’s guidance. The film, now a part of The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, features six compelling interviews with Hispanic veterans, preserving their invaluable narratives for posterity.

Job Market Workshop

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies proudly hosted the second edition of the Job Market Preparedness workshop series. Over the course of March and April 2024, MA and PhD students in Linguistics and Literature had the opportunity to engage in a comprehensive series of four workshops designed to fine-tune their skills and strategies for navigating the academic job market.

Spotlight on Excellence: Patrick Grey’s Scholarly Journey and Achievements

In the vibrant academic community of the University of Florida, few students embody the spirit of scholarly pursuit as wholly as Patrick Grey. Triple majoring in History, Spanish, and Latin American Studies, Grey has carved a unique path through his rigorous examination of resistance to slavery, social death, and the nuanced historical subjectivity of Florida within the Black Atlantic during the nineteenth century. His thesis, a culmination of extensive coursework, seminars, and readings across the Departments of History and Spanish, alongside the Center for Latin American Studies, showcases an academic fervor led by curiosity and the desire to uncover deep historical truths.

SPS News

We are delighted to present a series of outstanding achievements from within the University of Florida’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies. These accomplishments, spanning various academic fields and areas of expertise, underscore the department’s commitment to excellence and its valuable contributions to our academic community.

Message from the Chair

A message from Chair and Professor of Spanish Luis Álvarez-Castro.

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