Faculty

Degrees earned:

B.A. in Spanish from Harding University, M.A. and Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Kansas. Thesis: "The Role of the L1 and Individual Differences in L2 Sensitivity to Morphosyntactic Features: An ERP Investigation".

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Intermediate Spanish (SPAN 2010/2020), Advanced Spanish Phonetics (SPAN 4330), and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages (FLAN 4100/4200).

Other specialties within the department:

Mentors senior capstone students and supervises student teachers in French and Spanish. Edits CrossTalk, the department newsletter.

Advising info:

Advises or will advise students in Spanish (SPAN), Applied Spanish (SPAS), and Spanish Licensure (SPAC) or minoring in Spanish.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association (AFLTA), and Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Research interests:

Second language acquisition of morphosyntax (and recently phonology), neurolinguistics, aptitude testing, and methods of foreign language teaching.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Has traveled with students to Mexico, Costa Rica, and Europe on several occasions. Has traveled for World Bible School to Peru, the Dominican Republic, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Ecuador. Has completed short-term missions in Peru, Venezuela, Uruguay, and Argentina. Has served as a long-term missionary with a team in Wisconsin.

Other language-related activities:

Established and now serves as a consultant for the Spanish Internet program of World Bible School. Coordinated the 2014 - 2017 state high school foreign language competition.

Church-related or civic activities:

Currently serves on a church missions committee and on the board of the Literacy Council of White County.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys outdoor activities with her family including birding, hiking, and camping.

Degrees earned:

B.A. in Spanish from Harding University, M.Ed. in Secondary Education and Spanish from Harding University.

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Intermediate Spanish (SPAN 2010/2020), Advanced Spanish Grammar (SPAN 3030), Latin American Civilization(SPAN 3150) and Spanish Literature of the 20th and 21st Century (SPAN 4350).

Other specialties within the department:

Mentors senior capstone students, directs the immersion dorm for Spanish students.

Advising info:

Advises or will advise students in Spanish (SPAN), Applied Spanish (SPAS), and minors in Spanish.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Has traveled on seven campaigns to Venezuela and lived there for two years. Has taught three semesters at HULA. Has completed immersion experiences in Spain.

Church-related or civic activities:

Volunteers at a grief camp for children. Teaches children's classes and participates in the Spanish congregation at Highway Church of Christ.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys travel, reading, and gardening.

Degrees earned:

Earned a B.A. in Research, Translation, and Teaching of Foreign Languages from Metropolitan University, Caracas, Venezuela, and the M.Ed. from Harding University. B.A. Thesis: "El mestizaje como elemento de definición e indefinición socio-cultural en El Mestizo José Vargas de Guillermo Meneses”.

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Intermediate Spanish (SPAN 2010/2020), Latin American Literature (SPAN 3110), Spanish Conversation (SPAN 3000), and Advanced Conversation (SPAN 3130).

Other specialties within the department:

Offers CLIP activities working toward oral proficiency. Provides weekly conversation practice for Spanish licensure students.

Advising info:

Advises or will advise students in Spanish (SPAN) or minoring in Spanish.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Research interests:

Is interested in second language acquisition.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Native of Venezuela, where she has experience as a teacher, coordinator, and academic supervisor as well as mission secretary and campaign administrator; presented TESOL workshops in Puerto Rico (1988/89) and in Venezuela (1988/89/90), lived in Italy for one year and visits family there, has also traveled to Canada and Aruba.

Church-related or civic activities:

Provides service to elderly and sick congregation members. Provides translation/interpretation as needed.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys jazz and classical music, along with classic movies and science fiction.

Degrees earned:

B.A. in Spanish and B.B.A. in International Business from Harding University, M.A. and Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from the University of Kentucky.

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Elementary Spanish (SPAN 1010/1020), Accelerated Elementary Spanish (SPAN 1030/1040) and upper-level literature classes in Spanish.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the Modern Language Association and the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi.

Research interests:

Is interested in Early Modern Peninsular literature, primarily theater.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Has participated in short-term campaigns to Honduras, Peru, and Chile; lived in Mexico for ten months teaching English; studied abroad and traveled in Europe.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and Ultimate Frisbee

Degrees earned:

Earned a B.A. in French and Music Education from Harding University, an M.A. in French Studies with a minor in Spanish from Auburn University, and her Ph.D. in French Literature from UCLA. Dissertation title: "The Sacrament of Confession in the Tales of Queen Marguerite of Navarre, Sister to the King of France".

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Elementary French (FREN 1010/1020), Elementary Italian (ITAL 1010/1020), Intermediate Italian (ITAL 2010/2020), French Conversation (FREN 3000), French Literature, and English as a Second Language (ESL).

Other specialties within the department:

Mentors senior capstone students in French, directs the Italian Club.

Advising info:

Advises or will advise students in French (FREN) or minors in French.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Professional interests:

Is working toward certification to rate ACTFL oral proficiency exams in Italian and English. Recently translated a biography of the Italian Jacuzzi family by Remo Jacuzzi, who now offers a scholarship for students of Italian at Harding.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Grew up as a missionary kid in Italy. Taught the Italian program for Pepperdine University in Florence, Italy, for 5 years. Spent 2 semesters in France with Pepperdine and another 2 semesters with Harding's international programs in Paris, France. Has completed short-term missions in Italy.

Other language-related activities:

Coordinates regular celebrations and activities for French and Italian students. Organizes field trips of Harding students and faculty to view opera, musicals, ballet and live theater productions that relate to her languages of expertise. Conducts children's summer camps in Italian (California).

Church-related or civic activities:

Member of the Iris Society. Participates in the Wednesday night Bible class at Harding Place. Member of the board of directors for Avanti Italia. Participates in Theater on the Square productions. Patron or sponsor of opera, theater, orchestra, choral and musical presentations. Regularly presents vocal recitals for soprano solos.

Degrees earned:

B.A. David Lipscomb College, Nashville, TN. French with Teacher Certification (Mathematics, secondary certification). "Certificat de Langues" (French Certificate) Université de Genève, Switzerland. M.A. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, French. Thesis: A Comparison of Saint-Exupéry's Terre des Hommes and the American Version, Wind, Sand, and Stars: Moralist vs Adventurer. D.E.A. Université de Toulouse, France, French. Thesis: Découverte de l'Homme à travers l''obstacle. "Doctorat" (Ph.D.) Université de Toulouse, France, French. Dissertation: L'Avion comme dispositif dans la littérature du 20ème siècle.

Most frequently taught classes:

Teaches Elementary French (FREN 1010/1020), Intermediate French and Intermediate French Honors (FREN 2010[H]/2020[H]), French Adv. Grammar and Composition (FREN 3030), French Culture (FREN 3050 & FREN 3250), Advanced French Phonetics (FREN 4330), French Selected Readings in Literature (FREN 3271), Professional French (FREN 4130), and Senior Seminar (FREN 4510). Also has taught Survey of French Literature (FREN 3010, 4010, 4020, 4320, 4350) and Advanced Conversation (FREN 3130).

Other specialties within the department:

Program administrator, director, and teacher of FACE (French Advanced Conversational Experience) summer program in Geneva, Switzerland. Also mentors French senior capstone students.

Advising info:

Advises or will advise students in French (FREN) and French Licensure (FREC) or minoring in French.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), the Arkansas Foreign Language Teachers Association (AFLTA), and Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Research interests:

Antoine de St Exupéry. Techniques for improvement of student oral proficiency and of future secondary French teachers.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Directs yearly campaigns to French-speaking Europe (France, Belgium, Switzerland) and bi-yearly leads the FACE program in Switzerland. Also has been involved with "Colonie Harmonie", youth camp in France.

Other language-related activities:

Leads weekly Wednesday night French devotional. Also has served as an interpreter and as a translator for various individuals and organizations.

Church-related or civic activities:

Currently serves as an elder at West Side Church of Christ. Coordinator and teacher of the college class at West Side. Also has served on the missions committee at West Side and College Church of Christ.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys basketball, chess, and youth activities.

Degrees earned:

B.A. in French from Harding University

M.A. in French from Sacramento State University.

Other specialties within the department:

French labs for FREN 2010/2020. Oversees the discussion tables (La Table Ronde and Papotez). Coordinates the CLIP (Culture and Languages in Practice) activities outside of the classroom.

Professional organizations:

Is a member of the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and the Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language Honor Society.

Overseas, travel or missions experience:

Grew up in a missionary family in Geneva, Switzerland. Has traveled on several campaigns to French speaking countries in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean’s. Has taught High School French in Brooksville, Florida.

Church-related or civic activities:

Member at the College Church of Christ. Participates in the Wednesday night French devotionals on campus.

Hobbies and interests:

Enjoys travel, art, and hiking.