Spanish Faculty

Pilar Alcalde

Dr. Pilar Alcalde serves as Associate Professor of Spanish and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Dr. Alcalde earned a B.A. from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1988, followed by both an M.A. (1994) and Ph.D. (1998) from the University of Southern California. Her scholarship spans a broad range of topics within Spanish literature, with particular emphasis on works from the early modern period through the twentieth century. Dr. Alcalde’s primary area of expertise centers on seventeenth-century women’s studies, with research interests including gender, nation and community building, material culture, and class identities. In addition to her research, she teaches undergraduate courses in Spanish language, literature, and culture, and has taught graduate seminars focused on topics such as representations of women in literature, nation and literature building in Spain, and literature of the Spanish Civil War.

Vania Barraza

Dr. Vania Barraza Toledo is Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Her research and scholarship focus on Latin American literature and culture, with particular emphasis on film, gender, and sexuality studies. Dr. Barraza’s work examines questions of representation, identity, and visual culture, and she is currently exploring the female gaze, aesthetic trends, and visual practices in films directed by Chilean women filmmakers. She also serves as organizer of the University of Memphis annual Hispanic Film Festival, contributing to cultural engagement within both the university and broader community. An active scholar and editor, Dr. Barraza is the author of several works, including El cine en Chile (2005–2015): Políticas y poéticas del nuevo siglo and (In)subordinadas: raza, clase y filiación en la narrativa de mujeres latinoamericanas. She has also co-edited multiple volumes on Latin American and Chilean cinema and has contributed as a guest editor for scholarly publications in gender and sexuality studies. In recognition of her work, El cine en Chile received the Harvey L. Johnson Publication Award from the Southwest Council of Latin American Studies, and she was awarded a fellowship through the Crosstown Arts Residency Program. Dr. Barraza additionally serves as Secretary of the Association of Gender and Sexuality Studies (AEGS).

Brianna Butera

Dr. Brianna Butera is Assistant Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Dr. Butera earned a B.A. in Spanish and French from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire in 2011, followed by an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics and Literatures in 2013 and a Ph.D. in Spanish Linguistics in 2018 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Dr. Butera’s research focuses on pronunciation variation across the Spanish-speaking world and uses acoustic analysis to examine language variability and language change over time. Her work also investigates acoustic variation in contact situations, including varieties such as Afro-Peruvian Spanish. Her broader research interests include Language Variation and Change, Phonetics and Phonology, Second Language Acquisition, Heritage Speaker Acquisition, Language Pedagogy, and Applied Linguistics. Dr. Butera integrates these areas of scholarship into her teaching by helping students develop an appreciation for linguistic diversity and language variation while strengthening pronunciation and communicative skills. She teaches undergraduate Spanish composition and conversation courses as well as graduate-level courses in areas including the Evolution of Spanish, Spanish in the United States, and Applied Linguistics.

Elena Caballero

Dr. Elena Caballero is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Dr. Caballero earned dual B.A. degrees in Hispanic Philology and English Studies from the Universidad de Cádiz in 2018, followed by an M.A. in Hispanic Studies in 2020 and a Ph.D. in Arts and Humanities with a specialization in Spanish Literature in 2024, also from the Universidad de Cádiz. Dr. Caballero specializes in contemporary Spanish literature, with particular emphasis on poetic and musical intertextuality within the Hispanic tradition. Her doctoral research explored the influence of Federico García Lorca on the works of Leonard Cohen and Enrique Morente, examining the transnational and interdisciplinary impact of Lorca’s literary legacy. More broadly, her scholarship investigates modern and contemporary Spanish literary production and its relationships with other artistic forms. She incorporates these interests into her teaching by encouraging students to analyze literature through broader cultural and artistic perspectives. Prior to joining the University of Memphis, Dr. Caballero served as a predoctoral teaching and research fellow at the Universidad de Cádiz and worked as technical staff at the Instituto de Investigación en Estudios del Mundo Hispánico (In-EMHis).

Regan Edwards

Prof. Regan Edwards is Associate Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Edwards earned a B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 2006 and an M.A. from the University of Georgia in 2013. Prof. Edwards teaches courses within the Spanish Basic Language Program and has played an active role in curriculum coordination and student engagement initiatives. Since Spring 2018, she has served as SPAN 1020 Team Leader, working with instructors to support consistency and standardization across course sections. In addition to her instructional leadership, she has contributed extensively to departmental outreach efforts, serving as University of Memphis Language Fair Director in 2018 and Co-Director in 2017 while continuing to remain active on the Language Fair Committee. Prof. Edwards has also supported experiential learning opportunities through study abroad, leading a group of University of Memphis students to San José, Costa Rica, and continuing to advise students interested in international experiences.

Christina Gómez

Prof. Christina Gómez is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Gómez earned both her B.A. (2012) and M.A. (2014) from the University of Memphis and teaches courses within the Spanish Basic Language Program, where she also serves as SPAN 2020 Team Leader. In this role, she has led efforts to support course standardization and curriculum development across sections. In Spring 2020, she redeveloped SPAN 2020 to place greater emphasis on conversation and writing at the Intermediate-High level, designing instructional materials intended to strengthen the transition between basic and advanced Spanish coursework. Prof. Gómez has contributed extensively to curriculum development, instructional innovation, faculty support, and student engagement initiatives, including organizing workshops, mentoring graduate students and teaching assistants, supporting technology integration and retention efforts, and serving on the department’s Student Engagement Committee. She also helped establish the Spanish Club as a student and later served as a mentor, has supported study abroad initiatives including leading a student trip to Spain, and remains actively involved in community engagement and animal rescue efforts. Her work reflects a strong commitment to Spanish language education, student success, and fostering meaningful connections between language and culture.

Patty Joyner

Prof. Patty Joyner is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Joyner earned a B.A. from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2015 and an M.A. from the University of Memphis in 2017. Since joining the University of Memphis in 2017, she has taught both online and face-to-face courses within the Spanish Basic Language Program. She has contributed to the department’s Spanish online development team and assisted in the redesign of SPAN 2020, supporting ongoing efforts in curriculum development and course enhancement. Prof. Joyner’s academic interests include Spanish syntax and grammar, and she also has an interest in language learning beyond Spanish, including the study of Japanese.

José Magaña

Prof. José Magaña is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Magaña earned both his B.A. (2013) and M.A. (2015) from the University of Memphis and has served as a faculty member since Fall 2015. He regularly teaches lower-division Spanish courses in both online and face-to-face formats and contributes to the department’s Spanish online development team. In addition to his work in the Basic Spanish Language Program, he has occasionally taught upper-division composition and conversation courses and has experience with English-to-Spanish translation. Prof. Magaña is passionate about teaching and language learning and enjoys traveling, reading, film, and maintaining strong connections with family and his hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico.

Iván Ortega-Santos

Dr. Iván Ortega-Santos is Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures and a Faculty Affiliate with the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Memphis. Dr. Ortega-Santos earned a B.A. from Universidad de Deusto in 1999, an M.A. in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Arizona in 2003, and a Ph.D. in Linguistics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2008. His teaching and scholarship span linguistics, translation and interpretation, legal interpreting, and Spanish language studies, with a strong emphasis on reducing language barriers and creating meaningful learning experiences connected to the Memphis community. His community-engaged initiative, Comunidad901, which supports local Hispanic-serving organizations, received a HARC Angel Award from the Highland Area Renewal Corporation. Dr. Ortega-Santos’ research interests include theoretical linguistics, psycholinguistics, dialectology, translation and interpretation, and the use of gamification for disseminating academic research. His work particularly examines data collection standards and citizen science in linguistic theory, dialectal variation in Spanish, educational interpreting, and U.S. Spanish, including issues of language rights, history, and prejudice. He is the author of Focus-related Operations at the Right Edge in Spanish: Subjects and Ellipsis and Data Representativity and Granularity in Spanish Syntax, serves as Associate Editor of Borealis, and has participated in numerous national and international research initiatives and grant-funded projects.

Robert Rash

Prof. Robin Rash is Associate Professor of Teaching of World Languages at the University of Memphis Lambuth and brings more than three decades of experience in world language instruction. Prof. Rash earned a B.A. from Northern Kentucky University and both an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati, in addition to completing further graduate study at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universität Regensburg, and the University of Cincinnati. Prior to joining the University of Memphis, he served as Chair of the Department of Foreign Languages and Director of International Programs at Lambuth University. From 1994 to 2011, he directed both the Lambuth Scholars Program in Oxford and the Regent’s College Program in London. Since joining the University of Memphis in 2011 as Senior Lecturer and later Associate Professor of Teaching, he has taught Spanish across classroom, online, and hybrid formats and has directed University of Memphis programs in Costa Rica, including an Honors course. Prof. Rash has extensive international experience through study, teaching, and professional work in countries including Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Italy, Great Britain, Thailand, Québec, and Costa Rica. His broad international background and long-standing commitment to language education continue to shape his teaching and engagement with students.

Romar Rodríguez-León

Prof. Romar Rodríguez-León is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Rodríguez-León earned a B.A. from Universidad Santa María in 1995 and completed two M.A. degrees at the University of Memphis in 2008 and 2012. She teaches a wide range of Spanish courses from the basic language sequence to advanced courses such as composition and conversation, in both online and face-to-face formats, and contributes to the department’s Spanish online development team. Beyond the classroom, Prof. Rodríguez-León is passionate about language learning and Hispanic cultures and is conversationally proficient in French and Portuguese in addition to Spanish and English. Her interests also extend into community service and animal advocacy; in 2016 she founded Fundación Sunti in Venezuela, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and rehoming stray dogs. She is also the author of the children’s story Una perrita caída del cielo. Her teaching and service reflect a commitment to cultural engagement, language education, and community impact.

Diana Ruggiero

Dr. Diana Ruggiero is Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Dr. Ruggiero earned her B.A. (2002), M.A. (2004), and Ph.D. (2010) from The Ohio State University. Her teaching and scholarship focus primarily on World Languages for Specific Purposes (WLSP), with a particular emphasis on Spanish for healthcare, community service learning, and engagement with the Latinx community in Memphis. She develops and teaches a range of Spanish for specific purposes courses, including Spanish for healthcare, commerce, and community engagement, as well as medical Spanish interpreting and translation courses that support preparation for national medical interpreting certification. Her broader research interests include WLSP pedagogy, linguistics in healthcare, heritage language learners, cultural competence, service-learning design and assessment, and medical interpreting. Dr. Ruggiero maintains a strong commitment to community-engaged scholarship and collaborates extensively with local organizations, including Latino Memphis, through initiatives involving translation, interpreting, educational outreach, and community support. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she helped develop Bienestar901, a health and wellness initiative and podcast series designed to support local Latinx and underserved communities. Her scholarship has appeared in numerous peer-reviewed journals and edited volumes, and her work has been recognized through awards including the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese Teacher of the Year Award (College Level), the ACTFL Nelson Brooks Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Culture, the University of Memphis Early Career Award, and a Strengthening Communities Capacity Building Grant.

Lindsey Shelton

Prof. Lindsey Shelton is Associate Professor of Teaching in Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Shelton earned a B.A. (2008) and M.A. (2010) from the University of Memphis and teaches courses within the Spanish Basic Language Program. She serves as both SPAN 1010 and SPAN 2010 Team Leader, guiding instructional teams and supporting the standardization and consistency of these courses across sections. In addition to her teaching and curricular leadership, Prof. Shelton has contributed to departmental outreach and student engagement initiatives, serving as University of Memphis Language Fair Director in 2017 and Co-Director in 2016 while continuing to remain active on the Language Fair Committee. She has also supported international education opportunities by leading student study abroad programs in San José, Costa Rica, and continues to advise students interested in study abroad experiences.

Francisco Vivar

Dr. Francisco Vivar is Professor of Spanish in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Dr. Vivar earned a B.A. from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 1979, an M.A. from California State University, Los Angeles in 1990, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1993. His scholarship focuses on Spanish literature and culture, with particular interests in the Spanish Golden Age, Cervantes, Quevedo, and Spanish cinema. Dr. Vivar has authored numerous scholarly publications, including several books such as Don Quijote frente a los caballeros de los tiempos modernos, Cervantes y los límites del ser, and Elías Canetti y España, in addition to numerous articles on Spanish Golden Age authors and literary topics. He teaches a range of undergraduate and advanced courses, including Advanced Conversation, Middle Ages, Golden Age literature, and Spanish for Commerce. His current scholarly work includes a project focused on comparative literature.

Allen R. Woodall III

Prof. Allen R. Woodall III is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish and Media & Communications Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Woodall earned a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature from the University of Georgia and an M.A. in Applied Hispanic Linguistics from New York University, and he is currently a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in Applied Linguistics at the University of Memphis. His teaching and scholarship focus on Spanish Second Language Acquisition (SLA), instructional and curricular design, and the integration of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, into language education. In addition to teaching across the Spanish Basic Language Program, he designs and teaches upper-division courses in conversation, composition, and applied linguistics that connect language study with broader areas such as sociolinguistics, language teaching, and culture. His research interests include AI literacy, computational approaches to SLA, task-based learning, and language pedagogy, with current work examining how research engagement among teaching-track faculty can support professional identity development and contribute to language program growth and revitalization.

Halle Wright

Prof. Halle Wright is Assistant Professor of Teaching in Spanish and Undergraduate Coordinator in the Department of World Languages and Literatures at the University of Memphis. Prof. Wright earned a B.A. in Foreign Languages (Spanish) with a minor in International Studies in 2017 and an M.A. in Romance Languages (Spanish) from the University of Memphis in 2019. She teaches both face-to-face and online courses within the Spanish Basic Language Program (SPAN 1010–2020) and contributes to curriculum and instructional development through her work as a member of the Spanish Online Development Team. Her work supports student learning and engagement across multiple levels of the Spanish curriculum.