Dr. Kathryn Fredericks

Name of student: Ryan Bulach

Hometown: Kelowna, BC

High school: Rutland Senior Secondary

Major: Biology

Most influential Professor: Dr Kate Fredericks

Student words: Dr Fredericks has been my most influential professor because she created a fun learning environment. She was able to effectively teach her subject (French), while maintaining a positive learning atmosphere. Dr Fredericks has opened my mind to new areas of study that I may not have been aware of before being a student in her class. I have the utmost respect for her as a professor at Geneseo.

Dr Lori Bernard

Following the announcement in fall 2012 by Dr Rose McEwen to step down as Department Chair, Dr Lori Bernard, who had most efficiently served as interim chair in fall 2010, with the recommendation of Dr McEwen and the endorsement of our department’s Personnel Committee as well as that of Provost Carol Long, has officially been appointed by President Dahl to the position of Chair of the Department of Languages and Literatures.
This appointment recognizes Dr. Bernard’s numerous accomplishments in our profession, both administratively and scholarly. Congratulations to the new Chair and many thanks to Dr McEwen for her many contributions and dedicated service to our Department.

Dr Cyndy Klima

Honoring Student-Athlete: Nick Voggel

Hometown: Tully, NY

High School: Tully Jr/Sr. High School

Major: History

Most Influential Professor: Dr. Cynthia Klima

Professor Klima is a lively and fun professor who has constantly challenged me over the years. I have truly enjoyed having her as my teacher. She has taught me to never give up and keep on trying no matter what. Her lessons will never be forgotten, especially when I visit Germany.

Professor Rocio Vallejo

Honoring Student-Athlete: Cailin Kowalewski

Hometown: Fredonia, NY

High School: Fredonia High School

Major: English

Most Influential Professor: Rocio Vallejo

I have twice been a student in Professor Vallejo’s classes. In both cases, she expected a level of excellence from myself and my classmates that at times seemed unattainable in a second language, but that ultimate-ly helped me develop into a much stronger student and person than I expected. Professor Vallejo is posi-tive, encouraging, and expects nothing less than one hundred percent effort from her students in every-thing that they do. She easily embraces mistakes as opportunities for growth, and offers enthusiasm and support to her students as readily as she challenges them. Her confidence has been invaluable to me as a student, athlete, and individual.

Full-Time Faculty

• Dr. Kathryn FREDERICKS, Visiting Assistant Professor of French (Generalist)

• Dr. Delano LAMY, Visiting Assistant Professor of Spanish (Linguistics)

• Mr. Kyle MATTHEWS, Visiting Lecturer of Spanish (Generalist)

Half-Time Faculty

• Dr. Amr ELSHERIF, Fulbright Visiting Scholar, Arabic and Culture Studies  (appointment shared with English Dept.)

Part-Time Faculty and Teaching Assistants

• Ms. Rosa PILLCURIMA, Adjunct Instructor of Spanish

• Ms. Wenzhuo (“Wendi”) LI, Adjunct Instructor of Chinese

• Ms. Rocío ROMERO CATALÁ, Spanish Teaching Assistant (exchange program with Universidad de Córdoba, Argentina)

• Ms. Nadjet SARRAB, French Teaching Assistant (exchange program with Université Montpellier III, France)

I am currently working as a Placement Specialist at LASPAU: Academic and Professional Programs for the Americas, which is a non-profit affiliated with Harvard University.  I work with scholarship grantees from Latin America to help them find the best academic and financial fit and place them at U.S. universities, and I use my Spanish in this position on a daily basis.  I also work part-time as a freelance translator and proofreader for a Peruvian translation agency, where I worked on a variety of finance, legal, and government-related documents.  And, when I have free time, I also volunteer as a translator for Kiva.

I think that Geneseo and particularly the Department of Languages and Literatures provided me with the tools needed to succeed in my career.  As a Geneseo student, I pursued a double major in Spanish and International Relations, as well as a minor in Latin American Studies.  I was a member of the Sigma Delta Pi honor society and was president of the Phi Sigma Iota honor society.  I also had the opportunity to participate in a direct immersion study abroad program at Universidad San Francisco de Quito (UFSQ) through SUNY.  Then, as a senior, I spent two months in Nicaragua during the pilot phase of what is now the Service Learning Program in El Sauce.  These experiences, coupled with my job as a student at the International Student Services Office at Geneseo, led me to pursue a career in international higher education, focusing on Latin America.  Since graduating, I have worked with international students, U.S. study abroad students, and have taught English abroad and rated English proficiency exams.

I think that there is a stereotype that a degree in a second language isn’t useful or that it is only relevant if you want to be a language teacher, but this is a large misconception, especially given that we are living in an increasingly interconnected world.  My brother has even told me that the one thing that he wishes he had done was continue with Spanish after high school, presumably because he has come to realize the benefit of knowing a second language since he entered the job market.  In my case, I started at Geneseo with the intention of being a high school Spanish teacher, but found along the way that there are many other ways to incorporate Spanish into your career, and I have found working in international higher education to be the best fit for me.

To contact Kathleen, email her at kathleen.oconnell@hotmail.com

Ellyn Jameson (Spanish)

Last year I founded a non-profit here in Peru, called AbrePuertas. We run a community education center in a rural community outside of Cusco. There are afterschool programs for the kids, and workshops and classes for adults and teens. We believe the best way to lift a community out of poverty is to empower them through education, and we aim to make it more accessible and exciting in places where the public education leaves a lot to be desired. I direct the day-to-day activities of the project, including planning and running workshops, coordinating volunteers, writing grants, doing PR, fundraising, and talking with the community members.
Geneseo got me to go to Peru! I came here as part of the study-abroad program to finish my Spanish minor as well as the study abroad requirement for my International Relations major, and after finishing decided to start my non-profit. And while I know most people won’t take that kind of step, I still highly recommend the study-abroad experience- it gives you a broader world view, and you have tons of fun experiences and form great friendships. The Spanish program in Cusco program was wonderful (and intensive!). I can’t recommend study abroad enough, and if you come to Cusco, you can volunteer with my project, too!

Study abroad was definitely my favorite part of my experience with the Languages/ Literature Department.

Having a degree in a second language is so valuable! Working in Peru I naturally use Spanish everyday, but I have also found it useful for translating documents and in general being able to communicate with more people. Even if you don’t speak perfectly, putting forth the effort and showing that you value communicating with them goes a long way to establishing trust and making someone feel comfortable. Languages are FUN, and provide a lens into a country or culture. Learn as many as you can!

To contact Ellyn, email her at ellyn.jameson@gmail.com or visit her non-profit at www.abrepuertas.org

Erinn Kehoe (French and Spanish)

After having the opportunity to spend a year working as an English teaching assistant in France, I am back in the US with a job as an administrator and ESL teacher at a private language school in Albany. I work with potential and current students to organize private and small group classes, and I teach English as a second language to children and teenagers. I have the opportunity to use my knowledge of French and Spanish every day to communicate with my coworkers and students.

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without the excellent study abroad opportunities that were available to me at Geneseo. Without my time abroad, I would not have had  either the skills or experience necessary to spend a year working in France after graduation or to get the job that I currently hold. I have also found the critical thinking skills that were necessary in every foreign language class to be useful in my French and Spanish classes in both my professional and personal life.

My favorite experience at Geneseo was the opportunity to study abroad. Although it was a challenge to fit in with all of the courses required as a double major, my professors and the department staff were very helpful and accommodating. My time abroad was unforgettable and gave me the chance to grow in ways that wouldn’t have been possible if I had spent all four years of my studies in western New York.

A degree in a second language opens up a wide range of opportunities, both in the US and abroad. Even in fields not related to language or international relations, employers see it as proof that you’re independent and self-motivated. Studying a second or third language also provides a sensitivity and openness to other cultures and ways of thinking that’s valuable in any field.

Cladia Plantin (French)

I work for City Year, a non-profit organization that provides help to high risk, low-income children and their families in urban settings through academic support, attendance and positive behavior encouragement. With a commitment to service, the organization advocates and promotes tolerance and equality by leading programs that teach elementary, middle school and high school students about how to be active citizens in their communities.

The Department of Languages has really helped me throughout my four years in Geneseo. Their mentoring, guidance and constructive criticism have been instrumental in the achievement of my academic goal. The professors made themselves available as often as possible and provided prompt responses at my queries. Whether it was career exploration or a letter of recommendation, they were always willing to go above and beyond.

My favorite experience with the Department of Languages has to be the enriching learning environment that it fostered. The expertise and the dedication of the professors in the subject matter were impressive. Classes were very engaging and purposeful.  The professors catered to different learning styles and brought with learning a sense of self and growth. The professors were my friends when I needed one. They were always available to help me and challenge me in ways I never thought possible in my field of study.

A degree in a second language opens doors to a wide variety of possibilities, including multicultural exchange and additional career opportunities. In today’s global economy, remaining monolingual limit professionals in achieving their career objectives and their ability to set themselves apart from other potential employees seeking the same position.

Jeremy Stillman (Spanish)

I am a Research Associate for the Progressive Radio Network (PRN), an online radio station based in Manhattan. In my position, I write articles and investigative reports on a variety of topics including health freedom, complimentary and alternative medicine and global environmental issues.  I work closely with the radio network’s founder, natural health icon, radio host, documentarian and author, Gary Null. I also collaborate with a team of documentary and radio program producers as well as social media specialists to present the most current research on these issues to thousands of radio listeners and website visitors each week.

In college I majored in Spanish and International Relations. Reflecting on my time at Geneseo, especially my involvement in the Department of Languages and Literatures, I recognize just how much it expanded my worldview and set me on a path of personal and professional success. A formative experience for me was when I studied Spanish abroad in Costa Rica for two months. This immersion experience deepened my command of the language and gave me the chance to witness firsthand the cultural dynamics we had discussed and analyzed in the classroom back in Geneseo. I was so inspired to explore more that, upon graduating, I spent five months teaching English  in a small village in the south of Chile.  One year later, I traveled to Seville, Spain where I worked in a hotel for three months. These experiences abroad were so much more meaningful because of the quality education I received from Geneseo’s passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

I can confidently state that my degree in Spanish has opened doors for me professionally. After graduating I worked for a nonprofit healthcare company in a position where I was routinely called on to act as a translator. In my current job, I rely on Spanish and my foundation in Latin American studies to communicate with certain company partners and broaden the scope of my research.

A degree in a second language is immensely valuable. From an employment standpoint, it significantly adds to your attractiveness as a hiree and affords you the luxury to choose between many fields of work. Beyond that, it helps you to form meaningful relationships with individuals from across the globe, opening you up to a wealth of enlightening and wonderful experiences.  With a degree in a second language, you much more easily make the transition from a tourist and an outsider to a traveler and a friend.

To contact Jeremy, email him at JeremyAStillman@gmail.com

Dr Rose McEwen received a Tier One Award for her project focusing on transforming to a hybrid foreign language instructional model. A Tier One Award funds projects up to $10,000.

Dr Lori Bernard received a Tier Three Award from Geneseo for her project focusing on leveraging SUNY system expertise through distance mentoring to enhance the undergraduate research experience. A Tier Three Award funds projects up to $60,000 with a 33% matching funds required.

“This new competitive grants program will enable partnerships across SUNY to leverage technology as a means to educate students,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. “It serves as an excellent example of the power of SUNY to realize efficiencies through the sharing of resources and instructional partnerships within our system.”

All projects included an assessment and communications plan to ensure that the new innovations can be openly shared and replicated across SUNY. Funded projects demonstrating potential for multi-campus use will be eligible to apply for additional funds in 2013.

Tang is among nine Chinese language teachers and administrators that CLERC has honored this year. The honorees receive a fully covered, two-week education trip to China and will have opportunities to network with U.S. and Chinese educators, build partnerships, attend classes and learn firsthand about China by visiting cultural and historical sites.

“I am thrilled to receive this honor,” said Tang. “It affirms two decades of teaching the Chinese language and I am very thankful.”

Established in 1993, CLERC is a non-profit institution based in California dedicated to the research and advancement of Chinese language teaching and learning and to the promotion of U.S.-China cultural and educational exchanges.

Three of Tang’s students also will be in China this summer on study abroad programs and another will be there teaching English as a second language.

Tang, who received a psychology degree from Geneseo in 1987, has been on the Geneseo faculty since 1991. She received a master’s degree in Chinese education from SUNY Empire State College and completed master’s degree courses in linguistic and applied linguistics at East China Normal University in China. She is a member of the Chinese Language Teachers Association.

Tang also has published the textbook “Taking Off With Chinese,” designed for students who have had no contact with the Chinese language or culture.

President:  Kathleen Comando

Vice President:  Connor Burgevin

Secretary:  Nathalie Grogan

Treasurer/AAC representative:  Lauren Slezak.

The French club Advisor, Dr Beverly Evans, was in attendance as well as former officers of the club and other french faculty.

For the first time, the TLC opened the nomination process up to students in addition to faculty and staff.  This resulted in over 100 faculty candidates who received at least 1 nomination, and it was a difficult task narrowing the list with so many deserving faculty members.  The faculty members selected for the 2012/2013 academic year are listed below: (*indicates a candidate nominated by the students)

- Kelly Keegan* (School of Ed)

- Rose McEwen* (Foreign Lang/Lit)

- James McLean (Physics)

- Darrell Norris (Geography)

CONGRATULATIONS to Dr Rose McEwen, Associate Professor of Spanish and Chair of the Department of Languages and Literatures, for her selection.

Jennifer Grom and Lauren White presented “Humanities and Service Learning in Nicaragua” in Welles 134; faculty sponsor: Wes Kennison.

Mallory Long, Sarah Dziekonski, Andrea Bush and Kevin Felter respectively presented “The Spanish Civil War and Contemporary Film”, “Art and Society in Modern Spain”, “Contemporary Spanish Television” and “Spanish Food” in Welles 26; faculty sponsor: Dr Lori Bernard.