Loyola University Chicago

Latin American & Latino Studies

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Faculty Profile: Dra. Natalia Valencia

Faculty Profile: Dra. Natalia Valencia

I’m a native Puerto Rican with a Brazilian swing in my step.
 
My experiences working with students, from grade-school to college, and my love for literature, travel and cultural learning, have happily lead me into the foreign language classroom.
 
At Loyola, I teach Spanish language courses at all levels as well as introduction to literature courses. I’m the faculty advisor for the Spanish Club and a mentor for the LUCES Program and the Dual Credit Enrollment Program. I’m also this year’s Director for the Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Córdoba, Spain. 
 
My current research focuses on teaching strategies for Hispanic literature courses. I’m interested in the relationship between learning and design, and how we can rethink the traditional classroom experience.
 
What I like most about being at Loyola is my time in the classroom with the students. I also really enjoy looking at the lake!