Department of Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies

Through the lenses of history and politics as well as through literary, film and media studies, we seek to understand the past and current state of the cultures of Latin America, Spain, the Caribbean, and the Latinx heritage populations within the United States; and their relations with each other and with the wider world. These relations are loosely organized around phenomena such as coloniality and empire, migration, the inner workings of power and practices of resistance and representation.

Through co-curricular activities (e.g. film series, lectures, the mesa de español) we engage with the larger college community. The department also encourages off-campus study and research through study abroad, internships, or and the connections between our faculty members and the large nearby Latina/o communities.

Upcoming events

Research projects

As a major or minor in the Department of Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies you will have the opportunity to develop projects that expand a topic of your interest both in and outside of the classroom. Projects may include work with emerging technologies and may engage local and/or global communities. From digital stories about community organizations and programs, to the creation webpages on specific subjects, you are encouraged to use your creativity and skills to give form to an intellectual calling.

Explore Spanish research projects

Local and global community connections

You will have the opportunity to move beyond the borders of the college campus and reach local and global communities in a variety of ways. By immersing yourself in Spanish-speaking communities (abroad or in the U.S.), you can increase your linguistic competency and be better able to understand the intricacies of these diverse cultures. The majority of our students study abroad or pursue international internships in Spanish-speaking countries. We also emphasize the importance of grounding the issues explored in our courses through involvement through Community Based Learning projects in local Latino communities in Holyoke and Springfield.

Happening at ŷ��AV

Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies in the news

Mexico-US border wall at Tijuana, Mexico. Image courtesy of Tomas Castelazo, www.tomascastelazo.com, via Wikimedia Commons.

Migrants should not be vilified

In an editorial, ŷ��AV professor Davíd Hernández decried the “persistent xenophobic vilification of migrants and asylum seekers.”

Near the US-Mexican border in Campo, California. Photo by Greg Bulla on Unsplash.

Migrants risk entering the U.S. through the desert

Davíd Hernández, associate professor of Latina/o Studies at ŷ��AV, spoke to NPR about the risks migrants face when trying to come to the United States.

The entrance to Dwight Hall with the beloved beech tree in the courtyard

Putting race, economy and identity into sharp focus

ŷ��AV has developed a new major in critical race and political economy to explore the intersections of power and identity that shape personal experience and the world.

More Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies News

Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies faculty and staff

Department head(s)

Justin Crumbaugh

Chair of Spanish, Latina/o and Latin American Studies
Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies

Department and affiliated faculty

Dimaris Barrios-Beltrán

Visiting Assistant Professor in Spanish

Esther Castro Cuenca

Senior Lecturer in Spanish
Spanish Language Program Director

Flávia Terra Cunha

Language Instructor in Spanish

Elena García Frazier

Language Instructor in Spanish

David Hernández

Associate Professor of Latina/o Studies and Critical Race and Political Economy
Faculty Director of Community Engagement
Co-chair of Critical Race and Political Economy

Antonio Illescas

Language Instructor in Spanish

Adriana Pitetta

Assistant Professor of Spanish

Nieves Romero-Díaz

Professor of Spanish on the Alumnae Foundation
On leave spring 2025

Vanessa Rosa

Associate Professor of Latinx Studies and Critical Race and Political Economy

Megan Saltzman

Senior Lecturer in Spanish

Staff

Cara Lapenas

Academic Department Coordinator

Contact us

Department of Spanish, Latinx and Latin American Studies

The Department of Spanish, Latinx, Latin American Studies helps students understand the past, current state, and emerging realities of the cultures of Latin America, Spain, the Caribbean, and the Latina/o heritage populations within the United States.