Four students represented the University of North Georgia (UNG) at the Latin American & Latinx Studies Symposium, held April 4 at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

"This symposium provided an excellent platform for student engagement and academic growth, and the students' participation was both insightful and impactful," Dr. Alvaro M. Torres-Calderón, associate professor of Spanish and associate department head of Modern Languages, said. "This event truly underscores the academic achievements of our students and highlights the importance of providing them with opportunities for professional and intellectual growth. I am confident that their experiences at the symposium will further contribute to their academic success and professional development."

Presenters Georgia Deitz, Aidan Pavlich, Jorge Romero, and Fatima Santillan shared a panel with peers from other institutions, engaging in dialogue with fellow presenters and an engaged audience who asked thoughtful questions following their presentations.

Deitz, a Flowery Branch, Georgia resident, is pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Spanish language and literature concentration with a minor in history. She presented "Mariana Enriquez: Una feminista gótica." She will graduate in May.

Pavlich is a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Spanish concentration and business emphasis. She was mentored by Dr. David Hair under whose guidance she prepared her presentation titled “The Pronunciation of the Spanish Phoneme /b/."

Romero, a senior, is pursuing a degree in history with a minor in Spanish. Dr. Tamara Spike, department head of History, Anthropology & Philosophy, co-mentored Romero with Torres-Calderón on "Gender Parity in Mexico." Originally from Mexico, Romero now calls Dahlonega, Georgia, home.

Santillan, a Gainesville, Georgia, native, is a senior pursuing a degree in political science with a minor in public administration and public service. She presented "The Impact of Electoral Systems on Mexico's Politics and Capitalist Societies."  

Torres-Calderón was the moderator for a panel discussion, "Cultural Expression as a Tool for Identity and Social Change in Latin America."

"Attending the Latin American & Latinx Studies Symposium was academically enriching and an invaluable opportunity to grow as a presenter and scholar. The experience of presenting my research to an engaged audience was unforgettable and worth it" Pavlich said. "What made the symposium even more awe-inspiring was listening to the presentations of my peers. Each one offered a unique perspective and showcased the hard work and deep thought that went into their research. Learning from them and asking questions directly to the people who have immersed themselves in their topics made the experience even more meaningful."