Denise Caterinacci

Denise Caterinacci serves as Section Head and Senior Instructor of Italian at Case Western Reserve University, where she has taught since 1989. She acts as Academic Representative for the Italian program, expanding course offerings and introducing the May Term study abroad course in Italy, while advising the Minor in Italian, the "La Dolce Vita" Italian club, and the Slow Food on Campus chapter.

Her educational background includes:

• Undergraduate and graduate degrees from Kent State University and Lake Erie College in Italian, Teaching of Foreign Language, Art, and Psychology
• Additional coursework at Middlebury College
• Studies at Centro Linguistico Italiano (Florence) and Università per Stranieri (Siena)

Her research centers on motivation in language learning within second language acquisition, with specialized focus on translation studies for dramatic writing. This work has driven development of conversation immersion programs and dramatic text translations, reflecting interdisciplinary connections to psychology and pedagogy.

She has received significant recognition including:

• Mortar Board "Top Prof" award
• "Outstanding Faculty Advisor" for the "La Dolce Vita" Italian club

Denise secured grants specifically for conversation immersion curriculum development and dramatic writing translation projects. She also contributed as a writer to the Cengage Learning Italian textbook series PIAZZA (2015, 2020) and maintains accreditation as an American Translators Association translator alongside her Ohio Department of Education teaching license.