Maria Sandweiss

Maria Sandweiss is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics at the University of Maine. She holds an M.A. in Liberal Studies from the University of Maine and a B.A. in Social Sciences (Archaeology) from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Lima, Peru. Her expertise focuses on Latino immigration in Maine, Latin American cultures, Peruvian archaeology, and the application of immigration themes in Spanish language education.

• Education:
• M.A. Liberal Studies, University of Maine
• B.A. Social Sciences (Archaeology), Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos

Her research interests include analyzing ancient molluscan remains, contemporary Latin American cultures, and the intersection of language education with cultural immersion. She actively promotes Spanish language and Latin American cultural initiatives through programs like World Languages Day and the CHISPA Hispanic Heritage Month Lecture Series.

Dr. Sandweiss coordinates elementary and intermediate Spanish courses (SPA 101–204), advises the Spanish Language Club, and chairs the MLC Student Awards Committee. She contributes to community engagement through the Spanish Table, FLAME Board in Higher Education, and collaborations with Maine schools.