Rachel Showstack

Rachel Showstack is an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at Wichita State University, affiliated with the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. She holds a PhD in Hispanic Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin and an MA in Spanish from Sacramento State. Her research focuses on Spanish as a heritage language, language ideologies, healthcare access for minority language speakers, and community-based education. She advocates for systemic change through applied linguistics and community-engaged scholarship, emphasizing language equity in healthcare and education systems. Her book Language Ideologies and Linguistic Identity in Heritage Language Learning is under contract with Routledge.

• Education:
  • PhD in Hispanic Linguistics, University of Texas at Austin
  • MA in Spanish, Sacramento State

Her work bridges sociolinguistics and applied research, addressing language barriers in healthcare and educational settings. Key themes include linguistic identity, healthcare access for marginalized communities, and the role of language in cultural power structures. Her recent projects examine Mayan communities in Kansas and the intersection of language policy with health equity. She actively participates in interprofessional education initiatives and service-learning programs to promote language access.

Dr. Showstack’s publications analyze clinical communication dynamics, healthcare law, and translanguaging practices in multilingual families. She critiques systemic issues in language policies and emphasizes collaborative, community-driven solutions. Her research underscores the societal impact of linguistic diversity, advocating for policies that recognize language as a social determinant of health.

While no formal grants or awards are listed, her commitment to community-engaged scholarship reflects a dedication to applied research with real-world impact. Collaborations with local organizations and healthcare providers highlight her interdisciplinary approach to solving complex language equity challenges.