Thomas M. Stephens

Thomas M. Stephens is a Professor and Assistant Graduate Director in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Rutgers University. Since 1981, he has contributed to academia as a scholar of Latin American literatures and cultures, second language acquisition, and bilingualism. He serves as Rutgers’ Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) to the NCAA since 2002. His research focuses on race, ethnicity, and language in social contexts, particularly in Latin America.

Education:

• B.A. in Spanish Education, University of South Carolina
• M.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, University of South Carolina
• Ph.D. in Romance Linguistics, University of Michigan

His major works include Dictionary of Latin American Racial and Ethnic Terminology (1989, 1999) and A Game of Mirrors (2003). Current projects involve compiling a 3rd edition of his Dictionary with J. Maddox, expanding to include marginalized identities, and co-authoring Convenient Untruths on race and racism in Latin America.

Committees & Leadership: Stephens has held roles on numerous committees, including the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, Brazilian Studies Association, and Academic Oversight Committee for Intercollegiate Athletics at Rutgers. His service reflects institutional leadership in both academic and athletic governance.

His research bridges linguistics, history, and cultural studies, emphasizing how language shapes—and is shaped by—ethnic and racial ideologies. He critiques colonial legacies in terminology and advocates for inclusive language practices in education and public discourse.