معرفی
Bethzaida Fernandez is a Senior Lecturer of Romance Studies and Coordinator of the Spanish Language Program at Duke University. She is also an Affiliate at the Duke Global Health Institute. Her academic journey includes a B.A. (1989) and M.A. (1992) from the University of Northern Iowa, alongside certifications in Translation/Interpretation (1992) and ESL Professorship (1993). She has held roles such as Graduate Student Instructor at the University of Northern Iowa and Training Program participant at Georgetown University's American Language Institute.
Her research focuses on second-language pedagogy with emphases on technology integration, community-based learning, intercultural competence, and Global Health issues affecting immigrant populations. She also explores happiness studies and Latinx experiences. She directs the Duke in Costa Rica summer program and teaches courses like Language, Culture, and Health in Costa Rica, emphasizing health literacy and Latino communities.
Awarded the 2023 Richard K. Lublin Teaching Award, she has been recognized for service learning initiatives and curriculum development. She coordinates the Intermediate Spanish Program and teaches courses bridging language, culture, and public health. Notable contributions include co-producing the Gente Intermedio educational resource (2011).
