Estelle Finley

Estelle Finley is a Senior Lecturer in the World Languages and Cultures department at Spelman College, where she has taught Spanish courses since 1974. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, she earned her B.A. in Spanish and History (with departmental and university honors) from Fisk University and her M.A. in Spanish Literature from Purdue University, with additional training from Georgia State University and Emory University.

Education

• B.A. from Fisk University
• M.A. from Purdue University

Research Interests

Finley specializes in Afro-Hispanic Literature and Culture, examining representations of Afro-Hispanics in traditional Spanish and Spanish American literary traditions. Her work intersects with African Diaspora Studies, Cultural Studies, and Language Pedagogy, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to education.

Publications and Academic Contributions

Her publications span four decades and include translations of Afro-Hispanic texts, curriculum development essays, and interdisciplinary studies. Notable works include a 2014 article on art-technology integration in liberal education and a 2006 grant-funded study on teaching Afro-Hispanic literature through a woman-of-color lens.

Honor Societies and Leadership

• Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa (Fisk University)
• Founder of Spelman's Phi Beta Kappa Epsilon Chapter
• Founder of Lambda Nu Chapter of Sigma Delta Pi

Finley has served as a senior adviser to Mortar Board Honor Society, chaired numerous departmental committees, and contributed to curriculum development for Spanish courses at multiple levels. She remains actively engaged in Spelman's academic community.