Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz

Dr. Gabriel Saxton-Ruiz is a Professor of Spanish (Latin American Literature & Culture) at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) in San Antonio, Texas. He previously served as Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Humanistic Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. His academic journey includes a BA in Spanish/French from Virginia Tech, and MA/PhD in Modern Foreign Languages from the University of Tennessee. His research focuses on contemporary Latin American literature, cultural gastronomy, ecocriticism, and representations of violence in cultural productions, with a particular emphasis on intercultural dialogue and border dynamics. He has published books like Forasteros en tierra extraña (2012) and co-edited La narrativa de Jorge Eduardo Benavides (2018). His translations and articles appear in journals such as Words Without Borders and Revista Hiedra.

Education:

• PhD in Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish concentration), University of Tennessee
• MA in Modern Foreign Languages, University of Tennessee
• BA in Spanish and French, Virginia Tech

Research & Service: Saxton-Ruiz emphasizes cross-border dynamics in teaching and service, including volunteer work with the Office of Refugee Resettlement. His grants include the Wisconsin Humanities Council’s Culture of Fusion project and a National Endowment for the Humanities grant on Latino history in the Midwest. He is actively involved in UIW’s sustainability initiatives and service-learning programs.

Awards:

• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (2014)
• Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society (2009)

Teaching & Engagement: Courses span elementary Spanish to advanced topics in Latin American literature and culture. He organizes events with figures like Nicaragua’s former Vice President Sergio Ramírez and Argentine cartonero publishers, fostering international dialogue. His work bridges academic rigor with community engagement, reflecting his commitment to global awareness.