José R. Ballesteros

José R. Ballesteros is a Professor and Chair of the International Languages and Cultures Department at St. Mary’s College of Maryland. He has been affiliated with the institution since 2002. His research focuses on Creative Writing, Translation, and Early Modern Literature, with a specialization in the influence of the 'New World' on 17th-century Spanish literature. He teaches Spanish Film and has authored or co-authored multiple publications, including the Spanish literary anthology Voces de España (2004, 2013) and his poetry collection Lovedust/Polvo enamorado (2014). He is also a translator, co-translating Marcial Molina Richter’s The Word of the Dead (2012).

Educational Background:

• B.A. in Political Science, University of Kansas
• M.S. in Spanish, University of Kansas
• Ph.D. in Spanish, University of Kansas

Research & Publications: José’s work spans creative poetry, translation, and academic analysis of Early Modern Spanish literature. He co-launched Zozobra Publishing in 2012, an independent press focusing on bilingual editions of Latino/Latina poetry. His translation projects include works by Ecuadorian poet Jorge Enrique Adoum.

Affiliations:

• Modern Language Association
• Association of Writers and Writing Programs
• Asociación Internacional de Hispanistas

Advising & Grants: Details on advising students or grants are not explicitly stated, though his editorial and collaborative translation work suggest active scholarly engagement. His role at Zozobra Publishing highlights leadership in publishing marginalized voices in Latino poetry.

Labs/Teams: Founder and editor of Zozobra Publishing, an independent literary press emphasizing bilingual Latino poetry.