Lornaida Aviles

Lornaida Aviles is a Teaching Professor of Spanish and Study Abroad Faculty Leader at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, affiliated with the Department of Romance Studies. She specializes in teaching intermediate and advanced Spanish, integrating innovative technologies and cultural engagement into language education. Her academic interests focus on Latin American history, economic development in the Andean region, and Latino identity in the U.S.

Education: MA in Economic/Social Anthropology from the University of Missouri, BA in International Studies, and BS in International Marketing. She has developed and led study abroad programs to countries like Peru, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Ireland since 2009, contributing to a global-immersion curriculum for faculty and students.

Research Interests: Her work bridges anthropology and education, emphasizing cultural immersion and community service. She designs courses like SPAN 344 ('Living in the Hyphen') to explore Latino identity dynamics. Awards include the 2024 Johnston Teaching Excellence Award and Morehead-Cain Recognition.

Teaching: She coordinates courses such as SPAN 203 (Intermediate Spanish), SPAN 329 (Spanish for Professional Engagement), and ROMS 194 (APPLES Community Service). Her programs aim to prepare students for global challenges and meaningful cross-cultural contributions.