Marianela Rivera

Marianela Rivera, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language & Literature at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), part of the College of Arts & Sciences. Her expertise spans Hispano-African literature, migration studies, and gender studies, with a focus on Peninsular Spanish literature and film. She teaches courses in Spanish language, culture, and literature at all levels, including specialized tracks for health and hospitality professions.

Education:

• Ph.D. Hispanic Studies, University of California, Riverside (2009)
• M.A. Foreign Languages and Cultures, Washington State University (2006)
• B.A. Comparative Literature, University of Puerto Rico (2004)

Research Interests:

• Hispano-African literature (Equatorial Guinea, Western Sahara)
• Migrant narratives and cultural identity
• Feminist literary analysis
• Spanish Golden Age theater and 19th/20th-century Peninsular cinema
• Global education and study abroad programs

Recent Work: Dr. Rivera’s publications explore Sahrawi women’s poetry, Afro-Bolivian identity in literature, and the intersection of migration and cultural clash in contemporary film. She has presented over 30 conference papers on topics such as Hispano-African feminisms, postcolonial narratives, and diasporic identities.

Teaching & Outreach: She leads FGCU’s Study Abroad programs to Spain, Ecuador, and Bolivia, integrating experiential learning into her curriculum. Courses include Spanish for Health Professions and Contemporary Afro-Hispanic Literature.