María Luisa Parra-Velasco

María Luisa Parra-Velasco is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at Harvard University. She holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Linguistics from El Colegio de México and has over 20 years of experience in higher education. As the Spanish Language Program Director and founder of Harvard’s Spanish Heritage Language track, she designs inclusive curricula prioritizing bilingual and bicultural students. Her research focuses on bilingualism, heritage language education, and intercultural pedagogy, particularly for Latino communities in the U.S.

Her work integrates community engagement, arts, and critical pedagogy to foster linguistic and cultural identity. She co-authored Enseñanza del español y juventud latina (2021) and leads initiatives like the Multilingual Family Resource Center. Awards include the Petra Shattuck Excellence in Teaching Award (2023) and recognition as Harvard’s Favorite Professor (2022).

• Education: B.A. Psychology (UNAM), M.A./Ph.D. Hispanic Linguistics (El Colegio de México)
• Leadership: Director of RLL’s Heritage Language Initiative, Harvard’s Spanish Language Programs
• Key Projects: Pioneered Spanish Heritage Language courses, developed intercultural curriculum frameworks

Her research bridges language, identity, and education, with contributions to sociolinguistics and bilingual child development. She collaborates with institutions like the Harvard Art Museums and El Colegio de México to create pedagogical resources for diverse learners.