Students present work, help host conference

Jessy Martinez, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Spanish language and literature concentration, serves as president of UNG's Spanish Club and volunteered at the conference.

"I wanted to get hands-on experience. This was a way to give back to the school and the department and everyone else who was at the conference," Martinez said. "It was good being able to hear about everyone's work and seeing how involved they are with the current issues of Latin America. I was able to learn new things."

Madeira Speligene, a junior from Garvin, Oklahoma, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a Spanish language and literature concentration and a minor in criminal justice, is the vice president of the Spanish Club and also volunteered at the conference.

"The conference was a good way to meet people from other universities," Speligene said. "I developed deeper relationships. I also learned so much from the professors and students who had developed all of this research."

UNG faculty members Dr. Alvaro Torres-Calderon, associate department head and associate professor of Modern Languages; Dr. Kristi Hislope, department head of Modern Languages and professor of Spanish; Dr. Donna Danns, professor of economics; Dr. George Danns, professor of sociology; and Maria Jose Maguire, lecturer of Spanish, served as program chairs for the conference.

"As co-chair, I've had the privilege of witnessing this conference continue to serve as a vibrant space for dialogue and discovery. The exchange of ideas here truly captures the richness of the Americas," Torres-Calderon said. "With participation from over 20 universities across Georgia, the United States and internationally, alongside strong engagement from UNG faculty and students, this conference reflects our global commitment and strengthens UNG's presence statewide and beyond. I'm grateful to everyone who contributed to making it such a meaningful experience."