Andres Ruiz, PhD
- Director of Spanish Program
- Assistant Professor of Spanish Language, Literature, and Culture
- Fellow in Catholic Studies
About Me
I am a native from Colombia and am very passionate about the study of history, languages, and cultures. I believe that teaching and learning languages helps you to better understand your own and other cultures. I like my job and I think that being a professor is an opportunity to renew yourself — every year, every semester — and learn every time from your colleagues and your students. For that, I feel blessed. I love (and play) music and I like to write short stories, songs, and hope to publish a novel someday soon.
Why I’m At MaryDefinitely, coming to the University of Mary is one of the best decisions I have made. I feel grateful for the opportunity to work at an institution where faith and reason work together to better ourselves and to improve our understanding of reality. Here, leaders, faculty, staff, and students do their best to live out the ideals of servant leadership, following Jesus.
Expertise
My areas of expertise include Latin American Literature and Culture during the colonial times (19th and 20th centuries), Medieval Spain, contemporary social production (literature, music, cinema), and Chicano/Latino studies. I am interested in the intersection between literature and history, specifically Historic novels.
Education
PhD (Spanish Literature and Culture): Arizona State University, 2018
MA (Spanish Literature and Linguistics): Sam Houston State University, 2013
MA (Health Education): Sam Houston State University, 2011