Stephanie Latkovski

College hires international studies dean

The College is working on a new recipe for providing international and second language educational opportunities to its students. One of the key ingredients is Stephanie Latkovski, who joined the University this week as Associate Dean of the College for International and Second Language Education.

Latkovski’s appointment emerged from several College initiatives––the dramatic expansion of foreign study opportunities in Latin America, Europe and Africa; a desire to expand the programs and coordinate the resources for second language acquisition on campus and abroad; and finally, a Mellon Foundation Grant that will be used to reevaluate and revise the core structure for College language programs.

“When this thing is finished, we will offer a totally integrated internationalization of the College––on campus, in the curriculum, in civilization studies and in every concentration,” said Sander Gilman, Chairman of Germanic Studies and the Henry R. Luce Distinguished Service Professor of Liberal Arts in Human Biology. “A certification in language proficiency from Chicago will not be matched by any peer-group college.”

Latkovski is a big part of making that happen. John Boyer, Dean of the College, said Latkovski will be responsible for the administrative coordination of the University’s foreign study programs and second language study programs on campus. She will drive fundraising to support these international initiatives and will administer the Foreign Language Acquisition Grant and international traveling fellowships competition. Latkovski also will join forces with Lewis Fortner, Associate Dean of Students, Director of International Programs and an Advisor in the College, to assist students in selecting international programs and to organize new international internship opportunities.

Such programs include the new summer internships in Mexico City, where qualified students will perfect Spanish language skills, perform biomedical research in a laboratory and gain exposure to Mexican culture. According to Gilman, students traditionally study either Spanish or biology, but not both at the same time.

The College is revamping the either-or model and creating an opportunity whereby students in every concentration can have significant opportunities for international education. “With the competency in language and foreign culture this structure provides, our students will gain sophistication and a command of a second language that will make students unique in their own field,” said Gilman.

Within five years, Boyer expects one-fifth of each College class to study civilization courses abroad and at least one-third of each College class to graduate proficient in a foreign language. Future opportunities will include concentration courses taught in a second language on campus; language labs in residence halls, where students will view television programming and have discussions in a second language; additional civilization courses and intensive foreign language courses abroad; and additional international internships.

“We’re combining international study and foreign language study in a very imaginative way, and we want students to take advantage of this synergy,” said Boyer. “Stephanie Latkovski brings a wealth of experience in teaching foreign language and running international programs.”

Latkovski joins the University from the Joseph E. Kutz, M.D., International Center at Spalding University where she directed all activities to internationalize the campus, including establishing and promoting study abroad programs in locations such as Belize, Ireland and Kazakhstan; promoting international business, educational and cultural exchange in conjunction with organizations such as the Louisville International Cultural Center; and attracting students and scholars from foreign countries. Having taught French and Spanish, Latkovski worked with the Kentucky State Department of Education to set proposed standards for teacher evaluation and promotion.

Among her professional memberships are the National Association of International Educators, the American Association of Teachers of French and the Alliance Française. Latkovski received her B.A. in French from Ballarmine College, her M.A. in foreign language education from the University of Louisville and her Ph.D. in linguistics from Indiana University.