Larissa Swartz, '15

Larissa Swartz is a Spanish major graduating in May 2015 who is also completing her certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Spanish was her first cultural and linguistic love since high school when she first started studying it and traveled abroad for the first time.

Studying in the Department of Modern Languages has been an enjoyably enriching experience for Larissa as she has had the opportunity to garner not only linguistic and cultural knowledge, but pedagogical knowledge in second language instruction from her professors. After being inducted into the Hispanic Honors Society in fall of 2013, Larissa was honored to receive a scholarship through Sigma Delta Pi to study in Spain for a month in July of 2014.

In fall of 2014, Larissa also participated as one of the first modern language interns and spent the semester using her Spanish by serving Hispanic immigrants at the Ministerio Hispano Católico in Dayton. This spring semester, Larissa has enjoyed her TESOL internship in the LEAP program, as well as working closely with Dr. Serrano on her Honors project about the spiritual evolution of Spain.

Larissa has enjoyed the opportunity through Wright State to build lasting international friendships through which the mutual exchange of language and culture has expanded her world. After graduation, she plans to continue working with international students in Dayton through International Friendships Inc. (IFI) and to apply for an opportunity to teach English abroad through the Fulbright program.

Larissa is honored to receive this award and could not have accomplished so much in her undergraduate study if not for the grace of God and the love and support of her parents, sister, professors, Dr. Serrano, and close friends here in Dayton. She currently resides in Fairborn with her Cuban American friend and fellow musician, Caty.