Spanish & Hispanic Studies
Maritza M. Osuna

Maritza M. Osuna

Job Title
Senior Lecturer of Spanish
Karp Hall 206

Areas of expertise

Spanish and Hispanc cultures, foreign language acquisition, and technology.

Research interests

Hi, I’m Maritza!

I was born in Chile, but left the country when I was a child. Afterwards, I lived in different countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, which gave me a huge appreciation for the cultures and languages of the region.

I am a lover of music (BA in Music, University of Puerto Rico), and a lover of words and stories (MA in Spanish LIterature, University of Michigan). I am also deeply interested in teaching and learning (PhD in Language in Education, University of Albany). I moved to New York from sunny California. I have taught at Union College since 1994 for the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and the Latin American and Caribbean Program, and Gender, Sexaulity and Women’s Studies. In 2022, I had the honor of being awarded the Stillman Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Faculty members are nominated by students for the prize, which is awarded to a faculty member each year who makes the classroom a place that combines excitement, joy, and challenge.

Teaching interests

These are some of the exciting classes that I teach:

  • Spanish for beginners
  • Intermediate Spanish
  • Stories of Honor, Power, and Love
  • Latin-American Identities
  • Food for Thought
  • Spanish Conversation
  • Cultural Explorations of the Hispanic World
  • (Lost) and Found in Translation

Additional media

Academic credentials

B.A., University of Puerto Rico; M.A., University of Michigan; Ph.D., University at Albany, State University of New York