Dr. Fernando Rubio, a tenured member of the English department at the University of Huelva (Spain) and his wife, M. Ángeles Bonilla, an experienced journalist, will form part of our faculty here at UVA-Wise during the fall semester of 2008. Dr. Rubio conducts research in the field of linguistics applied to the teaching and acquisition of foreign languages. He has previously participated in research projects in Costa Rica with twenty-two other professionals from the U.S., Europe and Argentina. Most recently, he has conducted research at the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. Rubio has published articles in several scholarly journals. His most recent publication is a book entitled Self-Esteem and Foreign Language Learning (forthcoming in Cambridge Scholars Publishing). In addition to his research, Dr. Rubio has been a visiting professor in Sweden, Germany, and Argentina, and he has directed graduate student research in Paraguay.  He has recently been chosen as "Best Teacher of the Year" at the University of Huelva.

                 Ms. Bonilla holds a Master’s in Journalism from the University of Madrid and has a degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. She has collaborated with several newspapers, radio, and TV in Seville, Spain.

                  The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is honored to have been chosen by Dr. Rubio for his sabbatical leave from the University of Huelva and is pleased to have Ms. Bonilla form part of the Spanish section. This professorial exchange is the first of its kind to take place between the College and one of its sister institutions (University of Huelva).