Languages, Literatures & Cultures

A USCA student double majoring in psychology and Spanish has earned a scholarship from Alpha Mu Gamma, the national collegiate foreign language honor society.  August Beltrán received the organization’s Maria Goddard Scholarship. The $1,000 award goes to students who demonstrate the power of foreign language beyond the classroom. In her application, Beltrán highlighted how Spanish and psychology can help increase understanding of and support for migrant communities.   “Receiving this award is a reminder that learning a language is also about connecting with culture and people beyond what you already know,” said Beltrán, from Windsor, South Carolina.  “It means challenging our own ethnocentrism to develop as a community. Marginalized communities like the immigrant community face various kinds of obstacles, including stigma when talking about mental health. I want to ensure that the community is comfortable with receiving and asking for help.”  She says the award, along with other scholarships she’s received, will help defray the cost of her education during her senior year at USCA.  “This helps lessen the financial burden and ensures I can fully focus on my educational goals. Furthermore, I plan to cover the registration of a conference on language learning and language education that is taking place at USCA in the spring of 2027. I plan to both present and learn more about how language programs in the Southeast of the United States are innovating and reshaping their efforts to contribute to the education of the future leaders of this region and to strengthen the workforce.”  She says the conference offers the “perfect opportunity” to engage with other perspectives on why learning languages is important.   Once she graduates in May 2027, Beltrán plans to go abroad to earn her master’s and doctorate degrees.  “After studying abroad in Spain last summer, I have been inspired to pursue my master’s overseas. My experience abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged my internalized ethnocentrism, and helped me further improve my Spanish,” she said.   “My dream job would be focusing on international research for marginalized communities, especially the Hispanic community. My main goal would be to foster people's sense of autonomy, so they have the skills to improve and also fuel their communities.”  Beltrán dove right into her studies and campus life, serving in many organizations. She even founded an organization: Diversity Advocates.  “I chose USCA because of its close-knit community. I have met amazing people on campus who are always willing to go above and beyond to support me.”   August Beltrán’s USCA experience  Student Government Association, diversity and inclusion chair  Hispanic Student Association, secretary and social media coordinator   Student Life, search committee member for international programs director   Psychology Research Lab, undergraduate research assistant  Study Abroad in Spain   Omicron Beta Chapter of Alpha Mu Gamma, founding member, event organizer and promotional materials coordinator   Diversity Advocates, president and founder  Student Government Association, global studies and multicultural engagement representative   Certificate in Spanish for the Clinical Encounter   Human and Civil Rights Champion Award   Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, awarded by the Department of State  College of Science and Engineering Travel Award   USCA Study Abroad Scholarship   Dean’s List   USCA Institutional Culture Program Fund  Ann W. and Robert M. Lewis Scholarship   Watson Brown Scholarship   “August is a model student, always inquisitive, curious and eager to learn about how Spanish has been, is, and will be, critical in shaping society,” said her faculty mentor Dr. Ángel M. Rañales.   “She comes from a background where education is highly valued as a tool for success and a meaningful life, and she has been involved and has taken intentional decisions to excel as a student and as an individual. She has always been eager to enhance her classroom experiences through a wide range of opportunities. She has received numerous awards and scholarships, and she understands that her college journey extends beyond classroom time.”   Beltrán anticipates using her dual degree to help vulnerable populations better communicate about their mental health.    “I have also volunteered as a medical interpreter at a clinic that primarily serves undocumented people and people with lower socioeconomic status. Through this experience, I have seen the vulnerability of people due to language barriers and other factors,” she said. “One of the patients who stood out to me spoke about the mental health issues she was enduring. It was impactful to see someone talk about mental health since it was always greatly stigmatized.   “As an interpreter, I bridged the language gap between the patient and the provider. This gave me insight into what I could provide for people through language and cultural competence as a future psychologist.”

USCA now grants nine free credits to junior and senior high schoolers who earn the South Carolina Department of Education Seal of Biliteracy and declare Spanish as their major.  High schoolers who demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing and speaking in both English and Spanish can earn the seal. The achievement saves prospective students who plan to major in Spanish time and money at USCA as students will have nine credits on the books and can go straight into higher level Spanish classes.  “Offering this credit to incoming students, inspires high schoolers to learn languages and assists them in getting into college and achieving their educational goals,” said Dr. Tim Ashton, chair of the USCA Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. 

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at USCA has introduced a dynamic new course for first-year students: HSSI A150 – Introduction to Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Designed to spark curiosity and showcase the broad opportunities within the college, the course brings together six professors and 90 enthusiastic students for a collaborative, team-taught experience. “To capture these students’ imaginations in the first semester of their freshman year,” says Forrest Anderson, dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, “faculty came together to design a shared course that encourages students to explore additional classes, pursue minors, or even declare majors in fields like English, Communication and Emerging Media, History, Languages, Political Science, Sociology, and Theater.” Backed by a 2021 study from the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Anderson challenges the myth that degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences lead to low-paying careers. “The learning priorities that executives and hiring managers value most are the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, make ethical decisions, and work in teams,” he explains. “These skills come from engagement with the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This course, along with our minors and majors, gives students a leg up and makes them competitive in the job market." Throughout the semester, students engage with these essential skills by reading and analyzing A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry. Every two weeks, they’re introduced to a new professor who explores the play from a unique disciplinary lens. “English offers us a controlled glimpse into the chaos of human interactions,” says Dr. Todd Hagstette, professor of English. When students study the play as literature, he explains, “we can begin to confront the issues we all face as members of our culture and become adept at navigating life, work, and relationships.” Senior Instructor of Communication and Emerging Media Elizabeth Webb adds, “I’m thrilled to be part of the team teaching this innovative course. We’re using A Raisin in the Sun to explore family communication, identity, and the forces that shape human connection. Students also examine how media representations influence cultural narratives and shape how we see ourselves and others.” Other faculty bring additional dimensions to the discussion: Dr. Melencia Johnson investigates the sociological themes; Dr. Sarah King provides historical context; Dr. Angel Ranales explores language and culture; and Ashley Jensen focuses on theatrical design elements. A key highlight of the course happens on Friday, Sept. 12. Theatre Professor Dewey Scott-Wiley, who has directed A Raisin in the Sun in the past at USCA, and Leadership Gift Officer, Carlos Baxley, who has played almost every male role in the play, will visit class to speak directly with the students.  Thanks to donor support, students also attend a live performance of the play and an on-campus showing of the off-Broadway production Pipeline. Far more than a typical freshman seminar, HSSI A150 offers an immersive, multidisciplinary experience that connects students with passionate faculty, exposes them to live theater, and builds critical skills that will serve them well throughout college—and beyond. For more information, please contact Forrest Anderson at forrest.anderson@usca.edu or at 803-641-3784.

“It was an honor to share perspectives and view the world through their eyes.” – August Beltrán Students from the University of South Carolina Aiken returned home after participating in the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures’ study abroad program in Valladolid, Spain. While their time overseas has come to an end, the impact of the experience is only beginning. The ten students who participated in the program returned not only with improved language skills but a broader sense of purpose. “This program is designed to push students beyond their comfort zones,” said Dr. Ángel M. Rañales, faculty leader and Spanish professor. “It’s not just about learning languages or exploring new cultures, it’s about growth, self-discovery, and learning to see the world through a different lens.” Among the standout participants is August Beltrán, a Psychology and Spanish double major, who was awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this nationally competitive scholarship is granted to only 1,600 students annually and is aimed at developing the next generation of American leaders with strong career skills and international networks.  "Studying abroad exceeded the mental and physical limits of my environment through human connection," said Beltrán. "It was an honor to share perspectives and view the world through their eyes." At USCA, Beltrán is recognized for her leadership and commitment to diversity and student engagement on campus. She serves on the executive board of the Hispanic Student Association (HSA), the GlowL1ght Dance Crew, and is the founder and former president of Diversity Advocates. She will continue her campus involvement as the social media marketing coordinator for HSA and as an executive member of the Student Government Association. Looking ahead, Beltrán plans to pursue a master’s degree in psychology, followed by a Ph.D. She wants to serve and empower the Hispanic community while applying her international experience to a career centered on mental health and cultural advocacy. Her journey through the study abroad program exemplifies the transformative power of global education and reflects the values of leadership, service, and cultural exchange that USCA strives to instill in all its students.

The inaugural conference, Languages in the South: Perspectives, Approaches, and Practices in Language Pedagogy, brought together language educators and scholars from Augusta University, USCA, the University of South Carolina, USC Upstate, Coastal Carolina University, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Co-organized and co-hosted by the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at USCA and the Department of English and World Languages at Augusta University, the event was an opportunity to share innovative and creative ideas to strengthen language programs in the region. Presentations included pedagogy techniques, innovation with technology and Artificial Intelligence, or practices to reframe programs or create new learning paths in Spanish, French, Arabic, German, Korean, Navajo, and American Sign Language  Overall, this collaborative gathering invited language experts to reimagine the educational development of our students through an intercultural and interdisciplinary lens, one that is workforce-centered and positions language learning as a vital asset that enhances critical skills across disciplines, degrees, and professions.  The gathering concluded by addressing the necessity of finding ways to ensure that language education continues to play a significant role in the academic and professional formation of South Carolinians and Georgians, as it has for decades. A spectacular success, the conference will now become an annual event, continuing to foster necessary and critical collaboration across the region.

Graduating senior Margaret Knotts will make history within the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department as the first student to graduate with a Spanish degree from the University of South Carolina Aiken. “I believe this is a beautiful thing,” Knotts said. “This is a testament that we still have success stories and students going on to graduate and go into different fields with our degree.”   Knotts cultivated a passion for Spanish in middle school but initially chose to enroll in the university as a biology major. A summer study abroad trip to Spain after her freshman year, however, sparked a change and she decided to change her major.  “Being able to communicate with people that did not grow up speaking the same language as me was something that was just so amazing to me,” Knotts said. “The Hispanic community has always been so welcoming and encouraging towards everything that I’ve done.”  With less than a week before graduation, Knotts has already traveled to England, Ireland, and around the United States. “I would like to go to Mexico at one point. My best friend, who will also be graduating from USCA’s Spanish Program, will be moving to Argentina in December,” she explained.   Knotts expressed that she'll genuinely miss USCA’s language program. Additionally, the impact of diverse events organized by the Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Department will stay with her. “Being able to engage with my professors and have that personal connection is what will really stick with me,” she said.  Outside the classroom, Knotts has showcased her talents for on USCA’s award-winning Eventing Team and served in campus organizations such as Delight Ministries, and the Hispanic Student Association.   After commencement, Knotts will prepare for a significant shift in her post-graduate life. She'll move to Spain, where she'll teach English for a few years. Once she returns, Knotts says she’d like to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist with issues surrounding immigration.  Knotts offers this piece of advice for anyone interested in becoming bilingual or wanting to major in any language, “Just go for it and don’t be too hard on yourself,” she said. “Network as much as you can and realize that language is not about perfection it’s about communication. Everybody’s language journey is different so just remember to give yourself a little time.”  Knotts is one of six graduating seniors, from university wide selected as exceptional students ahead of May commencement. Graduates are set to walk across the stage on Wednesday, May, in the Convocation Center at 6 p.m.