Dr. Rodriguez has taught in the Spanish, Italian, French and Comparative Literature programs at the University of Dallas since 2010. Her teaching and research interests include Russian Literature of the XX century, Comparative Literature, and Soviet and post-Soviet memoir. She established the UD study-abroad program at the Catholic University of Lyon, France, and led study abroad programs to Costa Rica, France, Italy, and South Korea at UD and other universities. She also acts as advisor of the UD Spanish Club. Prior to coming to UD, she taught Italian at the University of Kansas and worked in international marketing. Her book, My Soviet Youth: a Memoir of Ukrainian Life in the Final Years of Communism (McFarland, 2019) is a memoir of being a part of the last generation to grow up under the Soviet power.
- Ph.D., English Literature, Texas A&M University-Commerce
- M.A., Spanish and Spanish/Latin American Literature, Texas A&M University-Commerce
- M.S., Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Kansas
- M.S., Philology and Foreign Languages, Kharkiv State Univesity of Kharkiv, Ukraine
- B.S., Philology and Foreign Languages, Kharkiv State University of Kharkiv, Ukraine
- Affiliate Instructor of Spanish, French, Italian
- Spanish Lower-Division Coordinator
- Lyon, France Study Abroad Director
- Spanish Placement Director
Taught Italian in the University of Kansas and for several years worked in international marketing and got the opportunity to travel to many countries. She also has extensive experience as an interpreter.
- My Soviet Youth: A Memoir of Ukrainian Life in the Final Years of Communism. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2019.
- “Specifics of Contemporary Foreign Language Education in the Higher Institutions of the United States: Challenges and Opportunities” in XI International Scientific Conference: Problems and Perspectives of Linguistic Preparation of the International Students Conference Proceedings (Kharkiv, Ukraine) October 2016
- “Problems and Advantages of Long-Distance and Online Platforms in Language Education” in VI International Scientific and Methodical Conference Linguistic Training for University Students of Non-Philological Specialties Conference Proceedings (Odessa, Ukraine) October 2015
- “Using Films in the Spanish-Language Classroom” in X International Scientific Conference: Problems and Perspectives of Linguistic Preparation of the International Students Conference Proceedings (Kharkiv, Ukraine) October 2015
- “Intertextuality and Normalcy/Abnormality Trends in Almodovar’s Films” Revista Destiempos 45 (June 2015): n. pag.
- Russian-Portuguese Conversation Book Kharkiv: Torsing Publishing House, 2004
- “Cabeza de Vaca: Early Explorer of Texas and Travel Writer.” Europeans in Texas: A Modern Languages Perspective. University of Dallas. Irving, Tx. March 4, 2020.
- Chaired the Russian Language and Methodology Session. Southern Central MLA Conference. Little Rock, Ar. Oct. 24-26, 2019.
- “My Soviet Youth: The Insight into the Recent Russian Memoir and the Literary Construction of the Post-Soviet Identity." Southern Central MLA Conference. Little Rock, Ar. Oct. 24-26, 2019.
- Book presentation. “My Soviet Youth.” University of Dallas.
- Moderated Slavic Literatures Panel at the Conference on Christianity and Literature: The Christian Storyteller. University of Dallas. Sept. 13-14, 2019.
- “From Active to Passive Existentialism: Dostoevsky’s Underground Man and Jose Camilo Cela’s Martin Marco.” Southern Central MLA Conference. San Antonio, Tx. Oct. 11-13, 2018.
- “Transgressive Animal Transformations in “Little Brother and Little Sister” and A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz.” Southern Central MLA Conference. Tulsa, Ok. Oct. 5-7, 2017.
- “Playing with Grammar: Using Games to Explain Grammar Concepts in Italian-Language Classroom.” American Association of Teachers of Italian Conference. Palermo, Italy. June 27-29, 2017.
- Chaired the Italian Language Teaching session. American Association of Teachers of Italian Conference. Palermo, Italy. June 27-29, 2017.
- “Specifics of Contemporary Foreign Language Education in the Higher Institutions of the United States: Challenges and Opportunities.” XI International Scientific Conference: Problems and Perspectives of Linguistic Preparation of the International Students. Kharkiv, Ukraine. October 2016
- 2000 Best Graduate Instructor of Italian Award from the University of Kansas French and Italian department
- 1997 Kharkiv State University Honors Award
- 1995 University of Kansas Award of Excellence in Advanced Italian
- 1994-1995 ACTR/ACCELS University Exchange Scholarship to the University of Kansas