It is a pleasure to reconnect with you once again. As graduates of the Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín Program in Hispanic Studies and Languages, you remain an essential part of a community grounded in language, culture, and a shared commitment to meaningful engagement wherever you live. We are grateful for the many ways you continue to carry that formation into your professional, civic, and personal lives.
This year, our work has taken on a renewed sense of purpose. In an increasingly complex social landscape, our program remains committed to preparing students not only with linguistic proficiency, but also with the cultural competence, empathy, and critical perspective necessary to engage thoughtfully with people who look, speak and believe like them, and with those who do not. We see this formation as vital, equipping students to navigate moments of tension with humility, to listen across differences, and to contribute constructively and with confidence in the communities where they live and work.
We are also excited to share that the program is experiencing remarkable growth. This year marks our highest enrollment in decades, and we anticipate graduating the largest cohort of majors and minors in our history. This momentum reflects both the dedication of our students and the enduring value of the education you experienced during your time with us.
As we continue to grow, we remain deeply invested in strengthening our connection with you. This newsletter is one way of sustaining that relationship by sharing updates on our students, faculty, and initiatives, and by inviting you to participate in the ongoing life of the program. We would also welcome hearing from you, including your professional paths, your continued engagement with our Hispanic communities near and far, and the ways your experiences in the program have shaped your trajectory.
Thank you for being part of this community, both then and now. We look forward to continuing our relationship with you as Carroll College graduates.
~ Ryan Hallows, PhD
Director of the Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín Program in Hispanic Studies & Languages
Department of Languages & Literature
Carroll College
Program Highlights
This year, Dr. Hallows is teaching the first iteration of SP 322: Communicating Compassion: Spanish Translation and Interpretation for Health Professions. This course represents a close collaboration with the Carroll College Nursing program and reflects a shared commitment to preparing students to become both culturally competent and linguistically proficient healthcare professionals.
As part of the course, students developed scripts for simulated patient interactions that require the presence of a medical interpreter. They then recorded these scenarios in the campus podcasting studio, creating materials that were later uploaded to EHR-Go, a platform used in nursing courses to prepare students for clinical practice. The initial simulations feature patients such as Ignacio, a middle-aged man managing diabetes, and Fabiola, a patient navigating the effects of human trafficking and forced labor. While these cases are complex, they provide students with meaningful opportunities to engage with difficult social realities in a structured and supportive environment, helping them prepare for the kinds of situations they may encounter in professional healthcare settings. (Photo: Students recording Fabiola’s script in the podcasting lab.)
In addition, students in SP 322 participate in three collaborative sessions with Assistant Professor Janet Johnson’s nursing course in the simulation lab in Simperman Hall. In these sessions, students serve as interpreters for Spanish-speaking patients (our tech enhanced clinical manikins) while nursing students assess social determinants of health and provide care and follow-up guidance. One of the first simulations centers on Juan, a patient recently diagnosed with lung cancer after years of working in a vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana. This experience allows students from both programs to work together in real time, developing not only technical skills as a care team, but also the communication and cultural competence required in clinical environments. (Photo: First clinical simulation with interpreter and nursing students.)
These collaborations have led to the creation of the Juan Diego Nursing Program, an interdisciplinary pathway that allows students to complete degrees in both Nursing and Hispanic Studies within four years. Designing this program required careful coordination to ensure that students can pursue both fields without unnecessary barriers. We are proud of this partnership and of the way it reflects the broader mission of Carroll College: an education that prepares students not only for their professions, but for meaningful lives of service and engagement.
Recent Gifts
We are pleased to share the establishment of the David Austin Grose Spanish Immersion Endowed Scholarship, a transformative gift that will expand access to immersive study abroad experiences for our students.
Established by 1986 alumnus David Austin Grose, this endowed scholarship will provide approximately $5,000 annually beginning in fall 2027, with support continuing in perpetuity. The award is designated for a full-time student participating in a year-long Carroll College study abroad program in a Spanish-speaking community, with preference given to those living in a Spanish-speaking host family or fully immersive environment. Scholarship funds may be applied toward tuition, fees, travel, books, and room and board, making sustained linguistic and cultural immersion more accessible for our students.
Study Abroad
This summer, Dr. Restrepo-Mesa and Dr. Hallows will lead a group of 12 students on a three-week immersion experience in Ponce, Puerto Rico. This program continues a growing collaboration between the Juan Diego Program and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Puerto Rico.
While in Puerto Rico, students will take part in morning classes focused on language development, the cultural history of Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean, and the structure of the island’s healthcare system, including the unique challenges it faces. Particular attention will be given to understanding Puerto Rico’s position as part of the United States and the historical dynamics that continue to shape daily life on the island.
Outside the classroom, students will engage in a range of cultural activities and excursions that bring course themes into lived experience. Planned visits include El Yunque National Forest, several of the island’s beaches, the Tibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center, and the Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan. These experiences are designed to deepen students’ cultural awareness and strengthen their ability to connect academic learning with real-world contexts. We look forward to sharing reflections and insights from our students in the next edition of this newsletter. (Photo: Monumento a las Raíces Puertorriqueñas, Dorado, Puerto Rico)
Faculty Accomplishments
In October 2025, Dr. Restrepo-Mesa and Dr. Hallows attended the Rocky Mountain Modern Languages Association Conference in Spokane, Washington, engaging in panels on Languages, Literature, and Culture. Dr. Hallows presented a paper titled “Building a New Narrative for the Survival of Language Programs: Insights on Curricular Revision and Implementation at Small Liberal Arts Colleges,” while Dr. Restrepo-Mesa shared his work, “Desposesiones, inserciones controladas y dispositivos inmunitarios: el Neoliberalismo en El gran movimiento de Kiro Russo.”
Both presentations were well received and sparked meaningful discussion, contributing to ongoing scholarly dialogue in Hispanic Studies and advancing conversations about language, film, and cultural education. (Photo: Dr. Restrepo-Mesa presenting at RMMLA, Spokane, Washington)
Dr. Hallows was awarded the Artaza Faculty Travel Grant to visit Ávila, Spain, this summer with the goal of developing a partnership with the Universidad Católica de Ávila.
This initiative is part of our ongoing effort to expand collaborations with Catholic institutions across the Hispanic world, creating study abroad opportunities for students in our program and beyond. Given Ávila’s significance and its connection to St. Teresa and Catholic mysticism, we hope this partnership will also provide valuable experiences for students in programs such as Theology and Catholic Studies.
Alumni Spotlight
Francie Tupper '22
"Currently, I’m less than 2 months away from completing my master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling through Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA. After graduation, I’ll be using my degree in community mental health, working with underserved and minority populations.Outside of my work, I have begun volunteering with a local Latino Community Center, helping provide and organize necessary resources for members of the Latino community in Spokane.
"Nothing could have prepared me better for my work and volunteer activities than the Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín Program in Hispanic Studies and Languages. While the program helped me grow in my Spanish language skills, I am most grateful for the intercultural experiences this program offered me. These experiences have been paramount in helping me grow in cultural humility so I may better serve diverse populations.
"The most memorable part of the Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín Program is its emphasis on critical thinking and personal reflection of beliefs, values, and culture. Dr. Hallows challenged us to think outside the box and question the world around us by exploring histories, cultures, and experiences that differ from ours. This program was one of the most influential aspects of my time at Carroll College, and it will continue to shape my work, my perspective, and my actions for the rest of my life."
Francie graduated from Carroll in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish, and a minor in Neuroscience – Summa Cum Laude
Brooke (McMillen) Whiting '20
"I graduated from Carroll College in May 2000 with a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Spanish. Spanish first played an important role early in my career while working in a call center, where I was able to take calls without using an interpreter and make meaningful connections with clients.
"One of my favorite memories from Carroll was spending a summer studying abroad in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, where I lived with a host family and went on field trips that helped me learn about the culture and history of the region.
"Today I live in Iowa and still find many small, but meaningful ways to use Spanish in my community. I’ve helped interpret for someone while standing in line at the grocery store and assisted a father at our local school district office in understanding what he needed to register his daughter for kindergarten. I also use Spanish while working with clients at Mary’s Helping Hands (a non profit) and connecting with people at my parish, Sacred Heart Catholic Church. It has also been fun to see Spanish continue in my own family—my 17-year-old twins are now in their third year of Spanish.
"Studying Spanish opened the door to building relationships and understanding people from different backgrounds, and I’m grateful for the foundation the program gave me and the many ways it continues to help me connect with others."
Palmer Hoovestal '84
"My father, Gary Hoovestal, taught Spanish at Carroll for 15 years. During that time we lived in Pamplona, Spain, for a year while he studied for his Ph.D. in Spanish literature. Not surprisingly, I graduated in 1984 with degrees in Spanish, French, and International Relations. A few years later I obtained a law degree and have been practicing law and working for our international construction company ever since.
"Language skills are incredibly important in today’s globalized world and my undergraduate degrees have proved to be invaluable. Being multilingual makes one highly competitive in the job market, be it business, government, non-profit, or tourism. From representing Hispanic clients in court to many travels abroad, I have frequently been called upon to use my language abilities.
"Studying a foreign language provides a deeper appreciation for different cultures, allows for personal growth, offers a multitude of career opportunities, and generally makes for a rich and interesting life."
Saints Giving Day
Last year, thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín Program successfully raised nearly $2,700 through two Saints Giving Day initiatives. This year, we invite you to continue supporting these causes and ensure that the next generation of students can have equally transformative experiences.
The Juan Diego Immersion Fund helps cover travel, housing, and essential costs for students who want to study abroad but face financial barriers. These immersive experiences allow students to strengthen their Spanish language skills, engage deeply with Hispanic cultures, and grow as thoughtful global citizens. Every gift, no matter the size, helps make study abroad possible for more Carroll students.
The Juan Diego Health Professions Scholarship Fund supports first-generation students with strong academic records who are pursuing health professions and a major Hispanic Studies or a minor in Spanish for Health Professions. Your contribution helps prepare future healthcare professionals to provide compassionate, culturally informed care to diverse communities, including our growing Latino population.
By giving today, you help build a community of engaged, culturally aware students ready to make a meaningful impact. Together, we can continue to open doors and create life-changing opportunities for Carroll students.
Make your gift here:
The Juan Diego Health Professions Scholarship Fund
The Juan Diego Immersion Fund
Thank You
We are deeply grateful to all of you who continue to support our students, helping them take full advantage of the rich academic and cultural opportunities the program offers. We remain committed to strengthening our connection with alumni and building a vibrant alumni-student network—and we hope you will join us in this effort. With just the two of us running the program, we treasure every opportunity to stay in touch. Whether through classes, conversations, or immersion experiences, we have shared meaningful moments with many of you, and we are always delighted to hear from you. A quick note to say hello or share what you are up to brightens our day and keeps our community strong.
We also warmly invite alumni to join us for our Rose Ceremony, celebrating our graduating seniors, on April 27th from 6–7 PM in the Corette Library, Sage Room here on Carroll College’s campus. In this tradition, students are awarded an embroidered rose to wear on their graduation caps as a symbol of growth, courage, and dedication, inspired by the story of Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzín. If you are in Helena, we would be delighted to see you there and celebrate our graduates together.
Please feel free to contact us:
Dr. Ryan Hallows
rhallows@carroll.edu
Dr. Sergio Restrepo-Mesa
srestrepo-mesa@carroll.edu
