Maria R. Gonzalez - Advisor of the Year - 2007

Foreign Languages and Literatures

Dr. María R. González has been selected as the 2006-2007 Outstanding Advisor. González has served as the Academic Coordinator for the Spanish Program on four occasions and as the academic advisor for students majoring and minoring in Spanish since coming to CSU, Chico in 1993.

González received a PhD in 1991 from the University of California, Irvine in Spanish. Her BA was awarded in 1978, and her Master's Degree in 1980, both from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She has published a book and submitted her poetry to numerous anthologies. Dr. González created a vision and the Strategic Plan for Spanish, she also was instrumental in the integration of technology into the teaching of languages when she developed the MLC (Multimedia Language Center) along with other members of her department.

She has functioned as an advisor for MEChA and founded the Spanish Club, known as SELAC (Sociedad Estudiantil de Literatura, Arte y Cultura) in 1999: http://www.csuchico.edu/flng/spanish/studentorgs.htm#selacShe also founded the cyber journal El Garabato (2002). This journal dedicated to publishing the works of students who are part of the Spanish program: poetry, essays and short stories in Spanish. This is available through the Spanish program Web-Page: http://www.csuchico.edu/flng/spanish/elgarabato.html. Throughout her years at CSU, Chico, she has worked tirelessly not only advising students in their academic programs but many times helping them figuring-out their call in life.

Year after year, Dr. González participates in Preview Day, Freshman Day, and Career Fair. With the Spanish club, she works with students bringing speakers on campus that deal with the Spanish Culture. These events allow Dr. González to have direct contact with students and help them in making careers goals associated with Spanish.

Gonzalez’ nominators for the award shared their belief in the strong role model she provides to students. “She is an undeniable role model for Chicano, Latino and all students,” said a faculty colleague. “Once they realize how well informed she is and how genuinely interested she is in student concerns, they seek her out again and again. She speaks frankly, and students know that she has their best interest at heart. Many of her students have gone on to PhD programs, subsequent to her recommendation, in programs of national renown.”

Beth Carmichael, Spanish program student, credits González with her choice of Spanish as a major. “ Dr. González has provided hard work, dedication and care when working with students inside and outside of the classroom. She inspires students to challenge themselves to gain a more intense, fulfilling education…Had I not had the opportunity to meet Dr. González, perhaps I would not have fallen in love with the Hispanic culture and the Spanish language,” said Carmichael.

Dr. Gonzalez’ research interest focuses on Mexican Literature. Currently, she is working on a book that deals with the presence of Mexican women writers of Jewish origin, an unexplored topic in Mexican Literature.