Hispanic Languages and Literature is extremely glad to welcome Lina Quiroz, our new Staff Assistant. Lina will be helping our undergraduate students and faculty to navigate our Spanish courses and requirements. She will also be assisting in all matters related to the new program in Native American Indigenous Studies (NAIS), housed in our department.
You can come Mondays to Fridays to our main office in Humanities 1055 and talk to Lina in person, in English or Spanish. Here is a brief interview we did with her last week to know a bit more about her career and interests:
¡Bienvenida, Lina! You have a long experience working in the education industry, can you tell us more about your background before joining Stony Brook?
During my college years, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Romance Languages. Seeking a more practical path, I transitioned into the field of immigration law, taking on the role of an immigration paralegal in New York City. As life evolved with the arrival of my first child, my professional focus shifted towards opportunities closer to home in Queens, leading me to secure a position at St. John’s University as a Senior Secretary of the Associate Dean of Global Initiatives. Within a year, I progressed to the role of Coordinator of Global Initiatives at The Peter J. College of Business, where I played a crucial role in managing the global programs within the college. This experience laid the foundation for my subsequent promotion to Assistant Director of Global Programs. In this role, I spearheaded the management of the Global Destination Course Program, involving embedded courses with travel components, and contributed to the success of GLOBE (Global Loan Opportunities for Budding Entrepreneurs), a student managed academic program that provides small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries.
My journey has always been fueled by a passion for international studies and cross-cultural experiences. Now, finding myself in a role at Stony Brook within the Department of Hispanic Languages and Literature, I feel a profound sense of coming full circle in my professional endeavors.
Did you have any previous contact with Stony Brook?
After earning my degree from Hunter College (CUNY) in New York City, I became familiar with the SUNY schools, among which Stony Brook stood out as a prominent research university. Its reputation for significant advancements in the sciences and health industry piqued my interest. While recently delving into my research on Long Island universities, I discovered that Stony Brook not only excelled in the sciences but also boasted outstanding programs in the Arts, Sciences, Engineering, and Business. Discovering that Stony Brook University holds the prestigious position as the top-ranked SUNY institution in the state also made a lasting impression on me.
What were your first impressions of our campus and department?
When arriving to campus, I didn’t realize the physical size of the University is so enormous. I have heard of Stony Brook being its own little city, and now I understand why. The numerous buildings and housing structures along with the prestigious hospital are impressive. There is a real university spirit, and you sense that as you drive through the manicured pathways of the university. I find the Hispanic Languages and Literature department to be a warm and welcoming department. Everyone I meet is genuinely nice and there is an energy of eagerness to learn. There is also a notable passion in the faculty and staff that reminds me of my undergraduate days as a language major.
What do you love to do in summer or when you are not busy working?
I proudly wear the hats of a soccer, lacrosse, and dance mom, constantly shuttling between games, practices and recitals with my family. We love to travel and experience new cultures. When international journeys aren’t feasible, we like to explore areas in our own region. Having grown up in Queens and currently residing in Nassau County, the eastern part of Long Island remains uncharted territory for me. This summer, my plan is to explore what the East End has to offer while creating lasting memories with my family.
I also pride myself in creating a meal that brings friends and family together. Cooking is my heartfelt expression, a way to show love. I enjoy making Latin and Mediterranean dishes, but I like to explore various ethnic flavors. In the summers, you will always find us in the backyard spending time with friends and family alongside an open flamed grill as the music plays in the background. As a native Colombian, my culinary skills focus on Latin-American cuisine, including my favored arepas and sancocho. The comforting Latin dishes I make while listening to salsa music and sipping on strong coffee fills our home with the lively essence of our culture.
