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People

The CSLC is an interdiciplinary and collaborative space, so our team is made up of faculty, staff, student employees, and visiting Fulbright language teaching assistants (FLTAs). We all work together to fill our mission and support our institution.

Staff

  1. A woman with short hair wears black jacket and gray shirt.

    Eun-Young 'Julia' Kim

    Center Director; Associate Teaching Professor

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  2. A woman with curly, reddish-brown hair wears a red blazer, white shirt, and gold necklace, smiling gently.

    Alessia Blad-Miller

    Teaching Professor Emerita , Dean's Offc-Coll. of Arts & Letters

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  3. A smiling person with long brown hair, wearing a white and dark patterned blouse, stands against a light green wall with arms crossed.

    Mary Davis

    Assistant Director

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  4. Headshot of a person with dark hair pulled back, wearing a pink collared shirt, smiling in front of a blurred green, leafy background.

    Hana Kang

    Teaching Professor; DUS (Director of Undergraduate Studies) Linguistics Program

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  5. Woman with long, dark, wavy hair, glasses, and a rust-orange top smiles, touching her cheek. She wears a green and tan beaded necklace and is set against a white background.

    Hannah Mentch

    Administrative Coordinator, CSLC-Ctr for Study of Lang. & Cult.

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  6. Alanna headshot

    Alanna O'Shea

    Program Coordinator

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Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTA)

  1. Ella Plakhotna

    Ella Plakhotna

    Ukrainian (Ukraine)

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    Ella Plakhotna

    Ella Plakhotna

    Ukrainian (Ukraine)

    Ella graduated from the Artes Liberales: Philology program at Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv. Her professional background is in communications, with experience working for an NGO focused on protecting the Carpathian forests. Ella also researches and practices Ukrainian traditions, with a particular interest in singing. During her time in the U.S., she hopes to explore Native American studies and learn more about the American education system.
  2. Ester Oliveira

    Ester Oliveira

    Portuguese (Brazil)

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    Ester Oliveira

    Ester Oliveira

    Portuguese (Brazil)

    Ester Oliveira is from Belém, Brazil. She holds a degree in English Language and Literature from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and is currently pursuing a specialization at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). She has experience teaching English to learners of different ages and is excited to share Brazilian culture with the Notre Dame community. Outside of teaching, Ester enjoys literature and adaptations, going to the movies, working out, exploring nature, and spending time with friends.
  3. Jackline Mabihya

    Jackline Mabihya

    Kiswahili (Tanzania)

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    Jackline Mabihya

    Jackline Mabihya

    Kiswahili (Tanzania)

    Jackline graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Education from the University of Dar es Salaam, where she specialized in linguistics and geography. She is excited to be joining FLTA Program at the University of Notre Dame and looks forward to sharing her language and culture while learning from students, faculty, and fellow international educators. 

    Jackline enjoys teaching languages, exploring different cultures, reading, and traveling. She is also passionate about creating engaging learning experiences that help students develop confidence in communication. 
  4. Kate Lawlor

    Kate Lawlor

    Irish (Ireland)

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    Kate Lawlor

    Kate Lawlor

    Irish (Ireland)

    Kate is from Gorey, County Wexford and graduated with a BA in Irish & Irish Folklore in 2025 from University College Dublin, where is currently undertaking a Masters in Scríobh agus Cumarsáid na Gaeilge. Kate has been working as an Irish tutor to undergraduate students in both grammar and conversation classes while completing her Master's degree.

    With a passion for the Irish language and Traditional Music, Kate has held positions on the committees of both An Cumann Gaelach, and UCD TradSoc. She was also elected to the executive of UCD Student’s Union in the position of Oifigeach na Gaeilge. A current player with Dublin’s first Irish language GAA club, Na Gaeil Óga, Kate is an avid Gaelic football and camogie player, as well as a passionate musician.

    Kate is looking forward to sharing her love for the Irish language and culture in her position as an Irish FLTA at The University of Notre Dame.
  5. Nazgul Kadyrova

    Nazgul Kadyrova

    Russian (Kyrgyzstan)

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    Nazgul Kadyrova

    Nazgul Kadyrova

    Russian (Kyrgyzstan)

    Nazgul is from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. She works as a program specialist at the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, where she coordinates educational projects and events. She also teaches English online to children and facilitates a Children's Rights Book and Cinema Club as part of a broader children's rights project that encourages young people to explore human rights through literature, films, and discussion.

    Outside of work, Nazgul enjoys reading, traveling, and photography. Capturing people, places, and everyday moments through her camera is one of her favorite creative hobbies.
  6. Paula Radnitz

    Paula Radnitz

    German (Germany)

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    Paula Radnitz

    Paula Radnitz

    German (Germany)

    Paula is a master's student at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt in Bavaria, Germany. Her research interests focus on literary memory studies and cultural and literary animal studies. She is especially looking forward to gaining insights into new subject areas and, above all, to discovering a new side of her native language by teaching this year at at Notre Dame.
  7. Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan)

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    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Tien-Yun "Sharon" Yeh

    Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan)

    Sharon is from Taitung, a stunning coastal town on the beautiful island of Taiwan. She is passionate about Chinese language pedagogy and intercultural communication. For her, it is genuinely fulfilling to guide students through the nuances of Mandarin and watch their confidence grow. At Notre Dame, I am eager to advance my teaching practice, support students on their language-learning journeys, and foster vibrant cultural exchanges across campus.

    Beyond the classroom, she holds a bachelor’s degree in food science. Cooking and baking are two of her greatest passions, and she cannot wait to share the authentic flavors and warmth of Taiwanese cuisine with the ND community!

Student Employees

  1. A young man wearing a white button down shirt. He is looking at the camera and smiling with his arms crossed. He has wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes.

    Andre Archilha Anhesini Souza

    Class of 2028

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    A young man wearing a white button down shirt. He is looking at the camera and smiling with his arms crossed. He has wavy brown hair and dark brown eyes.

    Andre Archilha Anhesini Souza

    Class of 2028

    Andre was born and raised in Brazil and is participating in the Globally Engaged Citizen Program. He plans to study abroad in Rome. He is currently enrolled in the Italian Intensive course, which continues to fuel his passion for languages and cultures. Learning Italian has helped him appreciate how language connects people and traditions. He is excited to keep exploring new ways to engage with the world through cultural exchange.
  2. Young man with dark hair and wearing a dark shirt. He is smiling and looking directly into the camera.

    Josue Rodriguez

    Class of 2028

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    Young man with dark hair and wearing a dark shirt. He is smiling and looking directly into the camera.

    Josue Rodriguez

    Class of 2028

    Josue is a native Spanish speaker from Los Angeles, California, majoring in Political science and minoring in Portuguese and Latino Studies. He has a deep interest in Brazilian culture and has participated in the Summer Language Abroad program, where he studied in Brazil.
  3. A smiling male graduate with short, dark brown hair wearing a black cap, gown, yellow tie, and blue stole with yellow trim, with Notre Dame's Main Building behind.

    Justin Aguiar

    Graduate Student

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    A smiling male graduate with short, dark brown hair wearing a black cap, gown, yellow tie, and blue stole with yellow trim, with Notre Dame's Main Building behind.

    Justin Aguiar

    Graduate Student

    Justin has been working at the CSLC since fall 2022 and has served as the the CSLC's Lead Student Assistant since February 2025. He completed his undergraduate degree, a Bachelors of Business Administration, in May 2026, majoring in Marketing and Political Science.

    Justin is passionate about media creation and production as well as interested in pursuing law in the future. Growing up bilingual in English and Spanish, he is passionate about showcasing different cultures and experiences. Justin has enjoyed working on promotional materials for the Center, language showcase reels and videos, and other projects.

     
  4. Lewawit Hordofa

    Lewawit Hordofa

    Class of 2027

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    Lewawit Hordofa

    Lewawit Hordofa

    Class of 2027

    Lewawit Hordofa is interested in exploring diplomacy and education development in East Africa, particularly Ethiopia, as well as the regional dynamics of the Middle East, with an emphasis on understanding how these factors influence foreign policy and development initiatives.

     
  5. Young woman with long brown hair, blue-green eyes, gentle smile, in a black sleeveless top, gold hoop earrings, and cross necklace.

    Sarah Carroll

    Class of 2029

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    Young woman with long brown hair, blue-green eyes, gentle smile, in a black sleeveless top, gold hoop earrings, and cross necklace.

    Sarah Carroll

    Class of 2029

    Sarah is studying International Economics and Spanish with minors in Portuguese and Brazilian Studies and the Glynn Family Honors Program. She is especially passionate about language learning pedagogy and endangered language revitalization. She is so excited to immerse herself in the all the opportunities available at the CSLC and connect with those who share the same passion for language!
  6. Young man with dark curly hair and a bright smile, wearing a light blue striped shirt and navy suit jacket, by a window.

    Thano Fefles

    Class of 2029

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    Young man with dark curly hair and a bright smile, wearing a light blue striped shirt and navy suit jacket, by a window.

    Thano Fefles

    Class of 2029

    Thano is a Global Affairs & German major, and a Business & European Studies minor.  He is from the suburbs of Chicago. He has achieved working profiency in German, and looks forward to deepening his experience with the world's cultures at the CSLC.
  7. Thea Haimari

    Thea Haimari

    Class of 2028

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    Thea Haimari

    Thea Haimari

    Class of 2028

    Thea Haimari is Lebanese international student with permanent residence in Dubai. She speaks four languages fluently: Arabic, English, French and Spanish. Growing up multilingual has shaped how she sees the world. For Thea, exploring new cultures isn’t just something she enjoys; it’s something she sees as essential to personal and intellectual growth.