![An instructor of World Languages and Cultures having a discussion with her peers.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/unit-image/D73201_022.jpg?itok=x7qhTRzl)
Department of World Languages and Cultures News
The Department of World Language and Cultures emphasizes linguistic, cultural, and critical skills to give students the foundation needed to understand other cultures. These essential skills enable our graduates to pursue a wide range of careers in an increasingly global environment.
Current World Languages and Cultures News
![mourners laying flowers in front of photos at vigil](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Flowers_BSS2264.jpeg?itok=AERgwKGC)
A vigil honored Patricia Navarro Velez, Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, and Naoko Takemaru, who were killed in a campus shooting Dec. 6.
![framed photo of woman at vigil](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Naoko%20Takemaru%20D75305_026.jpeg?itok=jOzBkqCZ)
The Japanese studies professor inspired students with her high standards and kind approach.
![collage of portraits of a man and two women](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/media/image/2023-12/Chang_Navarro_Takemaru.jpeg?itok=0ztzeywY)
Community support will fund future scholarships in accounting, information systems, and Japanese studies.
![Graduates seated in red caps and gown during a previous UNLV commencement](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D73082_099_NC.jpeg?itok=muTSb_w2)
An enduring commencement tradition continues this spring as UNLV president honors seven outstanding students who exemplify the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
![portrait of woman](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Elena%20Gandia%20Garcia.jpg?itok=mkpxQj5F)
Professor Elena Gandía García created a service-learning class to address the need for medical interpretation services for the Lied Pediatric Clinic and served as a mentor to colleagues.
![Deborah Arteaga headshot](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Arteaga_D70174_34.jpg?itok=jhz7D3s2)
UNLV Spanish professor Deborah Arteaga volunteers to provide valuable medical interpretation services to under-served patients.
World Languages and Cultures In The News
![Las Vegas Review Journal](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/las-vegas-review-journal.jpg?itok=IX9YBkgU)
It’s a celebration that involves wearing costumes, visiting cemeteries, honoring departed loved ones and thinking about death on an occasion when, some believe, the boundary that separates our world from the next weakens.
![Las Vegas Sun](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/las-vegas-sun.png?itok=zYEkDFQm)
Las Vegas is now the fastest-warming city in the United States.
![El Tiempo](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/el_tiempo.png?itok=EnZV_MzC)
José Iván Cervantes came to Las Vegas as a freshman in high school, amazed to be in “one of the most important cities in the United States,” and he hardly speaks English. Now ready to graduate, he also advocates for his school, which has faced uncertainty as the Clark County School District considers changes to the way English Learners are taught.
![Las Vegas Review Journal](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/las-vegas-review-journal.jpg?itok=IX9YBkgU)
Jose Ivan Cervantes arrived in Las Vegas as a high school freshman, speaking almost no English. Now poised to graduate, he’s also advocating for his school, which has faced uncertainty as the Clark County School District considers changes to how English learner students are taught.
![Las Vegas Sun](/sites/default/files/styles/100_width_25_height/public/news_source/logo/las-vegas-sun.png?itok=zYEkDFQm)
Last week, readers of the Sun got a treat in being introduced to Adugna “Adu” Siweya, one of the Las Vegas Valley’s outstanding college graduates this spring. Inspirational stories Siweya's make college graduation season a special time in Las Vegas, an annual reminder of the remarkable minds in our community, and the commitment of students to academic achievement.
A handful of UNLV master's students in Hispanic Studies have been accepted to top doctoral programs over the past two years, including the University of Virginia, UCLA, University of Alabama, University of Chicago, and the University of Kansas.