CCU Languages & Intercultural Studies

10/29/2026

Italian Trivia Night:
You’re invited! Join us for an Italian Trivia Night open to the entire CCU community. Come celebrate Italian language and culture with us. 🇮🇹

Italian Club Survey:
Interested in Italian language and culture? Complete our quick survey and help us shape a future Italian Club at CCU! 🇮🇹 Open to everyone.

10/29/2026

Приходите на Русский Клуб!
Russian Club is a great way to learn about the rich culture of the Russian-speaking world and meet other students interested in Russian and Eurasian Studies. Everyone is welcome! You’ll get a chance to practice Russian if you want, but it is not a requirement. До встречи! CCU Russian Club

07/25/2026

🎄☀️ Christmas in July? More like another day for Dr. Merfeld to remind us she's built different. 🏃‍♀️🔥

It's a Saturday morning in July... hot, humid, with storms rolling through. Most people were still trying to locate the coffee maker. ☕😴 Not our LIS athletes. They were already out there representing the team. 💙💪

🥉 Dr. Merfeld did it AGAIN! Another podium finish, taking 3rd place in her age group... because at this point, we're convinced she owns permanent real estate on the podium. 🏆👏

As if that wasn't enough, she also crushed a new personal record! Every race she gets faster, stronger, and more determined. She doesn't just show up, she shows everyone how it's done. Consistency, discipline, and heart... that's Dr. Merfeld. We couldn't be prouder! 🔥👏💙

Dr. Beltran also ran her fastest 5K yet! 🎉 We'll just quietly celebrate it without mentioning the actual time... let's not embarrass her. 😂 Big congratulations to these two legends! 🔥

Now for the biggest mystery of the morning... 🕵️‍♂️🎅

🚨 Where was Profe Javi?! 🚨
Was he still unwrapping presents? 🎁
Helping Rudolph warm up for December? 🦌
Or did he see two PRs on the start list and decide today wasn't his day? 😂👀

We're starting to get concerned... 👇 Drop your best theories in the comments because is officially underway! 😂

07/15/2026

✨ Where in the world is Dr. Alekseyenko? ✈️

This time... Moscow, Russia! 🇷🇺❤️

Dr. Alekseyenko and her family traded their everyday routine for a little adventure, and yes, they even became матрёшка (matryoshka) dolls. 🪆😂 Because when in Russia...

The trip included a meaningful stop at the beautiful Russian Orthodox church just across the street from the apartment where she grew up. With its golden onion domes and stunning architecture, it was the perfect place to revisit childhood memories. ✨⛪

She also took in breathtaking views of the heart of Moscow from the observation deck at the Cathedral of Christ the Savior before making the obligatory stop at the iconic Red Square. 📸❤️

History, family, beautiful views, and a little matryoshka magic? Sounds like the perfect Moscow adventure.

Stick around to see where other LIS faculty members are traveling this summer... you never know where they'll pop up next! 🌎✈️

06/26/2026

🇩🇪✨ Berlin: Through the Lens was more than a study abroad program... it was an unforgettable journey of learning, discovery, creativity, and connection!

This summer, 19 CCU students explored Berlin with an amazing team of faculty leaders:
🎬 Dr. Alex Hogue, who taught LIS 404: Berlin: Cinema and the City
🌍 Frau Simone Boissonnault, who led LIS 122: Introduction to Intercultural Studies
📸 Photo Dave, who taught VPA 103:Topics in Fine Arts and ARTS 364: Documentary Photography

Together, they immersed students in Berlin's history, art, architecture, cinema, and contemporary culture while helping them become more confident international travelers and global citizens.

Along the way, they experienced:
🚶 9 walking and museum history tours
🖼️ 7 art museums and collections
🍽️ 2 group dinners
🎭 A silent film with a live orchestra
🎨 A street art workshop
🥙 An infinite number of döner kebabs
📷 Tens of thousands of photographs
💙 Countless unforgettable memories

One of the highlights of the program was watching students step outside their comfort zones, ask thoughtful questions, embrace new perspectives, and grow through every experience.

The journey doesn't end in Berlin! This fall, the students' work will be featured in a photography exhibition in the EHFA 164 Gallery, showcasing the city through their own unique lenses.

A huge thank you to Dr. Hogue, Frau Simone, and Photo Dave, for leading such an incredible experience, and congratulations to our students for making the most of every moment. 🌍✈️

Photo credit:

06/13/2026

🏃‍♀️☀️ Summer Saturdays are no match for LIS faculty!

While most people were enjoying a relaxing weekend, our LIS crew was out collecting miles, medals, and bragging rights at the Ed Petrowski's Hurricane Hustle race on campus! 💨

Profe Javi and Dr. Merfeld fearlessly took on the 10K, while Dr. Beltrán wisely chose the 5K. Some might say she wasn't quite ready for the level of bravery, daring, and questionable decision-making required to voluntarily run 10 kilometers on a hot summer morning. 😆🏃‍♀️

As for Dr. Merfeld... where do we even begin? 🤩

She wears more hats than seems scientifically possible: Chair, Professor, mentor, organizer, chef extraordinaire, problem-solver-in-chief, Pink Queen on Wednesdays, and now apparently an award-winning elite athlete. At this rate, we're expecting to see her qualify for the Olympics, publish a book on leadership, cater the victory banquet, and still answer emails before breakfast. 🏅📚👩‍🍳

Not content with simply finishing the 10K, Dr. Merfeld claimed 2nd place in her age group, earning an extra medal and a trip to the podium. Some people collect accomplishments; Dr. Merfeld seems to collect entire categories of accomplishments. 🥈🏆

Congratulations to our LIS runners for representing us so well! 💙💛

05/13/2026

05/13/2026

Big moment for Profe Javi 🎉🇪🇸

Honored to be featured in Coastal Carolina University magazine for building community through Spanish, culture, and connection ❤️

From classroom conversations to cultural events across campus, this journey has always been about bringing people together, celebrating language, and creating spaces where students feel seen, welcomed, and inspired.

Gracias to all the students, colleagues, and friends who make these moments possible 💫

05/09/2026

🎓🎉 Tassels turned, diplomas earned, and faculty fun at an all-time high! What an incredible week celebrating our graduates at commencement! 💙✨

Between the cheers, the photos, and the unforgettable moments, our faculty had the BEST time celebrating the amazing Class of 2026. We loved being part of such a special milestone and soaking in all the excitement right alongside our grads! 👏🎓

🔍 Commencement photo scavenger hunt:
👀 Dr. Merfeld is hidden in one of the photos… can you find her?
💧 Dr. Beltran was spotted protecting the most important graduation accessory: a glass of water. Hydration = success, right? 😄
🎨 And don’t miss the faculty photo that somehow ended up looking like a Picasso painting, extra credit if you can identify everyone! 😂

Let the games begin 😄⬇️

05/06/2026

Last Thursday we gathered for one of our favorite traditions: the LIS Awards Ceremony 🎉

We celebrated the outstanding students across our majors and minors (yes, the overachievers were out in full force 👏), and honestly, we’re still impressed. We also recognized our amazing language tutors and student workers, the real MVPs who somehow juggle everything, answer everyone’s questions, and still make it look easy 😄.

We also had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Dr. Pamela Martin as our keynote speaker, who shared her inspiring journey as a bilingual professional between the U.S. and Ecuador 🌎 Her story reminded us why language, culture, and connection matter so much.

Great students, meaningful conversations, and a room full of talent… not a bad way to spend a Thursday.

Best Major in LIS (Hispanic Studies Concentration): Mayari Casandra Rodas
Best Major in LIS (Multiple Languages Concentration): Yaneekwah Hart
Best Minor in Chinese: Mackenzie Shifflet
Best Minor in French: Lyndsey K. Gilbert
Best Minor in German: Alyssa Stone
Best Minor in LIS: Lauren Leatherman
Best Minor in Spanish: Kiley Sweeney
Best Minor in Spanish for the Health Professions: Julia Rotunda
Best Student in Arabic: Caleb Hitt
Best Student in Italian: Rachel Skinner
Best Student in Russian: Matthew L. Petersen
Outstanding Student – Graduate Certificate in Spanish for Healthcare and Social Services Professions: Katie Rea
Student Engagement Award: Morgan Stum