Alumni Updates
Jenifer Mejia Flores — Italian Major
Ciao, sono Jenifer! I earned my B.A. (Spring 2024) in Foreign Languages and Literatures (Italian) and International Studies with a concentration in East Asian Languages from the University of Florida. I recently completed my M.A. in Italian Studies at Florida State University.
During my graduate studies, I had the opportunity to develop research projects and present at academic conferences. My primary research interests include second language acquisition, translation studies, and comparative literature, with particular focus on the intersections between Latin American and Italian literary traditions.
In addition to my academic work, I served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Italian program in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics. Teaching and mentoring students from diverse backgrounds was one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of my graduate experience. Teaching Italian not only strengthened my knowledge of the language but also deepened my appreciation and understanding of Italian culture through interactions both inside and outside the classroom. One of my favorite memories was participating in a Dante reading marathon, during which students came together to read the entirety of the Inferno. Currently, I am preparing to continue my academic journey in law school, where I hope to combine my background in languages with my interest in the international dimensions of the legal field.
Leah Mazur — History Major, Italian Studies Minor
Hi! I graduated from UF in Spring 2025 with a degree in History, a Minor in Italian Studies, and Certification in teaching English as a Second Language. My Italian minor at UF had an immensely positive impact on my time there (UF in Rome, courses, friends) and on my experiences beyond undergrad (jobs, language skills, connections).
After graduation, I spent a semester teaching English in Darfo Boario Terme, where I had the opportunity to live with families, travel, and teach preschool, elementary, and middle school-aged children. I am currently pursuing a master’s at Harvard Graduate School of Education. My Italian Studies minor and teaching experience were a large part of my application to my graduate program. When I started at UF, I never would have imagined I would be able to complete a language-based minor, but it ended up being one of the best decisions I have made! Italian Studies has been a large part of shaping my future through my continuing education and the professors and friends who have guided me along the way. The knowledge, confidence, and, most importantly, the people that Italian Studies at UF granted me will always be an invaluable part of my life.
Janet Gomez — Italian Studies Alumna
When people ask me today what led me to a career in higher education and a Ph.D. in Italian, I always tell them it all started with the Italian program at the University of Florida!
Studying Italian has profoundly shaped both my academic journey and my professional life in ways I could never have anticipated when I first enrolled in an introductory language course as an undergraduate. What began as learning my fourth language and pursuing a minor in Italian at the University of Florida quickly developed into a lifelong passion for the language, literature, and culture, ultimately leading me to earn a Master’s degree at Florida State University and a Ph.D. in Italian at Johns Hopkins University, specializing in Medieval and Early Modern Italian literature.
The study of Italian opened far more than linguistic doors. It introduced me to centuries of intellectual, artistic, and cultural traditions that continue to shape how we understand the world today. My doctoral research explored representations of warrior women in Torquato Tasso, early modern women’s writings, and literary forgeries. Through that work, I strengthened my analytical thinking and learned the value of engaging deeply with diverse narratives and perspectives.
Professionally, my training in Italian has allowed me to build a career in higher education, where I remain committed to creating transformative learning experiences for students. Looking back, it is no surprise that I found my way into experiential learning. Studying a language is itself an experiential endeavor—one that requires immersion in a culture, its history, and its people. After all, Dante’s Commedia is itself a deeply experiential journey—for both the pilgrim and the reader. That philosophy continues to guide my work as Senior Director of Experiential Learning at NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study, where I help students design meaningful educational experiences beyond the classroom. I also continue to teach at NYU and Georgetown University and remain active in Italian Studies scholarship, including the publication of an article this year on Dante’s influence on the early modern writer Lucrezia Marinella.
Looking back, studying Italian at the University of Florida did much more than prepare me for a career—it fundamentally shaped the way I think, teach, and engage with the world. It led me to an interdisciplinary out-of-the-box career that bridges scholarship, teaching, and higher education leadership while giving me the opportunity to help students discover the same transformative power of learning that the University of Florida first inspired in me.
