Dr. Anne Connor
Director – Summer Language Institute for Spanish Teachers; Professor – Spanish
PhD, Vanderbilt University, 2004; MA, Vanderbilt University, 1998; BA, Brown University, 1994
Dr. Connor is particularly interested in Contemporary Latin American Literature and Film, Afro-diaspora in Latin America, including AfroMexican History and Culture, U.S. Latinx Literature and Culture, Women Writers of Latin America, and Music and Culture of Latin America. During the summer, Dr. Connor also directs the Summer Language Institute for Spanish Teachers MA program in Guanajuato, Mexico.
Office: Central Hall 104
Phone: 541.552.6743
E-Mail: connora@sou.edu
Dr. Bonnie Holmes
Lead – Spanish and ASL; Associate Professor – Spanish
PhD, University of Arizona, 2017; MA, Pennsylvania State University, 2010; MA, Middlebury College, Madrid, Spain, 2006; BA, Oregon State University, 2001
Dr. Bonnie Christina Holmes is Associate Professor of Spanish. Dr. Holmes is an applied linguist whose work centers on Spanish language acquisition and bilingualism in the US. Her recent research investigates how Spanish is processed cognitively by heritage bilinguals, and how high impact practices such as service learning can enrich the language learning experience while also strengthening the community. More generally, her overarching goal is to support Spanish language acquisition, maintenance and revitalization efforts both locally and nationally.
Office: Central Hall 106
Phone: 541.552.6814
E-Mail: holmesb2@sou.edu
Raquel Amezquita
Instructor – American Sign Language (ASL)
BS, Mathematics, Health & Physical Education,Southern Oregon University
Rocky grew up in San Jose, California where her love for ASL began in 2015. She has three years experience of instructing students one-on-one under the mentorship of Steve Wasserman at SOU.She has over a decade of teaching experience in martial arts, rock climbing, and other outdoor sports. She revived the ASL club and spearheaded over a dozen Deaf Climb Nights at SOU’s Climbing Center, connecting students to the Deaf community in the Rogue Valley. She is excited to bring her passions to her role as instructor at SOU, combining disciplines like mathematics, kinesiology, and the outdoors.
Office: Central Hall 110
Phone: 541.552.6435
E-Mail: amezquitr@sou.edu
Francisco López Atanes
Instructor – Spanish
PhD, JD, Universidad CEU San Pablo
Dr. Francisco López Atanes has dedicated the past 15 years to teaching Spanish at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. As a native Spanish speaker, Dr. López Atanes is passionate about sharing the rich literary and cultural traditions of Latin America and Spain. This passion serves as the guiding force behind his instruction and inspires his commitment to helping students develop both linguistic proficiency and cultural understanding. His goal is to create an immersive environment that brings language and culture to life, even within the classroom setting. In addition to teaching at Southern Oregon University (SOU), Dr. López Atanes currently serves as Principal of Ashland High School.
E-Mail: lopezataf@sou.edu
María Lumbreras Garza
Instructor – Spanish
MAT, Southern Oregon University
María Lumbreras Garza was born in Mexico and has lived in the Rogue Valley since 1992. She attended college in Mexico, and received two Bachelor’s Degrees in Education. She holds an MA in Teaching from SOU, and has over 25 years of experience teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language.
E-Mail: lumbrerasgarzamaria@sou.edu
Elizabeth Scheppler
Instructor – American Sign Language (ASL)
BA, Theatre Arts, Texas Wesleyan University, 1993; AAS, Interpreting for the Deaf, Tarrant County College, 2001
Elizabeth Scheppler grew up in Texas where she met her Deaf “Soul Sister” at the age of 14. Her experience volunteering in the Deaf/Deaf-Blind Community in Dallas/Fort Worth, and in the Interpreter Training Program prepared her to enter the profession of ASL/English Interpreting. She has worked in a variety of interpreting settings, including education, health, professional, performing arts, as well as video relay interpreting. Additionally, she created an ASL high school curriculum, and taught in high school for several years. Now she serves in SOU’s Disability Resources Department as Deaf/Hard of Hearing Coordinator, and teaches ASL 101-102. Elizabeth holds Board for Evaluation of Interpreter (BEI) Certification, Advanced.
Office: Central Hall 028
Phone: 541.552.7083
E-Mail: schepplee@sou.edu
Michele Smith
Instructor – American Sign Language (ASL)
MA, Special Education with an emphasis in Deaf Education, CSU Northridge; BA, Liberal Studies with a concentration in American Sign Language, CSU Northridge
Michele Smith is a Deaf American Sign Language educator who brings more than 25 years of teaching experience, authentic language use, and lived Deaf cultural perspective to the classroom. She is passionate about helping students experience ASL as a living language while developing meaningful connections with Deaf culture and the Deaf community. Michele has taught American Sign Language from beginning through advanced levels, using immersive, interactive, and visually engaging approaches that encourage students to communicate with confidence. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes learning by doing—using ASL actively, building cultural understanding, and creating an inclusive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and growing as language learners. Michele is ASLTA Qualified through the American Sign Language Teachers Association.
E-Mail: smithmichele@sou.edu
Emeritus Faculty
Dr. Gudrun Gill – gill@sou.edu
Dr. Marianne Golding – golding@sou.edu
Dr. Priscilla Hunter – hunter@sou.edu
Dr. Daniel Morris – morris@sou.edu
Yuko Yamanouchi – yamanouy@sou.edu
Lady Vanderlip – vanderll@sou.edu
Steve Wasserman – wassermas@sou.edu
Contact Spanish & American Sign Language
SOU Spanish & American Sign Language Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6743
– Questions About Spanish & American Sign Language? –