Kirmser Language Center

TBA

Thaddaeus Blakley
Chinese Minor and Conservation Biology Major

I’ve been studying Mandarin Chinese for three years. After I graduate, I hope to teach English for a year in China. I love solo travel and exploring other cultures and countries.

Ellie Allen
English major | Classical Studies minor

I have always had a passion for all things language, literature, and culture. Studying Latin has given me a stronger command of the English language, fascinating insights into history, and a deeper appreciation for the nature of language itself. While Latin is not spoken today, it still maintains its relevance to understanding the world in which we live. I hope to support and encourage new Latin learners on their journey to the ancient world!

Allie Cloyd
Environmental Science and French majors | International Studies secondary major | Agronomy minor

I always loved to travel and been interested in learning French! I have been taking French classes since high school and got the chance to study in Pau, France during summer 2025. I love discussing different cultures and am excited to help others learn!

Aidan Hershberger
Civil Engineering & French Major

French has been apart of my life for 16 years, and I have seen a great benefit from learning the second language. It opens a vast number of doors for me and my friends and family. As the world becomes more and more connected we should all learn a second language.

Ara Lofgren
Adverting & Public Relations and French major | Marketing minor

French has been my favorite subject since junior high, and I truly love the language and culture. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Pau, France, where I was completely immersed in the culture, attended a French university, and even completed an internship with a French textile company. Learning a foreign language has shaped the person I am today, and I hope to share my passion with many others!

Peyton Ott
French with a minor in Math

I’ve been learning French since I was five, and in college my French classes have been my favorite. Knowing French gives me a great way to connect with locals when I travel abroad to francophone countries! It also gives me the opportunity to potentially go teach abroad. I hope to be as helpful as possible to newer French learners and make the process of learning a little bit more enjoyable!

Fern Schrotberger
History and French Major | Political Science Minor

Studying French has always been an integral part of my education and it has stayed my favorite class because of how fun and engaging learning a language is! French has opened many doors for me such as traveling abroad and making amazing memories. I hope to be able to make learning French just as exciting as it has been for me!

Lily Andresen
Environmental Science and German majors | International Studies secondary major

I have always had the desire to study basically everything, and German is especially important because my grandmother is German. Over this summer I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Berlin and in Lutherstadt Wittenberg at the Institut für Deutsche Sprache und Kultur. I’m excited to help others!

Sophia Silence
Political Science and International Studies secondary major | German Minor

As a military child, I’ve lived around the world, but Germany remains my favorite place thanks to my family ties and the years I’ve lived there. I love exploring different places and cultures while improving my German. I hope to share my excitement with you about the language and culture!

Kyler Vandorn
Accounting major | Japanese minor

Language learning is fascinating to me, and ever since I started Japanese it has been a major hobby of mine. I began to learn a language so I could have more job opportunities, and I chose Japanese because of its difficulty and how different it is from English. However, after immersing in the language and having had multiple opportunities to study abroad in Japan I have fallen in love with the culture as well. I love teaching others when I can and I am excited to help!

Thaddaeus Blakley
Chinese Minor and Conservation Biology Major

I’ve been studying Mandarin Chinese for three years. After I graduate, I hope to teach English for a year in China. I love solo travel and exploring other cultures and countries.

Emma Hamilton
Agronomy, Entomology, Global Food Systems Leadership, and Spanish Majors
International Agriculture Minor

I grew up in a community of migrant workers in Wisconsin who come from various parts of Latin America, which inspired me to learn Spanish to be able to communicate with them. I love getting the opportunity to use my Spanish skills and I’ve had the opportunity to travel to 6 different Latin American countries (and Puerto Rico) and already have plans to visit more!

Annie Moss
Agronomy and Spanish with a minor in International Agriculture

For the past 10 years I have been studying Spanish which has led to amazing opportunities. I have been abroad in Latin America multiple times, most recently for a semester long internship in Mexico! In the future, I would love to live and work in Latin America. I want to help you feel more comfortable learning Spanish and enjoy the process!

Julie Peterson
Spanish Major/English Major

Spanish has always been a big part of my life. When I was 5, I was placed in an immersion program. I hated learning Spanish at first; it was hard. But now I couldn't imagine my life without it. Spanish and English have made me who I am today. I wouldn't be here without it.

Ashlyn Simonson
Environmental Science major, Spanish and Nonprofit Leadership minors

I study Spanish because of my passion for learning about new languages and cultures, which was cultivated by having an amazing high school Spanish teacher. Studying Spanish has allowed me to get my Seal of Biliteracy, become a World Language Scholar, and hopefully study abroad next summer in Costa Rica! I hope to work in the National Park Service or an environmental nonprofit in the future, and speaking Spanish will be useful in both of those fields.