Cecília Rodrigues’s Vision for Portuguese at UGA Earns National Recognition

Cecília Rodrigues,Associate Professor of Portuguese in the Department of Romance Languages, has been awarded the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP) 2025 Excellence in Language Education Award. The prize this year recognized exceptional leadership in Portuguese language instruction, pedagogy, curriculum development, and the promotion of the study of this language in the US. This is a major national and interdisciplinary distinction, given that the competition was open to professors and instructors of Portuguese at all ranks and levels at over thirty universities. The award notification commended Dr. Rodrigues for her success in integrating Brazilian culture into the classroom through curricular interventions and virtual collaborations, noting the importance of Dr. Rodrigues’s work in expanding the Portuguese language program at the University of Georgia, as well as her leadership as the president of the American Portuguese Studies Association. 

In twenty years of exceptional dedication to Portuguese language education—at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Georgia—she has been a tireless innovator in teaching methods, an energetic program builder, and an extraordinarily effective mentor of students at both undergraduate and graduate levels. The impact of her teaching excellence is perhaps best reflected in student testimonials. As one student noted, “Professor Rodrigues has been one of the most compassionate, informed, and passionate professors.” Another emphasized how “her deep passion for poetry and prose... her enthusiasm and willingness to discuss the materials... has reminded me why I love reading.” These comments highlight not only her pedagogical expertise but also her ability to nurture student creativity rooted in high-order thinking and advanced language skills, while instilling a lasting appreciation for Portuguese language and culture. Her students have achieved remarkable success, securing Fulbright Fellowships, positions at prestigious universities, and internships with organizations such as Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the US Consulate. A doctoral student she mentored launched her career at Georgetown University, before moving to Brazil’s prestigious Federal University of Pernambuco. An undergraduate she mentored is now completing a doctorate at Brown University. 

In accepting this prestigious award, Dr. Rodrigues remarked, " I feel inspired and motivated to continue advancing Portuguese Studies in the US and abroad."