Maribel Bird

Associate Professor
World Languages and Cultures
608-796-3491
mvbird@viterbo.edu 
 

Education: 

• B.A. in Spanish Literature, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan
• M.L.A. University of Puerto Rico, San Juan
• M.E.P.D. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
• Ph.D. in Adult Education, Capella University
   

 Courses Taught: 

• Elementary Spanish
• Intermediate Spanish
• Reading for Speed and Comprehension
• Conversation and Grammar
• Advanced Composition
• Spanish for Social Work
• U.S. Hispanic Cultures
• Latin American Civilization
• Literature of Spanish America
• Culture Studies in Mexico
• Contemporary Issues in the Spanish Speaking World
   

Scholarly Presentations: 

• April 2011. "Global Partnerships in the Coulee Region: Research and Service Learning for Community Interpreters in Training." Panel presentation at the Citizenship and Community: La Crosse Area Latina/o Collaborative (LALAC) Workshop on Teaching, Service and Research. University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
• April 2011. "Teaching Culture in the Language Classroom." Panel presentation at the spring faculty development workshop: Teaching and Learning Frameworks: Sharing disciplinary perspectives. Viterbo University
• May 2011. "The La Crosse-Nicaragua Connection: Interpreting Opportunities for Viterbo Students" Panel presentation at the First Year Cohort Community Interpreting Celebration.Viterbo University, La Crosse
• August 2010. "Teaching Issues of Social Justice through a Latin American Studies Minor." Rouge Forum Conference: Education in the Public Interest: Teaching and Learning for a Democratic Society. George Williams College, Aurora University Williams Bay, Wis.
• April 2010. "Student Perspectives on Learning in Latin American Studies Courses." Panel Presentation, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) Conference, Viterbo University
• April 2010. Panel moderator for "Teaching Human Rights", CLACS Conference, Viterbo University
• 2008. "Practical Suggestions for the Incorporation of Social Justice Issues in the Curriculum." WCSWE Spring Conference. Wisconsin Dells
• 2007. "Nature’s Constitutional Rights in Ecuador," Panel presentation at the Humanities Symposium, Immigrants and Refugees, Viterbo University
• 2007. Panel moderator for "Latin America Immigration Issues," Immigrants and Refugees, Humanities Symposium, Viterbo University
 

Community Involvement:  

• November 2011. "New Immigration Legislation in the USA." Presentation, Amnesty International, La Crosse Chapter
• June 2011. Consultant for La Crosse County on Diversity workshop planning
• February 2010. "Women of Atenco." Presentation, Amnesty International, La Crosse Chapter
• February 2010. La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, Fundraiser participant as Conductor Wannabe
• 2009- La Crosse Multicultural Resource Guide, diversity consultant
• May 2009. Mentor for Matthew Kotek, West Salem Senior Exit Project
• November 2009. "The Coup in Honduras." Presentation, Amnesty International, La Crosse Chapter
• 2008. "Hispanic/Latino Cultures." Panel Presentation, Staff Development Lunch. Gundersen Lutheran. La Crosse       
 

Workshop Presenter: 

• May, 2011. "Cultural Competence for Community-Health." Question and Answer presentation for a public health research team traveling to Nicaragua
• August, 2010. "Diversity Training for Incoming Freshmen." Viterbo University, La Crosse
• August, 2010. "Diversity Training for Resident Assistants." Viterbo University, La Crosse
• January, 2010. "Diversity Training for Law Enforcement Officers." Onalaska
• 2005. "Introduction to Diversity Training: A Two-Hour Workshop for Community Leaders." Sparta
• 2005. "Diversity Training for Health Care Providers." Skemp Clinic, Sparta
     

Committee Memberships:

• 2012- Diversity Task Force
• 2011- Social Work Search Committee
• 2010- Seminar II
• 2009- Education Committee
• 2008-09- Board of Review
• 2008- La Crosse Health Care Consortium, Cultural Competence Committee
• 2006- Latin American Studies Committee
• 2000- Amnesty International, La Crosse Chapter
 

Advisor:

• 2010- Spanish Club
• 2004- Student Organization Advocating for Human Rights
 

Awards: 

• November 2011. YWCA, Outstanding Woman in Education
• September 2011. Departmental grant recipient to bring speaker Patrick Muriethi to Viterbo
• April 2010. Faculty Development International Grant recipient
• 2006. Title VI Grant Recipient
 

Trips 

• 2010.  Service trip to Nicaragua with Gundersen Lutheran and Global Partners
• 2008.  Ecuador to explore study-abroad possibilities for Viterbo students
• 2007.  Educational trip to Cuba
• 2007.  Cultural trip to Peru
• 2006.  Educational trip to México with Viterbo students
  

Publications: 

• Bird, M.V. (2011). Exposing cultural bias in the classroom: Self-evaluation as a catalyst for transformation. Analytic Teaching and Philosophical Praxi, 32, 18-21
• La Crosse Health Care Consortium, Cultural Competency Committee (2009). "Cultural Competency Online Learning Modules." La Crosse, Wis.
• Bird, M.V. (2008). Effectiveness of Diversity Courses from the Perspective of Students and Faculty: A Case Study. Dissertation Abstracts International, 69 (01). (UMI No. 3296769)     
• Bird, M.V. (1995). Examining Curriculum Theory to Create Meaningful Curriculum Experiences for Middle Level Students. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse