Adriana Pérez-Smith

Adriana Pérez-Smith is an instructor of Spanish in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. Her teaching and professional interests include Spanish language instruction, curriculum development, instructional design, translation, and proficiency-oriented pedagogy. Before joining Virginia Tech, she held faculty and academic leadership positions at Roanoke College and Texas A&M University, where she coordinated Spanish language programs, led curriculum development and assessment initiatives, and supported undergraduate education.

Before beginning her career as a Spanish educator, Pérez-Smith practiced law in Venezuela. Her interdisciplinary background informs her interest in the practical applications of language, particularly in legal and professional contexts. She has taught courses ranging from beginning and intermediate Spanish to Spanish Composition, Spanish Translation, and Spanish for the Legal Professions. She is particularly interested in developing innovative instructional materials and technology-enhanced language learning experiences that promote language proficiency and cultural engagement. She earned her M.A. in Spanish from the University of Wyoming and an LL.M. in Comparative and International Law from Southern Methodist University.