Dr. Kelly Suero
Chair, Associate Professor of Spanish
Ph.D. Purdue University
M.A. Purdue University
B.A. Oklahoma State University
Dr. Kelly Suero is Chair, Associate Professor of Spanish, and Coordinator of Troy Online Spanish. She is the author of Technology and Gendered Genre Evolution in Latin America: Writers, Bloggers, Activists, and Floggers and “Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo: Breakthrough DNA Advances in the Fight for Human Rights,” which details her collaboration with the five-time Nobel Peace Prize-nominated group, Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo. Her other works include several articles and two Spanish-language textbooks, Nuestra Voz: An Introduction to the Spanish Language and ¡Aprendamos! Spanish for Beginners. Dr. Suero's research interests encompass Technology in Literature, Southern Cone Literature, Literary Genres, Human Rights, Latin American Politics and Policy, and Indigenous Studies. Alongside her scholarship, she has received the Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, a once-in-a-lifetime award nominated and voted on by students at Troy University. Dr. Suero is also an avid supporter and leader of study abroad programs; since her appointment at Troy, she has led programs to Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru.
Dr. Peter Howard
Professor of Classics
Ph.D. Florida State University
M.A. Florida State University
B.A. University of Alabama
Dr. Peter (Pete) Howard, Professor of Classics, has been a dedicated faculty member at Troy University since 1974, teaching English, Latin, Greek, German, and Classical Civilization. A prominent figure in the classical languages community, he has attended the American Classical League (ACL) Institute annually since 1988, chaired sessions, and published book reviews in Classical Outlook. He has served twice as president of both the Alabama Classical Association (ACA) and the Alabama Association of Foreign Language Teachers (AAFLT). Additionally, Dr. Howard has held leadership roles as the Chief Reader for the AP Latin exam and Chair of the SAT Latin committee. He has also served two terms as president of the American Classical League and is a member and director of the National Latin and Greek Teacher Placement Service for the ACL. As the director of the TSU Latin Outreach Institute, Dr. Howard has been instrumental in certifying over 30 Latin teachers for Alabama high schools. He also directed two immersion institutes for teachers of French, Latin, and Spanish in 2005 and 2006. Recognized as the Outstanding Young Man of Troy, AL, in 1983, Dr. Howard is a true Renaissance man who enjoys traveling and playing the French horn.
Dr. Johanna Alberich
Assistant Professor of Spanish
Ph.D. University of Alabama
M.A. Auburn University
B.S. Auburn University
Dr. Johanna Alberich, Assistant Professor of Spanish, specializes in 20th-century Caribbean Literature and Spanish Linguistics. Embracing interdisciplinary research, Dr. Alberich has published research with Troy University's nursing and library programs. Her fascination with comics and pop culture has significantly influenced her academic pursuits, leading her to deliver presentations on topics ranging from the Hispanic presence in the comic book industry to utilizing video games for language learning and integrating comics and pop culture into the language classroom. Dr. Alberich also served as editor for the popular independent comic book “Hamilton vs. Burr: A Werewolf Tale.” She finds immense fulfillment in cultural immersion, having many groups of college students abroad and facilitating the enrichment of over 200 students through trips to Costa Rica, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
Ms. Rachel Fournier
Lecturer of Spanish
M.A. Auburn University
B.A. Auburn University
Ms. Rachel Fournier serves as full-time lecturer of Spanish and has a dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding, second language acquisition, and the exploration of Mexican literature and culture. She has received the prestigious Faculty Senate award, a testament to her commitment to academic excellence. Her dedication extends beyond the confines of the classroom, as she advocates for promoting language learning and cross-cultural appreciation. Throughout her tenure at Troy University, Rachel has curated study abroad opportunities, guiding students on transformative journeys to Costa Rica, Spain, and Argentina, thereby broadening their perspectives and deepening their understanding of global cultures. Moreover, Rachel's post-graduate studies have equipped her with invaluable insights into adult-language acquisition, enhancing her abilities in online teaching and enabling her to effectively cater to the diverse needs of Troy's online student community.
Dr. Ekaterina (Katya) Kobeleva
Lecturer or English
Adjunct Instructor of Russian
Ph.D. Nizhniy Novgorod State Pedagogical University
M.ed. Troy University
M.A. Kirov State University
B.A. Kirov State University
Dr. Kobeleva serves as a Lecturer of English as well as an instructor of Russian, specializing in Western European Literature. Her research and teaching interests encompass World Literature, Literary Translation, Advanced Grammar, and Teaching English as a Second Language. As a native Russian speaker, she teaches Russian and Introduction to Russian Culture. She co-edited The Sea in the Literary Imagination: Global Perspectives (Cambridge Scholars, 2019) and Travel Letters from England, France, and Germany by Nikolai Gretsch in three volumes (Anthem Press, 2021). Dr. Kobeleva has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences and is a member of the Nineteenth-Century Studies Association and the South Atlantic Modern Language Association. Her current research focuses on translating Nikolai Gretsch's 1834 novel The Black Woman.
Mr. Barrett Heusch
Adjunct Instructor of Japanese
M.A. University of California, Berkeley
B.A. Pomona College
Mr. Heusch has been teaching Japanese language at Troy University for over ten years. He also teaches in the ESL (English as a Second Language) department and is the advisor for the Troy University Japan Club. Before Troy, he taught Japanese at George Washington University and as a graduate student instructor as well as English in Japan as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. While in graduate school, he spent a year conducting research at the National Institute of Japanese Literature in Tokyo on a Fulbright IIE Fellowship.
Mrs. Donna Brown
Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Donna Brown has been a dedicated member of the Troy University staff since 2008. She began her career in the Leadership Development Department, where she honed her administrative skills over nine years before transitioning to the Department of World Languages and Cultures in 2017. Mrs. Brown is highly skilled in managing the department's budget, coordinating meetings and appointments, and supervising student employees. With extensive experience in Excel, Datatel, and Microsoft Word, she efficiently handles adjunct and overload contracts, as well as the processing of invoices, requisitions, and purchase orders. Mrs. Brown's organizational expertise and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset to the department.