Major Product/SVS:
Higher education, including instruction in English as a Second Language, literature and business English
Favorite Business Publication:
All Academic Journals
Hobbies/Sports:
Handcrafting; Listening to music; Designing choreographs; Crocheting; Watching movies; Reading; Writing; Spending time with her son
Education Degrees:
Pursuing Ph.D. in Anglophone Caribbean Literature; Master of Arts in English, with a Concentration in 19th Century British Literature, University of Puerto Rico (1995); Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey (1987)
Affiliations Awards:
PRTESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages); TESOL International Association; Golden Key International Honour Society; Cambridge Who's Who; Asociacion de Profesores Puertorriquenos Universitarios
Work History:
University of Puerto Rico at Carolina (2003-present); University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (1999-2003); University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras (1990-1995); Bonneville Bilingual School (1994-1998); Christian Day School (1993-94); Colegio Catolico de Caguas (1987-88)
Career Achievements:
Founder, English Department's Annual Literary Contests of the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina; Editor-in-Chief of Deanship of Academic Affairs' Newsletter, Decanologo (2010-Present); Former Founder and Editor-in-Chief, English Department's Former Newsletter, Academic Voices (2008-2010); Recipient, Academia-Related Awards; Successful Direction and Production of Plays: "The Merry Wives of Windsor", "Antony and Cleopatra" and "La Vida y Martirio de Santa Cecilia"
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlight of her career was having the talent to engage and motivate students to participate actively in class activities and the leadership abilities to create and implement new programs and projects.
Charity:
Santa Cecilia Church Community; National Kidney Foundation; American Cancer Society
Number Of Years In Profession:
23
Number Of Years In Current Position:
8
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to the support she receives from her parents, relatives and close friends.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession because of her genuine vocation for academic endeavors, and her family background of teachers.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. López-Vallés published two books of short stories: "Stories from Here and There" (2006) and "Seasoned Stories with Sabor" (2009). She has published articles and poems in literary journals such as "Tonguas" from the UPR-Rio Piedras, "Carolina: Humanismo y Technologia" from the UPR-Carolina, "Revista de Estudios Generales" from the UPR-Rio Piedras, "PRTESOL-GRAM" from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and "Anansi's Defiant Webs" from the University of Curacao. She has been working at the University of Puerto Rico at Carolina since 2003. She has received various certificates and awards of excellence and several congratulatory letters from the academic senate. She has also directed and produced plays for the academia as well as for her church community.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Teaching all levels of English to ESL students; Having active participation in committees; Serving as the Master of Ceremony for the English department's annual literary contests; Editing of the newsletter (Decanologo) for the Deanship of Academic Affairs of the UPR-Carolina; Handling the organization and presentation of workshops for teachers of advanced English at the secondary level; Lecturing on Caribbean literary studies abroad
Awards/Honors:
Award, PRTESOL Travel Grant to Attend the TESOL International Convention in Philadelphia in 2012, San Juan, Puerto Rico (2011); Recognized, Certificate of University of Puerto Rico Chapter, Golden Key International Honour Society for Winning the Pillars of Excellence Award (2011); Recipient, Pillars of Excellence Award of $5,000 U.S., Golden Key International Honour Society (2011); Recipient, PRTESOL Scholarship Grant for Continuing Doctoral Studies, $300.00 Award, 37th Annual PRTESOL Convention, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (2010); Honorable Mention for Short Story Contest, Story Writing Competition for Publicaciones Puertorriqueñas, Sacred Heart University, Santurce, Puerto Rico (2010); Selected Participant, New York University’s Faculty Resource Network Summer Seminars (2006-2010); Lifetime Member, Cambridge Who's Who (2009); Certificate of Membership, Golden Key International Honour Society (2009); Certificate of Leadership, Outstanding Achievement and Successful Allocation of Funds of the Annual Literary Contests, English Department, UPR-Carolina (2005-2008); Plaque of Recognition, for "Dedication and Support to Conversational English Course," Department of Continued Studies, UPR-Carolina (2004); Congratulatory Letter, for Presiding over the Celebration of the 10th Annual Conference of the Roundtable Committee, Academic Senate, English Department, UPR-Humacao (2003); Congratulatory Letter, for Adapting and Directing the Shakespearean play, “Antony and Cleopatra,” Academic Senate, English Department, UPR-Humacao (2003); Certificate for Outstanding Support and Dedication to the Success of English Week, English Department, UPR-Humacao (2002); Certificate of Excellence, 16th Annual Linguistic Roundtable, English Department, UPR-Humacao (2001)
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. López-Vallés hopes to continue growing professionally, publishing poems, short stories and articles of educational/social interest. She hopes to have completed a Ph.D. and to continue giving conferences abroad. She wishes to become a tenured faculty member in a reputable institution that recognizes her worth. She sees herself making a difference by providing service to her community.