Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures

Faculty

Dr. Olaf Berwald

Chair

Watson Ambruster IV

Lecturer

Dr. Priya Ananth

Professor

Dr. Jun Da

Professor

Dr. Oscar Diaz-Ortiz

Professor

Dr. Leah Tolbert Lyons

Dean

Dr. Ayaka Matsuo

Assistant Professor

Dr. Theresa McBreen

Associate Professor

Dr. Ann McCullough

Associate Professor

Dr. Joan E. McRae

Professor

Dr. Richard E. Morris

Professor

Dr. Kari Neely

Associate Professor

Dr. Soraya Nogueira

Professor

Dr. Nuria Novella

Professor

Dr. Jason Lee Pettigrew

Associate Professor

Ryoko Poarch

Lecturer

Dr. Luciana Trindade Prestes

Associate Professor

Dr. Michael Rice

Associate Professor

Chiaki Shima

Instructor

Robert Summers

Professor

Dr. Gema Vela

Assistant Professor

Paolo Volpe-Rinonapoli

Master Instructor

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Middle Tennessee State University, Box 79
1301 East Main Street
Murfreesboro, TN 37132 

Main Office: 
BDA 301
Telephone:  (615) 898-2981
Fax:            (615) 898-5735

Department Chair: 
Dr. Olaf Berwald   
Olaf.Berwald@mtsu.edu 
(615) 898-2982 

Executive Assistant:
Charlie Vick  
Charlie.Vick@mtsu.edu
(615) 898-5728

Language Placement Test

MTSU News

The cohort of 15 rising ninth through 12th graders who participated in the third annual National Summer Transportation Institute hosted by Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., pose for a group photo with representatives from MTSU and the Tennessee Department of Transportation following the institute’s closing ceremony on July 31, 2026, in the Applied Engineering Building on campus. (MTSU photo by James Cessna)

MTSU hosts successful third annual National Summer Transportation Institute for high schoolers

Middle Tennessee State University recently concluded its third annual National Summer Transportation Institute, a free, four-week residential STEM program that provides a cohort of high schoolers with hands-on exposure to possible academic and career paths.[ Read More ]

MTSU College of Liberal Arts launches Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Initiatives

Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Liberal Arts has established the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies and Initiatives, a new institute that will house the college's more than 25 interdisciplinary minors while expanding opportunities for interdisciplinary teaching, research and community engagement.[ Read More ]