Victoria Calmes broadens students’ horizons through language, travel and mentorship

Q: You grew up in Madrid, Spain, before coming to the United States. Could you share what your heritage means to you and how you ultimately made your home in La Crosse?

A: I was born and raised in Madrid, and my Spanish identity continues to be a very important part of who I am, both personally and professionally. Growing up in Madrid gave me a deep appreciation for Spanish culture, history, literature and everyday life - interests that I now have the privilege of sharing with my students.

I originally came to the United States to continue my education, first at Marquette University in Milwaukee and later at the University of California, Irvine. What started as an opportunity to study in the United States eventually became a much bigger part of my life. I made Wisconsin my home, raised my four daughters here, and developed a career and a community that have meant a great deal to me.

I still maintain close ties to Spain and return frequently, both personally and through the faculty-led study abroad program I direct in Granada. In many ways, my life has become a bridge between my two homes and cultures.

Q: When did you realize teaching Spanish language and culture was the right career for you?

A: I have always loved learning, languages, culture and the exchange of ideas, but I think I truly realized that teaching was the right career for me when I began working with students full-time. After completing my master's degree at Marquette University, I was offered a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. That was when I discovered how much I enjoyed being in the classroom, interacting with students, and sharing my enthusiasm for Spanish culture and language. I remember thinking that this was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life!

What I find especially rewarding is seeing my students become curious about experiences and perspectives beyond their own. I love watching them gain confidence in Spanish and discover that learning a language is not simply about grammar, vocabulary, or memorizing information. It is a way of understanding other people and seeing the world differently.

Many years later, I still enjoy teaching as much as I did at the beginning, perhaps even more!

Q: What drew you to the opportunity to teach at UWL? What has helped you feel at home here?

A: Initially, personal and family reasons brought me to the La Crosse area, but I quickly came to appreciate being part of a university where excellent teaching is genuinely valued and where faculty have the opportunity to get to know their students as individuals.

Over the years, the relationships I have built with students, colleagues and members of the wider university community have made UWL feel like home. Seeing former students use their Spanish in their careers, travel internationally, or remain connected to the language and culture after graduation gives me a deep sense of belonging and purpose.

I have also valued the opportunity to contribute beyond my own classroom, especially through the Granada study abroad program ... (and) serving as the faculty advisor for Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society, since 2017.

I think passion is a big part of who I am, both personally and professionally. That passion is what keeps me excited about teaching, learning, and trying new things, even after all these years.

Q: How would you describe your research interests? What do you enjoy about the opportunity to pursue those topics outside the classroom?

A: My research interests center on contemporary Spanish culture, literature and film, particularly the representation of women, gender, family and motherhood. More recently, I have become especially interested in how contemporary Spanish filmmakers use cinema to explore changing social expectations and bring attention to women's experiences that have often been overlooked.

Research gives me the opportunity to continue learning and to engage deeply with questions that also relate to my teaching. I enjoy the process of analyzing a film or literary work, placing it within its social and historical context, and exchanging ideas with other scholars.

For me, scholarship and teaching are closely connected. The ideas I explore through research often become part of my courses. Being able to bring new perspectives and discoveries into the classroom is one of the things I enjoy most about academic life.

Q: How has the College of Arts, Social Sciences & Humanities supported your research and professional development?

A: CASSH has supported my professional development in many ways, including opportunities to attend and present at conferences, both nationally and internationally, and to pursue scholarly projects. I am very grateful for that support. Having encouragement from colleagues and university leadership gives me the motivation to continue growing as both a professor and a scholar.

I have also appreciated the way CASSH recognizes the many contributions faculty make to the university through teaching, scholarship, advising, service and community engagement. In 2026, I was honored to receive both the Eagle Excellence Award in Academic Advising and the Burt and Norma Altman Award for Leadership. These recognitions were especially meaningful to me because they reflect two aspects of my work that I care deeply about: helping students find their direction and believe in their potential, and creating opportunities for them to learn, grow and experience other cultures beyond the classroom.

I am also especially grateful for the opportunity to take a sabbatical next year. After many years of teaching, I am excited about having the opportunity to devote more time to my research, explore new ideas and pursue projects that I am truly passionate about.

Q: What are your interests outside of teaching?

A: Travel is one of my greatest passions. I love discovering new cultures, meeting people and spending time outdoors, especially hiking, kayaking and exploring beautiful natural places. Some of my most meaningful travel experiences have combined physical challenges with cultural discovery, such as my recent trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu in Peru.

I also love dancing, Zumba and staying active. Dancing and music bring me so much energy and joy, and I recently completed my training as a Zumba instructor. I also enjoy sharing my love of Latin dance and flamenco with students and the university community. One particularly memorable experience was performing flamenco at UWL's International Banquet with my students from the Granada program. It was a wonderful opportunity to share a little piece of Spanish culture through something I love so much.

Above all, I value spending time with my four daughters, my family and my friends, both here and in Spain. Traveling, dancing, staying active and sharing experiences with the people I love bring me so much happiness and make life exciting. I feel there is still so much to discover, learn and experience!

Q: What do you enjoy about the teaching and learning environment at UWL?

A: What I enjoy most about teaching at UWL is the level of engagement and connection I have with my students. UWL students are curious, hardworking and willing to challenge themselves. Because my classes allow for a great deal of interaction, I can create an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, taking risks with the language and sharing their perspectives.

I also value experiential learning. Whether students are discussing a Spanish film, examining a historical event, participating in a cultural activity, or studying abroad in Granada, they are doing much more than memorizing information. They are learning to communicate, think critically, and approach the world with curiosity and empathy.

For many years, one of my dreams was to create a study abroad program where I could share my culture and language with students in Spain. Seeing that dream become a reality through the Granada program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Of course, I love watching students' Spanish improve and seeing them develop a deeper understanding of Spanish culture. But what touches me most is their personal growth. They become more confident, independent, and open to different perspectives, often discovering things about themselves that they never expected. I have seen how profoundly this experience can affect their lives, and knowing that I have helped make that possible brings me tremendous joy.