Meet the 2025-26 Graduate Student Cohort

Ryan Christenson- Chinese MALP

I was born and raised in Sandy, Utah and graduated from the University of Utah in 2024 with a dual-major in Chinese and Asian Studies. Prior to that, I completed an Associates degree in History at Salt Lake Community College, and I am now studying for a Master's degree in Language Pedagogy. I have always had a great interest in languages and cultures from around the world. I took German classes in high school and then started learning Mandarin Chinese almost 8 years ago. Additionally, I also know some Cantonese and am currently learning Japanese. I am glad to be back at the University of Utah and look forward to hopefully sharing my love of languages and cultures with others in my future career. Aside from learning languages, I also love playing guitar in my cover band, learning to cook dishes from various cuisines, spending time with my family and pets, playing games, and reading history, poetry, and fiction.

 

Tomás Cruz Villalvazo-Spanish MA

Hola, my name is Tomas Cruz Villalvazo, I’m a Mexican American heritage speaker born and raised here in Utah. I grew up in Park City and Draper, but I currently reside in Salt Lake City. During this last summer, I earned my Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Spanish with a Campaign Management minor at the University of Utah. I am excited to return to the U this fall to begin working on my Master of Arts in Spanish Literature and Cultures. I am thrilled to be returning as graduate student in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, getting to work alongside an amazing and welcoming group of colleagues, students, professors, and staff. Additionally, my academic interests are in Latin American literature, cultures, and social movements during the Twentieth Century, exploring their cultural significance within contemporary events. When I am off-campus, I love to spend time with my family, enjoy carne asada barbeques, listen to music and find time to dance to a new song. 

 

Franklin Huerta-Spanish MALP

My name is Franklin Huerta, originally from Peru, and I am passionate about languages and cultural exchange. I graduated from the University of Utah with a double major in Italian and French and also earned an associate degree in Translation of Languages from Headway College in Lima, Peru. Fluent in five languages, I not only value the linguistic aspects of each language but also the unique cultures that come with them. My experiences have shaped my commitment to cross-cultural understanding and effective communication. I am excited to continue my education in languages at the University of Utah, an institution I admire for its strong emphasis on language learning and cultural development. I believe this environment will allow me to further expand my skills while contributing to the diverse academic community. Outside of academics, I enjoy playing soccer, hiking, reading, and traveling, activities that allow me to stay active, explore new perspectives, and connect with different cultures.

 

Eduvey Ramirez-Spanish MA

I’m thrilled to be a part of the University of Utah’s Department of World Languages and Cultures. Born and raised in the Salt Lake City area,  I completed my undergraduate studies here at the U, earning a B.A. in Spanish and a B.A. in English. What I love most about being part of this program is the academically encouraging atmosphere, both via students and faculty, and am ecstatic to continue my academic journey here to focus my studies on language, cultures, and literature from various parts of the Spanish-speaking world. Outside of my academics, I love to travel, lounge in coffee shops, explore different parts of the city, particularly in the night, read and collect books, write fiction, and make fun invites for every occasion on Canva.

Yaoyao Wu-Chinese MALP

I am originally from China and completed my undergraduate degree in Finance in Beijing. After graduating, I worked in the business world for several years and also taught one-on-one lessons in Business Chinese and HSK prep. What excites me about the MALP program is the opportunity to connect my practical teaching experience with the theories and methodologies of language pedagogy, further strengthening my professional expertise. I especially appreciate the program’s diversity, where students from different backgrounds and languages can share ideas, learn from one another, and create new sparks together. Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time in nature and sunshine—hiking, jogging, and other outdoor activities are my favorite ways to relax and recharge.