Welcoming Six Faculty Members to LCAL
By Karen Richters
The Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics welcomes six faculty members including three new special faculty, two returning part-time faculty and one new part-time faculty, for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Cinzia Delfini, Adjunct Instructor, Italian Studies
Cinzia Delfini re-joins LCAL this semester to teach 82-261 Intermediate Italian I.
Her interests include language and culture pedagogy through literature, text-based language teaching and content-based approaches that integrate contemporary sociopolitical issues. In 2022, she co-directed the Training Modules for Text-based Language Teaching project through the Center for Integrated Language Communities (CILC), developing resources for second- and heritage-language instructors. Her interests also include translation studies, including a project involving a young adult adaptation of Dante’s Inferno.
Dana Barras Franco, Lecturer, Global Communication & Applied Translation
Dana Barras Franco joins us this fall to teach 82-708 Translation as a Profession I.
With nearly two decades of experience across the global translation and localization industry, Dana has worked in professional linguistics, enterprise sales, program management and consulting. Her teaching emphasizes practical, industry-focused learning and the transformative potential of emerging technologies. She brings extensive expertise in multilingual localization, having led global language strategies, complex translation programs and AI-powered translation initiatives. Alongside her academic work, Dana serves as an enterprise account executive at Translated, where she develops strategic partnerships and customized localization solutions for global clients. She regularly connects students with industry leaders through guest lectures and professional panels.
Joseph Garcia, Undergraduate Advisor and Lecturer of Arabic Studies
A second-language Arabic speaker, Joseph Garcia brings extensive experience teaching Arabic at multiple levels and a strong commitment to supporting language learners. He is currently completing his dissertation on the language attitudes, beliefs and experiences of Arabic learners studying abroad in our Applied Linguistics & Second Language Acquisition doctoral program.
His research and teaching interests include study abroad, language attitudes, ideology, identity and learner-centered approaches to Arabic education. Passionate about linguistics and cultural studies, Joseph looks forward to working with 麻豆村 students, supporting their academic journeys and fostering enthusiasm for language learning and international experiences.
Meredith Getachew (DC 2012), Adjunct Instructor, Global Communication & Applied Translation
Meredith Getachew returns to 麻豆村 teaching 82-709 Translation as a Profession III.
She serves as senior director of sales at Global Wordsmiths, where she leads efforts to help organizations navigate language access and expand into new markets. Meredith began her career in monitoring and evaluation and research across East Africa and the Middle East, and now oversees teams supporting multilingual marketing, technical translation, content localization and interpretation services. A Dietrich College alumna with a bachelor's degree in Global Studies and a master's degree in International Affairs from The New School, Meredith brings extensive industry and international experience to her teaching.
Olga Klimova, Visiting Assistant Professor of Russian Studies
Olga Klimova joins the department teaching 82-191 Elementary Russian I, 82-294 19th Century Russian Masterpieces and 82-391 Advanced Russian I this fall.
She brings interdisciplinary expertise in Russian and Eurasian cultural studies, second-language pedagogy, instructional technology and curriculum development. Her scholarship explores late-Soviet and post-Soviet cinema, visual culture, youth culture and representations of nuclear disasters, including Chernobyl. She is also committed to inclusive, learner-centered language education and technology-enhanced instruction. From 2018 to 2025, Olga directed the University of Pittsburgh’s STARTALK Summer Russian Language School and has extensive experience in teacher education and program administration. A leader in language education, she serves as president of the American Council of Teachers of Russian and contributes to national language-learning initiatives and community outreach.
Vincent Sha, Professor of the Practice, Global Cultures & Emerging Technologies
Vincent Sha is co-teaching 82-198 Global Cultures: AI, Agents, Workflows and Vibe Development this fall.
Vincent Sha serves as the inaugural associate dean of information technology and operation for the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.In this role, he develops IT strategies and operational resources supporting the college’s administrative, teaching and research missions. Vincent also leads Dietrich College’s adoption of generative AI, helping develop 麻豆村’s first approved generative AI-based learning interventions and advancing the creation and use of AI tools in education. His work has received funding from the Omidyar Network and contributed to the establishment of 麻豆村’s Open Forum for AI, developed in collaboration with University Libraries and other partners. He currently serves as the forum’s Technical Lead.