Marianella Jara teaches beginning to middle intermediate Spanish courses in all modalities (F2F, Hybrid and Online). In 2014, she was awarded the title of Senior Lecturer. Also, in 2014 she won the "Lecturer of the Year Award' for excellence in service and teaching. In 2010, Ms. Jara received the "Discere Aude Award" for excellence in teaching. In 2023, she received "The Excellence in Online Education Award". Ms. Jara served as the Spanish Lower Division Coordinator from 2022-2024. She loves taking students abroad. She has directed and co-directed sixteen study abroad programs including Argentina, France, Italy, Malta and Spain. She was the faculty director for the North Carolina Semester in Spain Program from UNC Charlotte in 2016. She broke the record for recruiting the most students in the history of the program. Ms. Jara has mentored many graduate students who have taught under her and met regularly to discuss teaching techniques and more. She was the Spanish Club adviser for nine consecutive years.As the adviser to the Spanish Club she helped organize events to help the Hispanic community in Wilmington as well as activities that foster appreciation for the Spanish Language and Hispanic Cultures. She taught a Spanish for Educators class for the Watson School of Education. She created two Honor seminar courses for the Honors college . She taught the orientation class for freshmen, UNI 101. She served in several search committees for new hires to to include new language instructors and education abroad advisers. She has also been an advisor for University College and is an active advisor in her home department. She is currently developing an Honors Seminar about Costa Rican culture and environmental issues that will take students to Costa Rica during Spring break and help with international volunteering projects.
