HWS News
12 June 2026 From Classroom Conversations to Conference Presentations
What began as classroom discussions about identity, culture and belonging evolved into conference presentations for Emily Echavarria ’27 and Karen Padilla ’27.
Emily Echavarria '27 and Karen Padilla '27 presented their work recently at the Fifth Symposium of Early Modern Hispanic Studies at Colgate University. The symposium was sponsored by Sigma Delta Pi, a national honor society recognizing those who excel in the study of the language, literature and culture of the Spanish-speaking world.
The symposium, which was designed by undergraduate members of Sigma Delta Pi, provided Echavarria and Padilla with an opportunity to test their communicative skills in a conference format with the support of their professors, build community across campuses, contribute to critical debate with their original research and feel empowered as bilingual students.
Echavarria, an architectural studies major, presented “Digital Testimonios: Narrating Queer Latine Identity through Storytelling, Community, and Social Media,” explored the impact of influencers, such as TikTok content creator Karne Asada, and social media on digital testimonials, digital third spaces and queer Latine identity within the United States. Her research was shaped by participating in “The Latina Experience,” a course taught by Alejandra Molina, an instructor in the Department of Spanish, Latin American and Bilingual Studies and retired director of the Adams Intercultural Center at Hobart and William Smith.
Echavarria credits Molina and Professor of Spanish, Latin American, and Bilingual Studies Fernando Rodríguez-Mansilla with supporting her efforts. “My professors encouraged me to deepen my inquiry about the topic and present my findings,” she says, “and that has inspired me to continue to explore identity and culture as part of my summer research.”
Padilla, a Spanish and Hispanic studies major who is also pursuing a Teaching English as a Foreign Language certificate, participated in Molina’s “Latina Writing in the U.S.” course, presented “Literature and Film as Home: Reflections on Identity and Belonging,” an examination of the concept that valuable learning occurs in an environment in which a student can see themselves reflected in the curriculum regardless of their background. Her presentation encouraged symposium participants to consider how learning occurs through both formal classroom activity and in everyday experience.
“I want to promote equitable and fun education for all,” Padilla says. “Professor Molina’s class modeled the type of teaching and learning in which I want to engage as an educator.”
Sigma Delta Pi’s mission is to honor those who excel in the study of the Spanish language and in the study of the literature, culture, peoples, societies and advocates of the Spanish-speaking world.
