Rate My Professor Lilian Contreras-Silva

Lilian Albertina Contreras-Silva is a Professor of Spanish in the Department of Foreign Languages at Hendrix College, where she has been teaching since the fall of 2000. Born in San Salvador, El Salvador, she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1981, eventually settling in Houma, Louisiana. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology, with minors in classical civilization and zoology, from Louisiana State University in 1994. Following one year of medical school at LSU New Orleans, she pursued advanced studies in Spanish and comparative literature at LSU Baton Rouge, obtaining a Master of Arts in Spanish in 1997 and a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature in 2000, specializing in Spanish, English, and French American colonial literatures. At Hendrix, she advanced from assistant to associate professor with tenure around 2006 and to full professor in 2017. She serves as advisor to SLIC, the Students for Latin and Iberian Cultures group, and to the Phi Zeta chapter of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. Additionally, she holds the role of Spanish Language Coordinator.

Dr. Contreras-Silva's research interests focus on Spanish, English, and French American colonial literatures. She has supervised student projects funded by the Hendrix-Murphy Foundation, including explorations of hybrid identity in Hispanic America. During her sabbatical in fall 2013-2014, she continued her scholarly pursuits. Her dedication to student engagement is evident in her involvement in departmental activities, such as leading immersion programs and cultural workshops. She maintains an active presence in the academic community through committee service and supervision of interdisciplinary initiatives at Hendrix College.