Daniel Arroyo-Rodriguez: Instructor of Spanish
Arroyo-Rodriguez comes to Colorado College from the University of Michigan, where he received his Ph.D. in Spanish literature in 2010. A native of Spain, Arroyo-Rodriguez earned his B.A. in English philology in 2000 from the Universidad de Sevilla. Arroyo-Rodriguez specializes in 19th-, 20th-, and 21st-century Spanish peninsular literature and cultural studies; he is especially interested in cultural representations of the 19th- and 20th-century wars in Spain. His dissertation, “Guerilla Narratives in Spanish Contemporary Culture,” explores literary and cinematic representations of the maquis during and surrounding the Spanish Civil War. The University of Michigan formally recognized Arroyo-Rodriguez’s commitment to and talent for teaching when they awarded him the “Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award” in 2007.
Andrea Bruder: Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
Bruder earned her Ph.D. from Baylor University in 2009, after receiving an M.S. from the Munich University of Technology in 2007 and a B.S. from Johannes Gutenberg University in her native country, Germany. While she specializes in differential equations and orthogonal polynomials, Bruder will teach a variety of courses at Colorado College and utilize her natural sciences background to teach students from across disciplines about applications in physics and biology. In addition to multiple academic awards, Bruder won first place in the Texas Collegiate Rock Climbing Series in 2008.
Mona El-Sherif: Instructor of Arabic
A native of Egypt, El-Sherif received her B.A. in English and American literatures from Alexandria University in 1997. After earning an M.A. in Islamic, Jewish, and Near Eastern studies from Washington University, she continued to the University of California, Berkeley, for her Ph.D. in Near Eastern studies. El-Sherif ‘s dissertation, “Cairo-Paris: The Urban Imaginary of the Self,” uses literary texts, films, and historical sources to explore 19th-century cultural transformations in Egypt that defy narrow cultural theories of “westernization” and “secularization.” El-Sherif has taught classes in Arabic literature, cultural studies, history, religion, and Arabic language.
Maroula Khraiche: Instructor of Economics and Business
Khraiche earned her B.S. from Arizona State University and her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. Khraiche specializes in international economics, macro and monetary economics; much of her research focuses on the international migration of skilled and unskilled labor. She has taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses and received numerous awards while at the University of Connecticut, including the Albert E. Waugh Scholarship for academic excellence and teaching.
Ryan Platt: Instructor of Drama and Dance
After earning his B.A. in theater and dance and French studies from Amherst College, Platt plans to earn his Ph.D. in theater arts from Cornell University in 2010. His areas of expertise are global forms of modern and contemporary performance, including dance, experimental theater, and drama. His dissertation, “After Aura: Movement, Media, and the Performance of the Screen,” reconsiders the legacy of technology established by 20th-century avant-garde theater. His interdisciplinary studies and teaching have explored gender, media theory, digital culture, and the intersections between dance, drama, and experimental theater. Platt’s commitment to connecting theory with studio practice will inform both his teaching and involvement with the Cornerstone Arts Initiative while at CC.
Carrie Ruiz: Assistant Professor of Spanish
Ruiz received her B.A. in Spanish literature from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and her Ph.D. in pre-modern Spanish literature from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2008. Since then, she has taught Hispanic studies at Carnegie Mellon University, offering courses in Spanish language, cultural studies, history, and literature. Her dissertation explores several 17th-century Spanish literary works in relation to the anamorphic visual constructions of the European Baroque. She is active in her field, both in publishing and as an editor of Transitions: Journal of Franco-Iberian Studies.
Colorado College also says farewell to six retiring faculty members: Marie Daniels; Harold Jones; Keith Kester; Carl Reed; Libby Rittenberg; and John Watkins. To see what they’re planning for retirement, go here.