SIPI Instructor (301)
Letícia Barbosa (she/her)
M.A Student in Portuguese Literature, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
What is your educational background?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in social communication with an emphasis in Journalism from the Federal University of Pernambuco, in Brazil, which I earned in 2019. My educational background also includes a master’s degree in Portuguese Literature, which I completed in the Spring of 2023 at UW-Madison. Currently, I am still a badger, but now I am a Ph.D. student in Portuguese Literature. Additionally, I have been working as a Portuguese Teaching Assistant at UW-Madison since 2021.
During my undergraduate studies, I conducted research on Hollywood teen movies for my final course thesis, reflecting my keen interest in cinema studies and media studies. From 2018 to 2019, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant for the Brazilian National Center for Science Research Program at the Joaquim Nabuco Foundation. This project focused on exploring the utilization of digital communication technologies by human sciences teachers in public high schools in Pernambuco.
How long have you been involved with SIPI?
This is my second Summer joining SIPI, and I am super excited about it!
What are you most excited for this Summer?
I can’t wait to enjoy the concerts by the square and hang out by the lake with my friends.
Any fun facts about yourself?
For a long time, I knew how to float but not to swim. I took swimming classes for the first time when I was around 20, and I am still unsure if I can swim! Also, I enjoy dancing and singing along to all the banger songs.
Portuguese SIPI Instructor (302)
Levi Cross
Ph.D. Student, Department of Spanish and Portuguese
What is your educational background?
As a born and raised Wisconsinite, I attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for both my undergraduate and graduate studies. In 2018, I received a B.S. degree with majors in Portuguese and LACIS (Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies) and earned my M.A degree in Portuguese in 2020. My passion for the Portuguese language and interests in Brazilian culture began my junior year of high school while living and studying in Itabira, Minas Gerais, Brazil as a student ambassador through Rotary Youth Exchange. My appreciation for the lusophone world grew while studying abroad in Coimbra, Portugal where I spent my final semester of undergraduate studies at the Universidade de Coimbra. I am continuing my studies at UW-Madison as a Ph.D. student in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese studying contemporary Brazilian literature and culture with research interests in gender, sexuality, race, disability and trans-Atlantic studies.
How long have you been involved with SIPI?
I have three years of experience teaching Portuguese as the instructor of record for Portuguese 101 and 102, and also have experience as a teaching assistant for LACIS 260: Introduction to Latin America under the guidance of Professor Kathryn Sanchez. Summer 2021 was my first year involved with SIPI and I am so excited to share my experiences in the lusophone world, appreciation of Brazilian culture and love for Portuguese with the Institute as Portuguese instructor.
What are you most excited for this Summer?
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, cooking (and eating) new foods and spending as much time outdoors as possible. I am most excited to play beach volleyball and watch sunsets with friends at the Terrace and at the beautiful parks around Madison this summer.
Any fun facts about yourself?
A fun fact about me is that I spent my childhood summers in Indiana training llamas for the Indiana State Fair and still love all things involving llamas.