“Our Team”
Julio Blanca – Director, Spanish Academic Center
Julio Blanca is the Director of the Spanish Academic Center, where he leads programs dedicated to teaching Spanish as a foreign language and promoting Hispanic culture among international students. With a multidisciplinary background, his career spans the fields of medicine, psychology, international business, and language education.
He began his academic training at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), completing two years of medical studies (2007) before earning a Bachelor’s degree in International Business (2011) and a Diploma in Psychology (2013). His commitment to language education led him to complete six diplomas in Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language at the Instituto Cervantes and the Center for Teaching Foreign Students at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) (2022).
His research work includes three major theses: Effects of Non-Pharmacological Interventions in Patients with Alzheimer’s Dementia (2008), Strategies for Promoting Hispanic Culture to Enhance International Trade and Tourism (2012), and Spanish on Its Way to Becoming the World’s Most Widely Spoken Native Language (2022). He is also the author of publications such as Impact of Sleep Quality and Neurostimulation on the Consolidation of Learning (BUAP-2013) and Geopolitical Influence of the Spanish-Speaking World in the Shaping of Global Social and Economic Blocs (UNAM-2024).
In addition to his research and teaching work, Julio Blanca has participated as a guest speaker at academic events, including the Jóvenes Construyendo el Futuro program at Liverpool Virtual University in collaboration with the Government of Mexico, as well as mentoring in the Lederes en Movimiento program (2017).
Through his leadership at the Spanish Academic Center, he fosters an environment where students not only achieve linguistic competence but also gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and global significance of the Spanish-speaking world. His career reflects a permanent commitment to teaching and holistic education, guided by values that seek to inspire, educate, and open doors for the world to discover the richness and fascinating character of Hispanic culture.
María de Elva – Professor and Literature Specialist
María de Elva holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Literature from Tecnológico de Monterrey, where she specialized in Literature. She complemented her academic training with a Master’s in Latin American Studies, with an emphasis on Literature and History, from the University of California, Los Angeles (1993).
Between 2008 and 2018, she served as Director of the Spanish Department at the Preparatoria Eugenio Garza de Monterrey, a position in which she promoted academic programs and strengthened Spanish language education at the upper secondary level.
She has participated as a speaker at academic conferences organized by prestigious institutions such as El Colegio de México, the Universidad Nacional Autonomous de Mexico (UNAM), and the University of Texas at El Paso, sharing her expertise in literature and the humanities.
Her career reflects a strong commitment to research, teaching, and the dissemination of literature as a tool for comprehensive education and cultural dialogue.
Karla Escalante – Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages
Karla Escalante is a graduate of the Faculty of Languages at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), where she trained in foreign language teaching with a focus on developing communicative and intercultural skills.
Throughout her career, she has participated in projects for the design and implementation of language courses, with a special emphasis on teaching children and young learners. Her experience combines the creation of educational materials with the use of dynamic methodologies to foster motivation, creativity, and meaningful learning at early ages.
She has collaborated in programs supported by BUAP’s Coordination of University Extension Courses, aimed at providing accessible and high-quality learning experiences for students of various levels (2017–2020). Her teaching practice reflects a strong commitment to guiding and supporting new generations, grounded in the belief that language learning opens doors to cultural understanding and personal growth.
Paola Moreno – Language Educator and Specialist in Foreign Language Teaching
Paola Moreno is a graduate of the Faculty of Languages at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP), where she received comprehensive training in foreign language teaching and in the development of communicative and intercultural skills in globalized contexts.
She has actively participated in projects for the design and development of language courses aimed at diverse audiences, ranging from young students to adults seeking to expand their academic and professional opportunities. Her experience includes collaboration in programs supported by the BUAP’s Coordination of University Extension Courses, focusing on instructional innovation, personalized guidance, and the creation of teaching materials for languages such as English, French, Italian, and Portuguese, among others (2016 - 2021).
Her career reflects a strong commitment to academic quality and to language teaching as a tool for cultural dialogue and international integration. She currently continues to link her teaching work with projects that aim to bring language learning and the understanding of cultural diversity to a wider audience.
Teresa Aldana – Pedagogy Graduate and Student Guidance Specialist
Teresa Aldana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pedagogy from the Universidad del Valle de México. Her academic and professional interest focuses on supporting and guiding students through educational transition processes.
Between 2018 and 2021, she collaborated in support programs for first-year students at the Universidad del Valle de México, where she provided academic advising, personalized tutoring, and guidance in university integration activities. Her work helped facilitate students’ adaptation to university life and strengthened their academic and personal skills.
Her training has enabled her to develop expertise in educational planning, vocational guidance, and the design of pedagogical strategies to promote meaningful learning. She is currently continuing to refine her practice in higher education with a clear commitment: to train, guide, and inspire new generations throughout their academic journey.
