Spanish

Irene Kivinen

Irene Kivinen
Faculty Specialist I
Interim Director, Introductory Language Program
Location:
509-B Sprau Tower, Mail Stop 5338
Mailing address:
Department of Spanish
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5338 USA
Irene Kivinen View full size image
Education:
  • M.A., Hispanic Studies, Western Michigan University, 2020
  • B.A., Spanish, Global and International Studies, Western Michigan University, 2018
Bio:
Irene is a Faculty Specialist in the Spanish Department.
 
While studying Spanish at Western Michigan University, she completed two study abroad programs, in Santander and Burgos, Spain. She earned the title of the Spanish Department's Presidential Scholar in 2018.
 
After graduating, Irene decided to continue her studies at WMU and complete a master's degree in Hispanic Studies. While completing her master's degree, she had the opportunity to teach Basic Spanish classes as a graduate teaching assistant. She served as the President of the Teaching Assistants Union from 2019 to 2020. She was awarded the Graduate Teaching Effectiveness award for the Spanish Department in 2020.
 
Since graduating, Irene has continued teaching Spanish at both WMU and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She has taught all levels of basic and intermediate Spanish, including Spanish Composition and Spanish Conversation. She directed the faculty-led study abroad program in Quito, Ecuador in 2023. Since 2024, she has also taught WMU classes to dual-enrolled high school students at Kalamazoo Christian High School. She served as the Treasurer of the Professional Instructors Organization from 2021 to 2026. 
 
In 2025, she was promoted to Faculty Specialist, and as of August 2026, is serving as the Interim Director of the Introductory Language program in the Spanish Department.