Dr. Fiordaliza Ippolito, is the CEO and Founder of Classic Spanish Classes and one of the Professors for the program. She holds a PhD in Spanish from the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at SUNY University at Albany in New York. Additionally, she earned a master's degree in Hispanic Literature from CUNY Brooklyn College and a second master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from CUNY Lehman College. She also obtained a bachelor's degree in business from CUNY Lehman College and an associate degree from CUNY Hostos Community College. Dr. Ippolito has experience teaching at various universities, offering courses such as Spanish for Beginners, Intermediate Spanish, Advanced Spanish, Composition, and Spanish for Health Professionals. She is also skilled in online teaching, including Conversational Spanish and Medical Spanish for Nurses. Currently, she teaches at Helene Fuld College of Nursing and CUNY Hostos Community College. She is a native Spanish speaker with over seven years of experience at the college level. She has earned several certificates to enhance her teaching pedagogy, including the SUNY Lumen Circles Certificate of Effective Teaching: Active Learning. Additionally, she holds a certification from the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) and has a CUNY K-16 Pedagogy Fellowship. Fiordaliza is also certified in Voicethread. Dr. Ippolito also engages in community service and outreach programs, collaborating with several nonprofit organizations, including Lions Club International, where she serves as the Director of District 20-R2.
Mirna Leticia Álvarez, Ph.D.:
Dr. Mirna Leticia Alvarez is an instructor for Classic Spanish Classes. She holds a PhD in Spanish from the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures at SUNY University at Albany, New York, and obtained her master's degree from the University of North Texas. Additionally, she earned an associate degree in Spanish from Laredo Community College in Texas. Dr. Alvarez has experience teaching various Spanish courses, including Advanced Spanish Grammar I, Spanish Intermediate I and II, an Elementary Spanish Blended Course (Internet), Elementary Spanish Accelerated, and Elementary Spanish Lab. With over a decade of experience teaching Spanish at the college level, she is a native Spanish speaker.
Anthony Díaz-Vázquez (he/him/they),Advanced Doctoral Student
Anthony Díaz-Vázquez is an advanced doctoral student in Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies at the University of Arizona. He holds a master’s in General Linguistics from the University of Puerto Rico, where he explored media representations of hate crime victims. His current research focuses on queer and trans students in higher education, examining how they utilize semiotic and communicative practices to negotiate their identities and resist normative pressures in the classroom. His dissertation, “Exploring the Identity of Queer and Trans Students in Learning Environments,” integrates semiotics, sociolinguistics, and critical pedagogy. Anthony also researches bilingual education, digital culture, and queer media. His recent works include “Advocating for LGBTQ+ Students in Bilingual Classrooms” and “The Digital Sacralization of Alexa.” With over eight years of teaching experience, he is committed to inclusive, justice-driven education rooted in language, identity, and cultural inquiry.
Stephen Ippolito, PhD, ABD Candidate:
Stephen Ippolito is the Director, responsible for marketing and communication. He is an educator, researcher, and advocate specializing in Sociology, Disability Studies, Africana, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies, as well as inclusive and accessible education. Currently, he is a PhD ABD Candidate in Africana, Caribbean, and Latinx Studies at the University at Albany (SUNY), where he teaches courses on Caribbean Tourism and “Power in the Americas.” At CUNY School of Professional Studies, he teaches Disability Studies and oversees capstone coursework for undergraduate and graduate thesis projects. Stephen actively supports college initiative programs focused on access and student success and serves on the Alumni Engagement Council at CUNY SPS. As a proud member of Lions Club International, District 20-R2, he serves as Chair and 2nd-year director for Diabetes Awareness and Disability Empowerment while promoting public health awareness through community outreach. Stephen’s work bridges teaching, research, and advocacy, demonstrating a strong commitment to education.
