As a proud alum from our department, Campodonico-Barr graciously agreed to be interviewed about her experiences at IU and beyond. The interview was conducted by Professor Olimpia Rosenthal and Ph.D. student Macy Maas.

In the interview, Campodonico-Barr spoke eloquently about her fond memories of taking Spanish classes at IU. Though initially she thought she was going to pursue only a Spanish minor, Campodonico-Barr soon changed her mind after taking an upper division culture class. The class, as she recounted, taught her about Hispanic history and culture, and made her reconnect and rethink her family history. Her family migrated from Panama, and the course gave her a new appreciation for the culture and language of her heritage. She then eagerly enrolled in other courses in the department and made meaningful connections with various professors who shaped her academic and professional career. She mentioned how the courses allowed her to become a better writer, both in Spanish and English, and how they amplified her Spanish language skills in ways she could have never anticipated. She also studied abroad in Madrid and spoke openly about some of the challenges she faced, including how living in a new country “allowed her to sit in some discomfort at first, but that’s where the growth really happens.” In study abroad programs, she noted, “your language blossoms and so does your world view.” Campodonico-Barr also stated that her Spanish courses at IU, and her experience studying abroad in Madrid, made her a more well-rounded, global-lensed person.

 

After completing her B.A. Campodonico-Barr obtained a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Maurer School of Law and a Master of Public Administration from the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. While in graduate school, she continued taking classes in Spanish. After she graduated, she found a program through United Nations in Chile to teach English and community development work with women and youth. In her words: “It was an interesting context because the town I was in was mainly run by women and that is what made me want to work with women in my job.” Her experience in Chile also broadened her understanding of different dialects in Spanish, and she talked about how she picked up on different colloquialisms that gave her a different purview on culture.

In the interview with Campodonico-Barr a range of other topics were also discussed. She talked about the importance of mentoring other women, described herself as a feminist, and talked proudly about the significant influence her grandmother had on her life. Her grandmother, Campodonico-Barr recounted, grew up in a small town in Panama and, in her words, “pushed her and her sister to have high expectations of themselves.” She also talked about how her grandmother urged and encouraged her to be in leadership positions, and she stressed the importance of giving more voice for women in positions of power so that young girls can see themselves in those positions in the future. At the time of the interview, Campodonico-Barr was pregnant, and she brilliantly embodied the characteristics of strong female leadership.

Campodonico-Barr also spoke about how her linguistic skills in Spanish have helped her—directly or indirectly—in every professional position she has held. She mentioned how Spanish allowed her to connect with pastoral leaders in immigrant communities, and how it allowed her to learn more about what organizations are doing and how to improve and build trust with the communities.

The interview was filled with insightful commentary and was a true inspiration!

Description by Olimpia Rosenthal and Macy Maas.