CARLA Fellow Program

The CARLA Fellow Program is designed to recognize and support the outstanding contributions of graduate students at the University of Minnesota in the area of second language learning and/or teaching, and to engage graduate students in the work being done at CARLA. Each year, up to two University of Minnesota doctoral students are selected as CARLA Fellows. The awardees receive a $1,000 reimbursement allowance for travel to attend or present at a language-related conference and are invited to give a CARLA Presentation during the academic year. 

CARLA Fellow 2025-2026

University of Minnesota doctoral students in the area of second language learning and/or teaching who are nearing the end of their program of study are encouraged to apply to be a CARLA Fellow for this academic year. Selection criteria include: strength of the letter of application; number of publications and presentations at national and international  conferences; activities as a language teacher, advocate, consultant, or teacher educator; strength of the letter of recommendation from a faculty member; and strength of the writing sample. Graduate students who have already received CARLA Fellow funding are not eligible.

CARLA anticipates awarding two CARLA Fellowships for the 2025–2026 academic year.

Benefits of being a CARLA Fellow: 

  • Receive up to a $1,000 reimbursement allowance for travel to attend or present at a language-related conference during the 2025-2026 academic year 
  • Give a CARLA Presentation during the academic year


Application Instructions: 

  • Prepare a 1-2 page letter of application outlining the following: 
    • Your research interests and activities 
    • Plans for using the CARLA Fellow funds
    • Your past involvement with CARLA and potential future involvement as a CARLA Fellow

  • Include the following documents in your application: 
    • Academic writing sample related to language learning and/or teaching 
    • Transcript of academic work (unofficial) 
    • Curriculum Vitae 
    • Letter of recommendation from a faculty member 

  • Email your application materials directly to the CARLA Director: [email protected] 


Applications are due on Monday, October 27, 2025. 

For more information, email Karin Larson at: [email protected]

CARLA Fellows (1996–Present)

2024–2025:
Perla Escobar-Faerber (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2023–2024:
Leiry Warren (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2022–2023:
Darren LaScotte (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Marie Mangold (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2020–2021:
Vivian H. Franco Díaz (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)
Amanda Swearingen (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 

2019–2020:
Leah Shepard-Carey (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Lauren Truman (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2018–2019:
Mónica de la Fuente Iglesias (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)
Russell Simonsen (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2017–2018:
Yi-Ju Lai (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Corinne Mathieu (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD. 

2016–2017:
Jenna Cushing-Leubner (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Mel Engman (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Jenifer Vanek (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 

2014–2015:
LeeAnne Godfrey (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Beth Dillard (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 

2013–2014:
Fang (Andie) Wang (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 
Amy Young (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD) 

2012–2013:
Angela George (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2011–2012:
Angela Pinilla-Herrera (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2010–2011:
Sachiko Horii (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2009–2010:
Giang Thùy Pham (Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences/PhD)

2008–2009:
Mandy Menke (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2007–2008:
Pam Wesely (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2006–2007:
Karla Stone (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2005–2006:
Laurent Cammarata (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2004–2005:
Anne Dahlman (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2003–2004:
Lisa McCowen (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)

2002–2003:
Karen Jorgensen (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)
Paul Magnuson (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

2001–2002:
Mike Anderson (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)
Jenny Yi-chun Kuo (Linguistics/PhD)

2000–2001:
J. Cesar Felix-Brasdefer (Hispanic Linguistics/PhD)
Tara Fortune (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)

1999–2000:
Patsy Vinogradov (ESL/MA)
Bonnie Swierzbin (Linguistics/PhD)

1998–1999:
Karin Goettsch (ESL/MA)
Francine Klein (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)
John Skinner (ESL/MA)

1997–1998:
Andreas Schramm (Linguistics/PhD)
Nima Salehi (ESL/MA)

1996–1997:
Karen Lybeck (Linguistics/ PhD)
Patricia Mougel (Second Languages and Cultures Education/PhD)