Juan Carlos Toledano Redondo

How do you describe the liberal arts?

Our idea of university studies is connecting knowledge to everything. Although we also strive to give direction and a future career to our students, our main goal is to create better human beings who, instead of compartmentalizing the world into fields of study, understand that each field is a door to see better, connect the dots of knowledge, and understand the world as a whole.

What do you enjoy most about Lewis & Clark students?

They come to learn and transform themselves, and that makes them ready to absorb all the new ideas the world has to offer. In that, I see certain happiness and hope about life, and it reenergizes me to serve them better.

How does Lewis & Clark prepare students interested in your field to pursue a career and/or advanced studies after graduation?

My main focus is teaching Spanish, but with that language comes the culture of over five hundred million people and a diverse population across three continents, with a history that spans more than a thousand years. It also represents a huge market. Holding the key to that door opens so many opportunities in the fields of teaching, health, entrepreneurship, tourism … And, in many cases, you don’t even need to leave the U.S.

What sets your department or program apart from other small liberal arts colleges?

I am the product of an overseas program between the universities of Granada and Miami. All the programs I am part of require that our students travel overseas for at least one semester. In many other colleges, going overseas is optional. Our overseas programs are the jewel in our crown. L&C is recognized nationwide as one of the best colleges for studying abroad, and integrates that knowledge and experience into the fabric of the school and its various academic pursuits. Fortunately, more than 60 percent of our students choose to study abroad at some point in their academic careers. In a way, we have created an incredibly international campus, with our own student body traveling all over the world and returning to share what they have learned. The programs in the World Languages and Literatures Department make a significant contribution to this.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

There is a fig tree, but that is all I am going to tell you.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

Portland is a small big city, which allows it to offer all I need without the overwhelming feeling of a large city, like New York or Madrid. You can walk the city if you prefer, but if you’d rather not, buses, the MAX, and bicycles are available. People are friendly and open to new ideas. I even like the mild weather, and the rain doesn’t bother me much.

What’s one of your favorite L&C memories?

Memories come unexpectedly and in the future. One day, you bump into a former student who is now a mother and still remembers your classes. Feeling that it was worth attending an overseas program in Chile you told her about. Then, all those memories of advising and teaching her come back, and in that moment, I feel that I have chosen the best career possible.

Share something you think your students would be surprised to learn about you.

I am an avid player of table tennis and badminton. For a while, we attempted to establish a table tennis club here, open to all, but the changing schedules and limited space made it a challenging endeavor. I am open to suggestions!

Hispanic Studies Latin American and Latino Studies World Languages and Literatures