Faculty Profiles

PhD, University of Arizona (2005). Spanish Professor of Research and Associate Chair of the Department of World Languages and Literatures. He has served as the first-year Spanish coordinator, Spanish undergraduate adviser, and was the Jones Professor of Southwestern Studies from 2013-2015. In 2020 Dr. Martínez was named Honorary Professor of International Studies. He has published several articles on academic journals: The Bilingual Review, Revista de Literatura Mexicana Contemporánea, Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Estudios Sociales, Hipertexto, CIMEXUS (Revista de Investigaciones México-Estados Unidos), Continnuum, SCOLAS Journal, and Confluencia.

Dr. Martínez served as co-executive editor of Letras Hispanas from 2011 to 2023. He was also executive director (2011-2015) and president (2017-2018) of SCOLAS (Southwest Council of Latin American Studies). Organization in which he was recently name president-elect and will serve a second term as president from 2026 to 2028. During his tenure at SCOLAS he organized several Latin American Studies conferences in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Miami, Florida; Antigua, Guatemala; San Diego, California; San José, Costa Rica; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Campeche, México. Dr. Martínez has also directed Spanish language study abroad programs in Mexico, Spain, Costa Rica, and Ecuador for 19 years.

Some Honors and Awards: Harvey L. Johnson Publication Award (2024), Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching 2024), Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching (2024), International Studies Administrator of the Year Award College (2023), Faculty Award for Outstanding Achievement in International Education (2023), Achievement for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2015); College Achievement for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service (2014); Dean’s Nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Service (2013); Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Southwestern Studies (2013-2015); Alfred H. Nolle Chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honors Society, Favorite Professor (2012); Dean’s Nominee for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching (2010); and the Distinguished Professor, Panhellenic Teaching Award, Women of Texas State University (2008.)

When he has free time, he enjoys reading, traveling, taking long walks, cooking, and playing disc golf.