Christine Garst-Santos

Title

Director and Associate Professor of Spanish

Office Building

Lincoln Hall

Office

132A

Mailing Address

Lincoln Hall 132A
School of American and Global Studies-Box 2212
University Station
Brookings, SD 57007

Biography

Dr. Christine Garst-Santos is an associate professor of Spanish and the inaugural director of the School of American and Global Studies. Christi began serving as interim department head of modern languages and global studies in 2017, leading the department through academic and organizational transitions to the formation of the School of American and Global Studies in 2019. The school houses seven majors, 10 minors and six interdisciplinary certificates as well as three active research and outreach units: The Ethics Lab, The South Dakota Polling Project and the Public Humanities Initiative. Christi is a Cervantes scholar by training and her current projects explore what early modern Spanish literature and culture can teach us about our own disinformation age. Ensuring that the liberal arts are central to the school’s (and university’s) land-grant mission is her calling. For example, Christi has developed or co-developed several collaborative outreach projects that work to create flourishing local communities through ESL classes for agricultural workers, cultural venues for immigrants and refugees in Sioux Falls, Lakota language revitalization projects, intercultural competence trainings for industry partners and civic engagement through a new public service academy.

Education

Ph.D. in Spanish literature | University of Iowa | 2013
M.A. in Spanish with a Certification in Chicano Studies | Colorado State University
B.A. in Spanish | Colorado State University

Academic Interests

Cervantes
Christian-Muslim relations in the early modern mediterranean
Gender and performance studies
Spanish civil war
Immigration in contemporary Spain and the U.S.
Intercultural competence and diversity training
Medieval Spanish literature
Spanish American narrative, colonial to present

Awards and Honors

2024, Dr. Harold and Barbara Bailey Award for Excellence in Academic Department/School Leadership, South Dakota State University
2022, Office of International Affairs Global Engagement Award for Outstanding Contributions to International Education and Leadership, Presented to the School of American and Global Studies, South Dakota State University
2018-2019, J.P. Hendrickson Liberal Arts Faculty Scholar Award, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
2017, Faculty Award for Global Engagement: Internationalizing the Student Experience, SDSU Office of International Affairs and Outreach
2013, Edward Patrick Hogan Award for Teaching Excellence, South Dakota State University
2009, 2013, Students’ Association Teacher of the Year, College of Arts and Sciences, South Dakota State University

Grants

Kirschner, L. A. and Garst-Santos, C. South Dakota Humanities Council, November 28, 2017 - July 31, 2019, $2,000.00.
Caquot Baggett, M.-P. E. and Garst-Santos, C. A. "Intra-Departmental Learning Communities." Faculty Excellence, South Dakota State University, 2013-2016, $5,000.00.
Garst-Santos, C. A. "3rd Annual Spanish Undergraduate Research Conference Funding." University Program Council, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Community, South Dakota State University, 2015, $3,300.00.
Garst-Santos, C. A. "Week to End Violence against Women Program." University Program Council, South Dakota State University, 2013, $3,500.00.
Garst-Santos, C. A. "Women and Giving International Research Grant." Women's Giving Circle, South Dakota State University, 2012, $2,000.00.

Department(s)

Image for School of American and Global Studies
School of American and Global Studies
Image for College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences