Amalia E. Merino, Ph.D.
Hispanic Academic Success Coordinator
Hometown: Brownsville, Tx
About Me: I’m originally from the Rio Grande Valley and a proud first-generation college graduate. I earned my B.A. in Linguistics and Spanish, followed by an M.A. and Ph.D. in Iberian and Latin American Languages and Cultures from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in Sociolinguistics and Heritage Language Acquisition. In 2023, I joined Southwestern University as the inaugural Hispanic Student Success Coordinator—now the Hispanic Academic Success Coordinator. That same year, I founded LatinXcel and have proudly led the program since its launch, fostering community and supporting student achievement. In addition to LatinXcel, I’m involved with initiatives like BUCS, PASS, and collaborative cross-campus efforts aimed at helping students thrive throughout their Southwestern journey. Outside of work, you’ll often find me out on the trails with my family or discovering new places to eat. I look forward to meeting you so please don’t hesitate to stop by or reach out anytime!
Email: merinoa@southwestern.edu
Phone: (512)863-1820
Office: Prothro Center 129