2019 Latina of Influence María L. Villagómez, M.A., M.A.Ed. | Dean – Language Arts Napa Valley College
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to recognize María L. Villagómez, M.A., M.A.Ed. – Dean|Language Arts, Educational Support, Learning Technologies as a 2019 Latina of Influence. Ms. Villagómez along with our entire list of 2019 Latinas of Influence are invited to participate in Latina Conference 2019 taking place April 10 and 11, 2019 in Ontario, California.
Having joined the Napa Valley College faculty in 2000, Professor Villagómez has been a strong advocate for the Modern Languages Department and has developed new curriculum for the Spanish for Heritage Speaker’s Program including an Associate of Arts Degree for Spanish Majors. She has served on numerous NVC committees including the Curriculum Committee, the Professional Development Committee, the Faculty Ethics Committee, and the Faculty Senate and Faculty Association Executive Board. Currently, she serves as the 1st Vice-President of the NVC Faculty Senate and is also the Coordinator of the Modern Languages Program. Mrs. Villagómez has led numerous Spanish language programs to Mexico and Spain as well as cultural excursions to Spain, France, Italy, Greece, England, Peru, Cuba, Costa Rica and Japan.
Her professional career off campus includes being a consultant for Spanish standardized exams for Educational Testing Services as well as a Scoring Leader for the PRAXIS exam, a state-mandated exam for potential Spanish teachers. Moreover, Mrs. Villagómez has recently translated two children’s books for Boulden Publishing, both of which are valuable resources for building self-esteem and emotional stability for children and adults.
Mrs. Villagomez is the founder and Director of Spanish Language Consulting. Spanish Language Consulting was founded in 2007 with the purpose of offering professional advice on the authentic and accurate use of Spanish Language. Additionally, the firm offers training workshops on cultural competency as it relates to Spanish speaking communities. Maria served as the Spanish Language Consultant for the animated TV series “Nina’s World”, which Pipeline Studios produced for NBCUniversal/Sprout. “Nina’s World” pushed the boundaries in many areas, one in particular was its use of languages, multiculturalism, ethnic authenticity, and particularly the use of Spanish languages and all its associated cultural aspects. Maria’s role was to ensure that each episode’s use of Spanish dialog was grammatically correct, was to current and regional standards, and paid particularity close attention to being authentic. There, she had the privilege to work with Actor and Singer Ms. Rita Moreno!
Mrs. Villagómez has been active in various civic organizations including Napa-Solano Girl Scouts, Leadership Napa Valley, HOPE, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, as well as past board member of the Napa County Hispanic Network. In an effort to encourage future generations of Latina leaders, she has chaperoned college students to Latina Action Day for many years.
An important aspect of her life includes spending time with family. This includes her husband (a Professor of Political Science and Economics), fours sisters, eight nieces and nephews, her mother, grandmother and her son, John Michael.
