Iowa is a multiethnic, multiracial and multilingual state.  

Spanish is not a foreign language. It is the second most spoken language in Iowa, as more than 130,000 Iowa residents speak Spanish at home.

Latinos and Hispanics comprise 6.3% of Iowa’s total population. Not all Latinas/os/xs speak Spanish.

The Portuguese language and Lusophone cultures are crucial to Iowa and the United States. 25,520 Portuguese speakers live in the Midwest and 692,500 in the United States.

We, the faculty of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, are committed to continuing to promote understanding of and respect for different Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures in Iowa, the United States, and throughout the world.

We aspire to promote access, opportunity, and diversity in all aspects of our teaching, research, and service.

Access, opportunity, and diversity in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The principles of access, opportunity, and diversity are fundamental to the mission of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Iowa, as we conduct our work in the context of the whole of humanity.

• In our teaching, we encourage exploration, inquiry, and the questioning of the many facets of human experience and understanding.
• In our research, scholarship, and creativity, we generate new knowledge and perspectives, while reflecting and shaping the cultures and societies in which we live.
• In our service to Iowans, we partner with communities to address critical challenges and foster leadership in a global context.

By embracing this vision together, we are laying a strong foundation that empowers all Hawkeyes to succeed and lead in a diverse and ever-changing world.

With a commitment to meeting accreditation requirements, upholding the professional code of ethics, and aligning with Higher Learning Commission standards throughout CLAS, we strive to maintain the highest standards of integrity and excellence.