As Associate Director for Academic Affairs, Adela Penagos works closely with faculty, chairs, and Deans to address the academic needs of the BU campus and to ensure appropriate academic opportunities overseas, enhancing students’ overall educational experiences. She also develops and maintains the academic integrity of Boston University Study Abroad and works with the director and faculty on-site to assess, advise, and update academic policies and procedures.
Prior to joining BU Study Abroad, Adela was the Associate Dean of the College for Advising and Mentoring and the Dean of the Senior Class at Smith College. At Smith, she oversaw the Class Deans Office, the Lazarus Center for Career Development, and the Fellowships Office. She played a key role in digitizing the Class Deans Office, implementing Workday, and reviewing and approving the graduation path of and for students studying abroad while working closely with faculty and chairs. Adela has extensive academic advising and teaching experience in Hispanic Language, Literatures, and Cultures at Boston College, the U.S. Naval Academy, MIT, Harvard, and the University of Notre Dame.
Adela completed her undergraduate degree in Modern Languages, cum laude, at Knox College, her master’s degree in Spanish literature at the University of Notre Dame, and her doctorate degree in Hispanic Language and Literatures at Boston University.
She has been a member of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA) and participated in the NAFSA Academy for International Education, Class VII. Originally from Córdoba, Veracruz, Mexico, Adela first studied abroad in the U.S. during her sophomore year in high school. The transformational nature of this experience persuaded her to attend college in the U.S. and study abroad in Bensaçon, France. Most recently, she spent time in a creative writing workshop in Inis Mór Island, Ireland and participated in an immersion leadership course in Spain and Italy.