Bio
Dr. Eugênia Fernandes earned her Ph.D. in Linguistics (2015) from the University of Brasília. She specializes in Portuguese as a Second Language, Language for Specific Purposes, curriculum design for less commonly-taught languages, proficiency examinations, and multilingual practices. Her scholarship includes the co-authored open educational resources Plural: Português Pluricêntrico (Boavista Press, 2021; 2nd ed. 2023) and Plural: Português Pluricêntrico, a Workbook (2024), developed through a Title VI grant, as well as the monograph A língua portuguesa em contexto internacional: um guia para professores (2020). She has published peer-reviewed articles and book chapters on pluricentric Portuguese, heritage language pedagogy, and virtual collaboration. Dr. Fernandes has received multiple national and international awards, including the Notable Faculty Recognition (FIU, 2025), Excellence in Teaching LCTLs Honorable Mention (CLASP, 2025), Excellence in Service Award (ACTFL, 2023), and the National Interest Waiver for National Security (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023). She was also named Portuguese Language Professor of the Year and received the Academic Publication of the Year by the American Organization of Teachers of Portuguese (2022). She currently serves as President of the American Organization of Teachers of Portuguese (AOTP).