Howard Payne University is using Spanish-language and Hispanic-culture studies to prepare students for careers serving increasingly bilingual communities in Brownwood, Texas, and beyond.
The university’s Department of Spanish and Hispanic Studies offers a Spanish minor that complements every major area of study. Faculty say the program can give students a practical advantage in the workforce by combining language ability with an understanding of Hispanic culture.
That preparation was discussed during a university seminar class taught by Dr. Laci Sutton, dean of the School of Nursing and assistant professor of nursing. Students heard from Dr. Danny Brunette-López, professor of Spanish and chair of the Department of Spanish; Martha Treviño-Brunette, university nurse and NATCEP director; and Dr. Roy Byrd, an internal medicine physician in Brownwood.
Spanish skills connected to multiple careers
Howard Payne said the Spanish minor is intended for students across the university, not only those pursuing language-focused careers. Depending on a student’s profession, the language and cultural training could become an important factor in a job search.
Students preparing for health care, ministry, education, business, social work and criminal justice can use Spanish proficiency to communicate more effectively with Spanish-speaking communities. In addition to vocabulary and grammar, the program emphasizes cultural awareness, critical thinking and communication across language barriers.
Brunette-López said the broader goal is to help students approach their future professions with greater understanding and respect. He also connected the program to Howard Payne’s Christ-centered educational mission and its emphasis on building relationships across cultures.
“Whether pursuing careers in health care, ministry, education, business, social work or criminal justice, students can develop the ability to communicate more effectively with Spanish-speaking communities,” said Dr. Brunette-López.
The university said Hispanic and Spanish-speaking populations are continuing to grow in Texas and across the United States, increasing the need for professionals who can work effectively in multicultural settings.
Health care example highlighted in Brownwood
The seminar used health care to show how Spanish-language ability can affect everyday professional service. Treviño-Brunette and Byrd discussed the importance of understanding Spanish with students and encouraged them to consider adding the minor to their academic plans.
Treviño-Brunette said communication in a patient’s own language, combined with awareness of cultural beliefs and traditions, can help health care workers build trust and make care more personal. That approach is especially relevant to students preparing for medical, nursing and other patient-facing careers in Brownwood.
“Understanding Hispanic culture and the Spanish language allows healthcare professionals to build trust, communicate more effectively and provide compassionate, patient-centered care,” said Martha Brunette.
Howard Payne identified several students whose experiences illustrate the program’s goals. Ana Faulk, a junior history and Honors Academy major from Alvarado, is pursuing the minor to develop skills she expects to use in her future career. She said learning Spanish has created more opportunities to connect with other people while challenging her in formative ways.
“There’s so much inherent value in learning any language, and Spanish is especially important to know with the growing number of Spanish-speakers living in the United States,” said Faulk.
Brownwood student links Spanish to future medical career
For Magaly Cervantes, a senior biomedical science major from Brownwood, the minor has both a family and career connection. Spanish is her first language and the primary language spoken in her family, and she said the coursework is helping strengthen her language skills as she prepares for a future in medicine.
Cervantes said understanding Spanish and Hispanic culture will help her connect with Spanish-speaking patients and provide compassionate care. Her experience reflects Howard Payne’s broader argument that language study can support students’ chosen professions while strengthening their relationships with family and community.
“I recognize how important it is to understand both the Spanish language and Hispanic culture,” said Cervantes.
Howard Payne said the Spanish minor supports its mission of preparing graduates to use their knowledge, skills and talents in service to God and humanity. The university was founded in 1889 and describes itself as a Christ-centered liberal arts institution with more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools and three locations.