Undocumented Student Support Graduate Assistant
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Danny Meléndez was born and raised in Carora, a small town known for its dry climate in western Venezuela. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, reflecting his passion for both teaching and language. His intellectual curiosity led him to pursue further studies, earning a Master of Arts in Spanish Linguistics. Currently, he is completing a PhD in Spanish Linguistics at the University of Illinois. His research interests include bilingualism, first and second language acquisition, and psycholinguistics, with a particular focus on the development and ultimate attainment of Spanish morphosyntax among Spanish speakers in the United States. In his free time, Danny enjoys lifting weights, biking, listening to reguetón, and helping others achieve their full potential.