Dr. Leonard joined Olivet’s full-time faculty in 2015, teaching elementary and intermediate Spanish, conversation and linguistics. She also enjoys working with students in her role as the department’s study abroad coordinator.
Prior to her work at Olivet, she taught Spanish courses at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Iowa, where she also served as the coordinator for first-year Spanish courses.
Dr. Leonard’s research interests focus on second language speaking and listening skills. Her research has been published in The Modern Language Journal, Canadian Modern Language Review, and System. She is the recipient of a presidential graduate fellowship and a research grant from the University of Iowa as well as a grant from the Hippenhammer Faculty Scholarship Fund at Olivet.She conducted her dissertation research in Argentina.
A native of Minnesota, Dr. Leonard enjoys visiting her parents, sister and brother-in-law there. Outside of the classroom, she relaxes by reading, hiking or playing the piano and guitar. Traveling is one of her favorite leisure activities.
