Rachel Sangster Garza, Ph.D., a visiting assistant professor of Spanish in the Department of Languages & Literature at Sul Ross State University, had her doctoral dissertation published by ProQuest, a leading international repository for scholarly research.

Dr. Sangster Garza’s dissertation examines Spanish dialectal variation in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with particular attention to the region’s identity as a borderlands space in Texas. Her research explores how linguistic patterns reflect the social, cultural and historical realities of life along the U.S.–Mexico border, contributing to broader conversations in Hispanic linguistics, sociolinguistics and borderlands studies.

By centering the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Sangster Garza’s work highlights the importance of regional Spanish varieties that are often underrepresented in academic scholarship. Her research underscores how language functions not only as a means of communication, but also as a marker of identity shaped by geography, migration and cultural exchange.

“This work affirms the academic value of borderlands Spanish and the lived linguistic experiences of speakers in South Texas,” said Sangster Garza. “It is especially meaningful to see research rooted in Texas communities reach a global scholarly audience.”

The publication of this dissertation through ProQuest makes the research accessible to scholars, educators and students worldwide, further elevating SRSU’s commitment to impactful research and teaching.

Dr. Sangster Garza teaches Spanish language courses and is actively engaged in research that connects language, place and identity.

The dissertation is available through ProQuest at www.proquest.com/docview/3297300958.

Photo: Dr. Rachel Sangster Garza at her dissertation defense last December.