WKU News

What began as a love for learning Spanish at Western Kentucky University has evolved into a career dedicated to transforming language education. Stephanie Knight, now Senior Director of Learning at LingroLearning, credits her time as a Spanish major at WKU as the foundation for a professional journey that has taken her from the classroom to educational leadership, research, and innovation.

"I studied Spanish at WKU for a simple reason—I loved it," Knight shared. "Looking back, my time as a Spanish major was the spark that ignited everything."

Since graduating from WKU, Knight has earned a master's degree in Latin American Studies with concentrations in Economics and International Marketing from the University of New Mexico and a doctorate in Education Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Tennessee. Along the way, she has served as a middle and high school Spanish teacher, an International Baccalaureate program coordinator, a community college adjunct instructor, and spent nearly a decade at the Center for Applied Second Language Studies at the University of Oregon before joining LingroLearning.

Each step, she says, traces back to the curiosity and passion that began in WKU's Modern Languages program.

Today, Knight leads learning initiatives at LingroLearning, the world's first language learning studio, where her work focuses on the intersection of technology, pedagogy, and equitable access to education. Her research explores how innovative approaches can improve language learning while ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to succeed.

One of her most meaningful research projects centered on helping educators better understand intercultural communication. Through workshops with public school teachers from a variety of subject areas, Knight introduced concepts of intercultural and pragmatic competence, encouraging participants to recognize and value the diverse communication styles students bring into the classroom.

“I believe it's impossible to move through today's globalized, culturally hybridized world without having intercultural experiences,” Knight shares.

“The research I did for my doctorate explored just that.” The impact was significant. She found that educators became more accepting of students' differing communication norms and left the workshops with plans to make their classrooms more inclusive through changes in instruction and assessment practices.

“What differentiates language learners, educators, and practitioners from the average human is our awareness of this reality,” Knight expresses with excitement.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape education and communication, Knight believes language students possess an advantage that technology cannot replicate.

"AI can generate grammatically correct language," she said, "but people are adaptive, creative, flexible communicators. Those are the skills that will help you stand out to employers and serve your communities."

Looking back, Knight acknowledges that she never could have predicted where her Spanish degree would lead. Many of the careers she has pursued, including her current role, didn't even exist when she was an undergraduate student.

Rather than following a perfectly planned path, she embraced opportunities that genuinely excited her, allowing each experience to open the door to the next.

"I never could have mapped the route from a Spanish classroom at WKU to teaching, to research, to a doctorate, to the world's first language learning studio," she reflected. "I just kept opening doors that genuinely excited me, and that led to an enriching life filled with incredible people and experiences."

Uniquely, Knight also encourages students to remain curious about the future of communication, especially as AI continues to evolve.

"The most interesting chapter may just be the one we're writing now," she said. "It's the chapter that captures what human communication means in an AI era."

Reflecting back, Knight remains grateful for the faculty who influenced her journey, giving special recognition to Dr. Melissa Stewart for inspiring her growth as both a writer and scholar.

Knight shares, “If you want to sharpen your writing along the way, I couldn't recommend Dr. Stewart's classes more highly. She taught me that even a Latin Americanist could find absolute delight in studying Spain.”

For students considering a language degree, Knight's story serves as a reminder that a passion for languages can open doors far beyond the classroom. Her advice serves as a refreshing tip to stand in what makes you unique while developing your career.

Interested in learning more about Stephanie’s path? Connect on LinkedIn! Find her here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-wp-knight/