Iris Leal-Contreras
Class: 2016
Graduated with a French major in 2016
"Studying the French language set me on a path that I couldn’t have created on my own. My year abroad in Strasbourg, France truly motivated me to pursue a degree in French. I never really knew what I wanted to do in life, but I knew I wanted my future to be surrounded by languages and travel. I chose to study what I love, and found a passion. I am intrigued in learning as many languages as I can, along with their culture. The French and Modern Language Department at SSU has a group of professors and faculty members who simply “get it.” They are supportive in your pursuits, and offer great guidance! Currently, I am studying to be a high school French teacher, and hopefully inspire students from an earlier age than college to explore the study of culture and language, to embark into something unknown to them. Before I set foot in a classroom of my own, I wish to work in France as a teacher’s assistant teaching English to elementary students, then look towards pursuing a Master's degree in either French or Linguistics, or perhaps both, who knows! I simply know that I have tasted a small piece of the world, and my journey has only begun.
Update:
Iris now works at College of the Redwoods as an Academic Advisor for their TRIO Student Support Services program. As an alumna of this program herself, it truly is a full circle moment for her to be giving back to her small hometown community. She says, “I have never thought I could love a job as much I love this one, and I’m so excited to support students through their own academic journey now being on the other side of my own. It is truly rewarding and an honor to be back where I started, now as an advisor!”
After graduating from SSU, Iris went on to try a couple different Master’s programs in teaching and also public administration and eventually found her heart set in nonprofit administration. While she used Spanish more than French, she had a great side business tutoring French to elementary students around Sonoma County. Her love for travel is still as grand as before, and hopes for another Euro Rail tour soon! As of now, Iris and her longtime partner Gustavo (also a SSU alumnus!) recently bought a house in her small coastal hometown in Northern California and now reside there with their new puppy, a Siberian Husky named Rio.