A faculty-in-residence journey: Sandra Valnes Quammen

At most universities, students are accustomed to hearing a professor lecture from the front of a classroom. But for students living on Duke’s East Campus, they can also hear their professor conversing with them in a much more personal, conversational setting: their dorm. 

“It’s an unconventional way of living, but it’s been incredibly rewarding to see students grow and connect in ways that go beyond the classroom,” says Sandra Valnes Quammen A.M.’06, faculty-in-residence at Blackwell Dorm and director of the university’s French program.  

Valnes Quammen doesn’t just live in the dorm; she actively engages with students to create a community that bridges academic learning and residential life. Her role as both an educator and a mentor allows her to foster an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, whether in their academic studies or their personal lives. 

“Living on campus with students gives me the opportunity to create deeper, more organic connections with them,” says Valnes Quammen. “It’s not just about having intellectual conversations in class; it’s about building a community where students feel supported in every way.” 

Though Valnes Quammen’s primary role is in the classroom, her work as a faculty-in-residence provides a new, dynamic setting for fostering intellectual and cultural exchange. She hopes to host informal “language hours” where students can practice French, Spanish and English—often overlapping languages in a multilingual, relaxed atmosphere.  

“It’s not just about having intellectual conversations in class; it’s about building a community where students feel supported in every way.”  ”

Sandra Valnes Quammen

Senior Lecturer of Linguistics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

The goal? Encouraging students to use their language skills beyond the classroom and creating a space where they can confidently experiment with communication. 

Valnes Quammen’s faculty-in-residence role mirrors the innovative approach she champions in class with her “Translanguaging Fridays.” Returning for the fall 2025 semester, students from French 111 and Spanish 111 come together and are encouraged to use a mix of languages as they engage with course material, solve problems and discuss cultural issues. Just as she does in her dorm, Valnes Quammen embraces the idea that students learn best when they are able to express themselves freely, without the fear of making mistakes. 

“The power of translanguaging is that it breaks down the barriers between languages and encourages students to explore,” she says. 

Valnes Quammen’s work in Blackwell is closely aligned with the goals of Duke’s QuadEx initiative. QuadEx aims to foster community and connection within the residential experience, making dorms not just places to live but spaces for learning, growth and mentorship. Faculty-in-residence are central to this mission. 

“We are part of a larger community-building effort,” says Valnes Quammen. “Students can come to me with any kind of question, not just academic ones. I want to be a resource for them in all areas of life, not just their studies.”