Dr. Erin Real joined the CUC Athletic Department as the Faculty Athletic Representative in the fall of 2024.
In her role as the FAR, Dr. Real bridges the gap between academics and athletics, advocating for student-athlete success both on and off the field. Among her notable contributions, she implemented a departmental book study to foster continued professional development among athletic staff, promoting deeper conversations around mentorship and vocation.
Dr. Real played a pivotal role in securing a two-year grant from the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), which supports the Athletic-Faculty Staff Mentorship Program. This initiative enhances vocational exploration at the intersection of athletics and academics, enriching the mentorship experiences available to Concordia's student-athletes.Â
Prior to her current appointment, she served as the Faculty Mentor for the men and women's cross country teams from 2021-2025. She has been a faculty member at CUC since 2006, initially as Assistant Professor of Spanish and currently as Associate Professor and Spanish Program Leader. In her academic role, she has developed and taught a wide range of courses in Spanish language, Hispanic linguistics, and cultural studies while also leading curricular design, program evaluation, and accreditation reporting for Spanish education programs.Â
Dr. Real earned her BA in Spanish from Western Illinois before earning her MA in Spanish from University of Wisconsin-Madison and going on to earn her Doctor of Philosophy from Indiana State University with an emphasis on Curriculum and Instruction and Langauge Education Specialization.Â
