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USI campus to reopen, classes resume, January 28

Change is never easy, and we know this is a challenging time as you navigate recent announcements affecting programs and operations at Oakland City University. We want you to know that your educational journey doesn’t have to pause.

At the University of Southern Indiana, we are fully committed to helping you transition seamlessly so you can stay on track with your education journey. We’ve designed this dedicated page specifically for you to explore our programs, access resources, learn about credit transfers and continue your education with minimal interruption.

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Professional headshot of Manuel Apodaca-Valdez

Manuel Apodaca-Valdez

About the Expert

Manuel Apodaca-Valdez was born in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1959. He's resided in the United States since 1998. He earned a doctorate in comparative literature from Purdue University in 2006. He also holds a master’s degree in Spanish linguistics from Purdue University (2002) and a bachelor's of arts in Hispanic Language and Literature from the University of Guanajuato, Mexico (1995). He is currently a Professor of Spanish in the USI World Languages and Cultures Department where he has taught since 2009. His research areas are Afro-Latin American studies, Spanish American literatures and Spanish teaching. He has conducted extensive field research about the African diaspora, particularly about confraternities of African descendants in Spain, Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Cuba. He also has conducted archival research about the history of Latin American and Spanish diasporas in 16 archival institutions of various countries including Spain, Mexico, Peru, Santo Domingo and Cuba. His book, Cofradias Afrohispánicas, is a compendium of his extensive research on these topics and areas of study.