What is your favorite thing about NKU?
My favorite thing about NKU are the students, no doubt. Every day as I enter the hallway of the second or third floor of MEP, I can recognize voices. For some reason my students are often the loudest voices that you will hear all the way to the end of the hall. Students are always punctual, which for me is strange because I am always running late to everything. Even at 9 a.m. they are already all charged up. Prior to my arrival to the classroom, the students are sharing something in Spanish that they found in the internet, and that is usually how my class will start. From silly songs that will help them memorize countries and capitals, to the newest Latin video or gossip in social media about their favorite celebrities, I get to hear it all. Everything that I know about pop culture is because I literally learned it in the classroom. Their excitement is contagious.

Where is your favorite spot on campus? What makes that spot so special?
Favorite spot on campus is the lobby area outside African American Student Initiatives and Latino Programs and Services. I will say that this is the most energized spot around campus. You will always find the most dynamic and diverse group of students there. There is always a very strong spirit of camaraderie and solidarity within the students who often hang around that area.

What is the first word that comes to mind when you think about NKU?
First word is “Me.” I have been at NKU for such a long time (about 29 years) that NKU is kind of my second nature.

What is your favorite way to spend your free time?
My favorite way to spend my free time is to bike ride, walk long distances, watch movies and read. At NKU, we do work hard (that is students, faculty and staff) so when I am outside NKU I often give myself ample free time to relax and recharge.

What is your greatest passion?
Greatest passion is social justice. I live in Ohio, but ironically, it was at NKU that I became an activist. It was through the students that I met on campus that I met other community leaders. The northern Kentucky region has the largest amount of individuals and organizations watching for the best interest of the community. Northern Kentucky is a fertile ground to challenge ridiculous and discriminatory policies and you don’t have to do it alone, there are lots of people and organizations that you can join to fight injustice. 

Tell us anything else about yourself and/or NKU that you want folks to know.
From my bio: A native from Puerto Rico, Irene Encarnación is a Cal Berkeley graduate with 29+ year experience leading successful educational and community outreach initiatives in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati Area. Irene has been the recipient of multiple awards, including: UC Clermont College Faculty Award for Promoting Good Student/Faculty Relations, Centro de Amistad & St. Mary’s Basilica Alma Latina Award, NKU Faculty Excellence Award for Sustained Outreach and Public Engagement, Dolores Huerta Social Activist Award, College of Arts and Sciences Humanities Big Dog of the Month Recognition, SPARK Commitment to Diversity Award, ELL Foundation Educator of the Year Award, LULAC Ohio Rosa Caskey Leadership Award, and Teacher Diversity Matters National Symposium Recognition.