Dr. Florina Matu is Associate Professor of French at the U.S. Air Force Academy where she teaches and course directs all levels of language, contemporary and professional French for the Professions courses. Her research focuses on contemporary North-African Francophone Literature and Cinema and active teaching practices, in particular “students as partners”. In the summer of 2025, she lead a group of cadets for a three-week French language and culture immersion in Benin, West Africa.

Ph.D., French (2012)

Associate Professor of French, Department of Languages and Cultures, U.S. Air Force Academy (2024-present)

Assistant Professor of French, Department of Languages and Cultures, U.S. Air Force Academy (2020-2024)

Associate Professor of French, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, St. Edward’s University, Austin TX, (2019-2020).

Assistant Professor of French, Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures, St. Edward’s University, Austin TX, (2014-2019).

Instructor of French, Department of World Languages and Literatures, The University of Memphis (2012-2014)

Audience-voted poster award for the Project with Potential to make the greatest impact at USAFA (co-presented with Dr. Calli Holaway). Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Forum (2023).

3rd quarter – Civilian Cat III – USAFA Division of Humanities Winner. (2023)

Outstanding Academy Educator (2023)

4th quarter – Civilian Cat III – USAFA Dean of Faculty Winner. (2022)

Department of Foreign Languages Spotlight Award-U.S. Air Force Academy. (2022)

Department of Foreign Languages Outstanding First-year Instructor-U.S. Air Force Academy – (2021)