Ph.D. Romance Languages (Spanish and French), University of Oklahoma, Study Abroad Programs include: the Sorbonne, Centre d'Estudes Superieures de Civilisation Medievale, Universidad de Costa Rica.

Dr. Colleen Hays' areas of specialization include: French medieval literature, the reception of the French epic in nineteenth-century France, nineteenth-century French civilization and culture (particularly concerning nationalism and the colonization of Algeria), and recent French films concerning the integration of French citizens descended from Maghrebians into French culture.