If you want to start a conversation with Liam Dewberry, pick your language.
The 25-year-old, who graduated from Dallas College on May 16 with his associate degree, is fluent in five languages (English, Spanish, Japanese, Mandarin and Korean) and knows a bit of French, Norwegian, Russian and German.
“I love languages,” he said. “I love learning about the different grammatical formulas, the nuances and cultural insights. I love how different languages have different ways of phrasing the same idea. I am also interested in different writing systems from around the world.”
In just a couple weeks, he is packing his bags for a trip to Japan. Dewberry will spend two weeks touring the country and teaching English on a group trip organized by the Fujiyata International Friendship Society. He is excited about testing his teaching skills as well as meeting new people and gaining cultural insights.
Dewberry began his Dallas College studies in Fall 2021 at Brookhaven Campus. “College life has been a fantastic experience,” he said, adding that he participated in a social skills group for people with disabilities. “I have a disability myself, ASD — autism spectrum disorder,” he explained.
“The social skills group was fascinating and fun,” Dewberry said. “I’ve learned and practiced a whole lot of new skills, particularly in the college setting — from interacting with peers and professors to tips on how to become a successful student.”
Accessibility Services offered him accommodations and made him feel welcome, he said, and the tutoring center in the Learning Commons assisted him when he needed extra help with precalculus and trigonometry.
Breina Webster, Accessibility Services senior case manager, was impressed with Dewberry’s achievements but also his kindness. “What sets Liam apart is not just his perseverance, but his commitment to others. His ability to adapt and lead with empathy made him a role model within our student community,” she said.
Dewberry also broadened his career outlook at Dallas College. He became interested in computer science, and his Spanish professor encouraged him to take a medical interpreter course.
“I have had meaningful and wonderful relationships with several faculty members who stood out, particularly my Spanish and Korean professors in the world languages department,” said Dewberry. “The professors genuinely care about my success. They took an interest in my passion for studying multiple languages and encouraged me to continue.”
This fall, Dewberry will begin studies at the University of North Texas. Unsurprisingly, his chosen major is linguistics. He will minor in computer science and Japanese.
As far as a career goal, Dewberry hasn’t narrowed it down just yet. “Through guidance from friends and professors, I’m looking into working in the technology industry as a computational linguist, working with things like AI, natural language processing and machine learning,” he said. But, he added, “I would also enjoy medical or courtroom interpreting. I find those things fun and interesting.”