Dr. Diego Villada is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at SMCM. In his previous appointment, he served the people of Florida as the inaugural Director of the Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies program at New College of Florida, the public honors college of that state. Dr. Villada's production work centers on movement for the stage in the areas of directing, intimacy direction, and fight choreography. His academic research focuses on theatre pedagogy, contemporary Black drama, and contemporary Latin American performance.

Some of his mentors include world-renowned teachers and artists such as: Dr. Lisa Jackson-Schebetta, Dr. Michelle Granshaw, Rick Sordelet, J. David Brimmer, Dr. Tawnya Pettiford-Wates, Janet Rogers, Dr. Aaron Anderson, John David Lutz, Christia Ward, Andrea Kidd, Graciela Binghi, Chuck Meacham, and Kevin Cunningham. 

Dr. Villada has performed, directed, and choreographed for companies such as: Hostos Repertory Theatre (NYC), Nuyorican Poets Cafe (NYC), 3-Legged Dog Media & Theatre Group (NYC), Gallery Players (NYC), Chautauqua Theater Company (Chautauqua, NY), New Prospectives Theatre Company (NYC), M Ensemble (Miami, FL), Urbanite Theatre (Sarasota, FL), West Coast Black Theatre Troupe (Sarasota, FL), The Players Centre (Sarasota, FL), CreArte Latino Cultural Center (Sarasota, FL), The Barksdale Theater (Richmond, VA), and The Conciliation Project (Richmond, VA).

Dr. Villada's family is from Pereira, Colombia. He was born in New York City and raised in Miami, FL. He currently lives in St. Inigoes, MD. His partner Amelia Villada, is a doula, childbirth educator, and human resources professional. They have three kids: Aiden, Isla, and Ezra. Aside from being a lifelong martial artist, Dr. Villada is an aficionado of  Star Trek, jello, cheesecake, and single malt scotch.