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Contributors

IRIS Project's ability to positively impact interpreters and mentors in rural areas is dependent on the substantial contribution and dedication of many organizations and individuals. 

They have our gratitude! 

Organizations

Logo for National Deaf Interpreters

Logo for Alabama RID

Logo for RID

Logo for Southearstern Interpreter Guidance Network

Logo of Vancro Integrated Interpreting Services

Logo for Bridge Communications

IRIS Project Council of Experts

The IRIS Project Council of Experts is an advisory body whose purpose is to keep IRIS on track of the big picture of the project, provide input on the project’s key activities, address issues of concern in the training of rural interpreters, and possibly develop strategies to address these concerns. This council includes a wide range of perspectives at the local level and provides a setting in each target state for its stakeholders’ interests to be addressed including deaf consumers of interpreter services, rural interpreters, Vocational Rehabilitation personnel, Interpreter Education Programs, interpreter educators, and others.

2022 Council of Experts

by last name

  • Beck, Kalen - CI and CT; Interpreter Mentor, State of Nevada 
  • Burich, Stefanie - Administrator/Interpreter Coordinator, Alaska Court Systems 
  • Eslick, April - Interpreter Pratitioner
  • Makowski, Deborah - BS; CI and CT; Coordinator, Southeastern Interpreter Guidance Network at Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind 
  • Parrish, Kate - VocRehab Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services 
  • Phillips, LaNae - M.A.; Instructional Coordinator 
  • Shaffer, Laurie R. - Ph.D; CI/CT/NIC-A/EIPA 4.5; Director and Assistant Professor University of New Hampshire - Manchester ASL/English Interpreting Program 
  • Siegel, Laura - MBA; Director of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind Services/ State of Vermont's Department of Disability, Aging, and Independent Living

2023 Council of Experts

by last name

  • Brown, Bradley - M.S.; ASL Lecturer, University of Vermont
  • Brysch, Sunny - M.A.; Director, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, American Sign Language Studies
  • Hoffman, Dan - Ed.D; DI. Assistant Director & Sr. Lecturer- University of New Hampshire @Manchester- ASL/English Interpreting Program.
  • Humlicek, Gabby - M.A in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling; Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf
  • Ivanko, Tia-Nikki - M.S.; NIC; Co-Director, National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes
  • Makowski, Deborah - BS; CI and CT; Coordinator, Southeastern Interpreter Guidance Network at Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind 
  • Matthews, Dennis - Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Monts-Tréviska, Ashanti - M.A.; Community Steward/Owner, Cascadia Deaf Nation
  • O'Bleness, Angie - M.A.; RID: K-12; NIC; Instructor/Mentor
  • Shaffer, Laurie R. - Ph.D; CI/CT/NIC-A/EIPA 4.5; Director and Assistant Professor University of New Hampshire - Manchester ASL/English Interpreting Program 

Individuals

by last name; NOTE: The first column is last names starting with A-P and the second column is last names starting with R-Z.

  • Ballentine, Pauline M. - CDI
  • Bloom, Carrie Lou - PhD
  • Brown, Susan E.
  • Brysch, Sunny
  • Chappell, Summer - MS, CRC, Certified Interpreter
  • Clark, Stephanie - Deaf Interpreter
  • DeLuca, Dan - Ed.M., CI, EIPA, Certified Teacher K-12 Deaf
  • Essex, Mary - CDI
  • Gates, Jennifer
  • Gibbs, Shana
  • Girardin, Dr. Emily Ed.D., Ed:K-12  
  • Glaser, Paul - MSE, CDI
  • Gomezwall, Marissa
  • Gough, Daniel
  • Hoffman, Dan
  • Horch, Bryan - Filmmaker
  • Johnson, Dr. Leilani
  • Johnson, Marva - NIC
  • Klindtworth, Melissa - NIC Advanced, QMHI, EIPA 4.9
  • Leitson-Grabelsky, Shira
  • Marsh, Trenton
  • McClurkan, Alicia
  • McQuaid, Chris - NIC, Coda
  • Monohan, Michelle - MLS, CI, CT, NIC Master, SC:L, EIPA 4.7
  • Myers, Kenton - NIC, QMHI, ABICE, CHI™, CMI-Spanish, CoreCHI-P™, BEI Advanced, BEI Trilingual Advanced, Alabama Court Certified
  • Pascall-Speights, Randee - CDI
  • Pellerin, René
  • Quiroga, Jeremy
  • Richardson, Lesley - NAD V, NIC, SC:L
  • Rogers, Jennifer - Deaf Interpreter
  • Robinson, Octavian, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Deaf Studies, Gallaudet University
  • Roth, Tara - CI, NIC Master
  • Sanders-Sigmon, Erin - Level II State Screened DI, PLI, QDI
  • Stubbs, Steven G. - CDI, CLIP-R
  • Stuckless, Rebecca - CI, CT, SC:L
  • Toledo, Joe - Deaf Interpreter
  • Thomas, Cheryl - CI, CT, NAD V, NIC Master, SC:L
  • Velez, Elisa M. - BSW, MASLED
  • Vriezen, Shawn - CDI, QMHI
  • Walker, Donna - CI, CT, NIC Advanced, SC:L, QMHI
  • Webb, Jonathan - Ph.D, CI, CT, NIC Advanced
  • West Oyedele, Erica - MA, NIC
  • Williamson, Amy - Ph.D, CI, CT, Ed:K-12, SC:L

Grant Recognition

The contents of this website were developed under a grant (H160D210006) from the Department of Education. HD160D210006 (University of Northern Colorado) IRIS Project - Improving Rural Interpreter Skills was one of several interpreter training projects to receive funding under Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.160D: 2021-2026. IRIS was awarded under Specialty Area 5, field initiated, in the topic area of improving rural interpreting skills.

The contents of the IRIS Project website does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).

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