Lianne Moccia has served as an activist within the interpreting community for many years. She has been a constant force in the interpreting communities of Vermont and New Hampshire throughout her career. Her roles have been both formal and informal in moving the profession forward through her thought provoking questioning of the status quo and her commitment to seeking solutions. Lianne has been committed to change within the system of structured formality of certification under the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, but more importantly, through remaining curious and questioning of the services being provided by colleagues on a day-to-day basis. This chapter is part of a collaborative project of the students and faculty of Western Oregon University’s Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies. This chapter chronicles Lianne Moccia’s path from curious student to change agent within the northern New England interpreting community.
Citation: Williamson, Amy C. (2017) “Activist = Interpreter = Activist,” Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Case Studies: Vol. 1 , Article 3.
As the field of interpreting has become more professionalized, there are those who feel a disconnect between the work and the spirit of the profession. Gina Gonzalez is a trilingual interpreter and grass roots activist who seeks a return to the roots of the profession: serving the Deaf community with spirit. She proposes a new integrative model of interpreting that challenges the current paradigm. Her activism and pursuit of authentic dialogue puts her at the forefront of change in her community.
Citation: Ulloa, Audrey W. (2017) “As Much As Air: Integrating Spirit Into Our Work,” Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Case Studies: Vol. 1 , Article 4.
In an effort to bring recognition to leaders in the field of interpreting and interpreter education, graduate students pursuing a Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies selected a local community leader to spotlight. Dr. Jacqueline Bruce, affectionately known as Jackie Bruce was selected for interview because of her commitment to the field of signed language interpreting and her passion for educating and mentoring interpreters. Dr. Bruce’s educational opportunities served as a springboard for her successful journey. Although she never thought of herself as a leader, she exhibits leadership qualities recognized by everyone she comes in contact with. Her path to becoming a leader has been paved with a colorful patchwork of opportunities filled with twists and turns that have allowed her to settle into a comfortable place that serves the community who supported her along the way.
Citation: Shambourger, Nicole (2017) “A Passion that Leads to Destiny,” Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Case Studies: Vol. 1 , Article 5.
This chapter chronicles the career of Daniel B. Veltri, certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter for over thirty-five years. A maverick that upholds language accessibility and authenticity, he was an early adopter of video production as a tool to assist in developing signed language interpreters. Significant as Dan’s video work continues to be, his contribution to mental health interpreting shaped how practitioners view therapeutic triad relationships.
This is the story of one interpreter’s pathway into the field of interpreting. During an interview that took place on July 24, 2014, she shared her concerns for the community of signed language interpreters and her aspirations for us to do more. She demonstrates for us that leadership may take a variety of forms; It can happen behind the scenes, in service positions, or through the encouragement and support of others. We learn that personal growth happens just by virtue of being present and open to the people and opportunities that surround us. Always fueled by a desire to do, give, and love more, Jeannette Ocampo “JO” Welch teaches us how to be compassionate practitioners and leaders in the field of signed language interpreting.
Citation: Oyedele, Erica West (2017) “Doing Leadership: Caring for Our Communities,” Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Case Studies: Vol. 1 , Article 7.
Leaders are thought to be the ones who are bold, do big things, and make big changes. We have made leaders into individuals who ‘change the world’ (Dudley, 2010). The reality is that there are leaders who do not live to have their names in the headlines or seek to do extraordinary, heroic acts. They are those who live in our community with humility. They impact the lives of others by being themselves, fulfilling the task at hand, and showing respect to others. In the field of sign language interpreting, Marian Lage is a leader.
This article is part of a collaborative project by students and faculty in the Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies program, class of 2014, at Western Oregon University. The goal of the project is to recognize and honor leaders in the interpreting and interpreter education fields. Debra (Deb) Russell has a long history of serving in leadership roles in varying capacities from local communities to the international stage. She is known as a person of integrity and humanity with a passion for building and connecting communities at home and across the globe. I had the privilege of meeting with Deb to find out where her passion stems from and where she finds inspiration and the motivation to serve. What follows is an inspirational tale of one person’s unselfish determination to engage in and foster collaborations across communities that serve to uphold the linguistic, cultural, and human rights of what have long been an underserved, underrepresented, and oppressed people.
Citation: Grooms, Christopher (2017) “Debra Russell: A Leader for All Occasions,” Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies (MAIS) Case Studies: Vol. 1 , Article 9.
This paper is a look into the life and accomplishments of Marilyn Mitchell. She has used role models to exemplify what it means to be a leader in an emerging profession. Through her involvement she has helped to shape the face of interpreting education and services to allow it to become what it is today.
Chuck Gramly has been an inspiration to several generations of American Sign Language (ASL)/English interpreters in the Central Ohio community. His leadership, guidance, and passion for ASL and the Deaf community lives in the hearts of all whom have had the pleasure of knowing him. As an interpreter and interpreter educator, Chuck made his mark on the budding profession of interpreting that has come to be what it is today. Through his teaching, involvement in the local community as well as state and national organizations, Chuck’s life work has ignited a passion in others that boils down to three things: respect for language and community, respect for the profession, and respect for one another
From 2005 to 2010 Xenia Woods served as a leader and mentor in my rural community of Humboldt County, CA, and has paved the way for many interpreters to gain the skills they need in the profession. Her contributions to the community have been long-lasting and have had a huge impact on me personally. Her long term commitment to reach out and assist newer interpreters in the profession is impressive. Xenia has a giving spirit and is generous with her time and energy. Her passion to support the students she teaches, the profession of interpreting, and the Deaf community is exemplary, as I have witnessed first-hand and as her record demonstrates. I was contemplating the question “What makes an effective leader?” on my way to a Salem coffee shop on July 23, 2014 to conduct an interview with my friend and mentor, Xenia Woods, to discuss this very topic. When I walked in I found her sitting at a corner table studying Japanese flashcards, taking advantage of the few spare moments she had in her day. I had not seen her in some time and was glad to have the opportunity to sit down with her in person and formally address the topic of leadership. Xenia is a seasoned teacher and professional interpreter and I was curious about her upbringing and exposure to the field of sign language interpreting.
