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

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 

2024 Council of Experts

by last name

• Cooper, Glenna - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus
• Courson, Kris - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus
• Oswald, Jordon - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus
• Reed, Darren - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus
• Tomlinson, Dawn - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus
• Walcott, Laurie - IRIS CORE and Induction Alumnus

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.