Cindy Camp

Cindy Camp is the Marketing & Communications Specialist with DCMP (Described and Captioned Media Program).  She holds a Master’s degree in English, is a nationally certified interpreter, and C-Print captioninst and trainer.  She has provided access services to students who are deaf and hard of hearing for over 35 years.  

Charlene Crump

Charlene Crump is the State Coordinator for Communication Access and Training Services with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and oversees the national Mental Health Interpreter Training project. She is a nationally certified interpreter, Qualified Mental Health Interpreter-Supervisor, and holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with additional certifications in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services programming. A co-developer of the Communication Skills Assessment, Crump is a frequent presenter and published author on topics related to mental health interpreting and communication access.

JC Jerome Smith

JC Jerome Smith is a dedicated advocate for accessibility, inclusion, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. He is passionate about helping people achieve their personal, educational, and employment goals while promoting greater awareness and understanding within communities. Through his work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, he encourages self-advocacy and helps create more inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.

Amanda Gerson

Amanda Gerson is the Vocational Rehabilitation Outreach Manager at Gallaudet University with more than 15 years of experience in vocational rehabilitation and disability services. Her career has included roles as a VR Counselor, Supervisor, Manager, and Statewide Coordinator for VR and Transition Services, including leadership of a DeafBlind Services Unit. Amanda works closely with students, families, VR agencies, and university partners to support educational and employment success. As a Sibling of a Deaf Adult (SODA), she brings both personal and professional insight to her advocacy for communication access, equity, and opportunities for Deaf individuals.

Miranda Beard

Miranda A. Beard is a nationally recognized speaker, author, certified executive leadership coach, and certified emotional intelligence coach. As President of B&B Consultants Inc., she provides leadership coaching, consulting, and professional development to organizations across the country. A former President of the National School Boards Association and longtime school board leader, Miranda is passionate about helping professionals build resilient teams, strengthen communication, and create thriving workplace cultures.

Dr. Kasee Straaton-Gadke

Dr. Stratton-Gadke is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Institute on Disabilities at Mississippi State University and a Professor of School Psychology. For more than 20 years, she has worked with individuals with CHARGE syndrome, their families, educators, and support teams, focusing on communication, behavior, and educational supports. She also leads the Bulldog CHARGE Syndrome Research Lab and serves on the Professional Advisory Board for the CHARGE Syndrome Foundation.

Mariann Christman

Mariann is a nationally recognized educator and educational leader with more than 20 years of experience serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. A third-generation Deaf educator, she brings expertise in Deaf education, educational leadership, and the development of the Quill Model, emphasizing connection and student success. Christman has taught at schools for the Deaf, public schools, and college programs, and regularly provides training and consultation to educators, schools, and families across the nation.

Trisha Zyrowski

Trisha is an advocate, educator, and leader in Deaf education with nearly a decade of experience as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She serves as Director of Outreach and Development for Carter Hears! and Quill Model Enterprises, leading initiatives that expand access to quality services and support for Deaf and hard of hearing students and their families. Trisha also works as an instructional coach and adjunct professor, focusing on language acquisition, evidence-based practices, and family-centered early intervention.

Kambree Chickaway

Kambree is a Personal and Vocational Adjustment Counselor (PVAC) with the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Choctaw Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. With eight years of experience in healthcare, education, and vocational rehabilitation, she is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve meaningful employment and greater independence. Kambree is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling at Jackson State University and is committed to expanding vocational and educational opportunities within Native communities.

Mary Lundy Meruvia

Mary is the Program Director for the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians’ Vocational Rehabilitation Services Program. She has served the tribe since 1988 and has been a longtime leader in Native American rehabilitation services through her work with CANAR. Meruvia is also an active member of state and national rehabilitation organizations and serves on the Mississippi State Rehabilitation Council.

Rylina Dey

Rylina Dey, EIPA 4.0 & WT passed, B.A.,  joined Carter Hears! as a Language Facilitator in 2022. She currently serves as a bimodal facilitator and as the Carter Hears! Director of Communications. She has a B.A. in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), she has two deaf parents and has grown up bilingual with American Sign Language as her first language. Growing up interpreting for her parents and peers when needed, she has developed the natural ability to recognize when additional support is needed for communication. This experience is a huge benefit in her role as a developmental approach is used in the role of Sign Language Facilitator and Educational Interpreter.

Holly May

Holly May lives in Columbia, SC. She is currently in private practice and doing freelance interpreting. Holly has been working as an interpreter throughout her career specializing in mental health and emergency response. She has been working as a therapist for over 25 years working primarily with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Holly holds her South Carolina License in Professional Counseling (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS), North Carolina License in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (LCMHC), License in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Qualified Supervisor (LCMHC-QS), Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist (CCHt), National Interpreting Certification (NIC) as well as is a Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI).

Aileen Pagán Welch

Aileen Pagán Welch was born in the Bronx with family roots in Utuado, Puerto Rico, and identified as Deaf in early childhood. She is trilingual in English, Spanish, and ASL. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Communications and Human Resource Development from RIT, and later completed a Master’s in Counseling and Rehabilitation at the University of South Carolina. Aileen previously served as the Regional Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf with SC Vocational Rehabilitation and is now a National Board Certified Counselor and LPC A practicing at All Access Counseling in Columbia. She is active in community leadership, serving on the Beginnings SC board and participating in several professional organizations supporting Deaf and counseling communities.

Coming Soon!

Coming Soon!