I enrolled at UNF for two reasons — I loved the eco-centered campus and the opportunity to pursue my dream of becoming a sign language interpreter.

My love of American Sign Language started early when I learned some basic signs as a Girl Scout. Normally I do not acquire new languages easily, but sign language was different. It is a beautifully visual language, so it just clicked for me.

I received my associate’s of science degree in sign language interpreting from St. Petersburg College. This left me with two choices to complete my bachelor’s degree — UNF or the University of South Florida. Although USF was closer to my home in the Tampa Bay area, I chose UNF.

I initially thought I wanted to get a degree in an environmental field prior to pursing sign language. UNF not only has a growing sign language program, but it is also situated in a wildlife sanctuary. So I was able to combine my love of the environment with my love of sign language in one beautiful location.

In the short time I have been at UNF, I have already been transformed primarily because of my work-study program situated at the Disability Resource Center on campus. I was given the opportunity to work with variety of amazing students with varying disabilities. This has also prompted me to pursue a master’s degree in visual disabilities so that I can work with a broader range of individuals.

UNF has also given me more confidence in myself. Before coming to UNF I was terrified of interpreting before a classroom full of people. After being given an opportunity to observe interpreters working in various classes, I’m losing that fear. And now I am even working as a team interpreter in some classes at UNF and feel a lot more confident in my interpreting skills.

Another great UNF experience for me was the chance to participate in a study aboard Transformational Learning Opportunity (TLO) through the sign language interpreter program. We traveled to the University of Graz in Austria to study interpreting, Austrian Sign Language and to take advantage of their vast resources on interpreting. For the first time, I realized how difficult it is to communicate with sign language in other countries as there is no established international sign language. Not knowing Austrian Sign Language, I found it nearly impossible to communicate through American Sign Language except on a very basic level. That experience has given me a better understanding of the interpreting field on an international level.

UNF has opened so many new worlds to me. I have discovered how much I enjoy tactile interpreting — the type of interpreting for individuals who are both deaf and blind in which you sign into the other person’s hands. I am hoping to obtain an internship at the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults in New York to continue to learn more about this facet of sign language interpreting.

All of these experiences made possible by the support I have received through the First Generation, Alumni Association and Pathways Scholarship programs. I have also had the opportunity to meet with the donors of these programs on a one-to-one basis and truly enjoyed getting to know the people behind the programs. I was raised by a single mother who had to work two jobs to make ends meet. Without these scholarships, my transformation would not have been possible and I will forever be thankful to UNF and all the donors who made it possible.