DHH/ASL Educational Outreach

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)/American Sign Language (ASL) Educational Outreach program was established in Fall 2018.  Advanced FSU students are matched with partnering programs to provide various types of support such as tutoring, classroom assistance, and the provision of professional development presentations.  These positions provide guided opportunities for FSU students to work with d/Deaf individuals and other stakeholders, while supporting our local community.  Students must apply to the outreach program and are selected based on demonstrated academic performance, professionalism, and if applicable to the position, ASL signing skills.  Students may utilize these positions towards the volunteer requirements of the ASLHS, and must register for the associated Applications of Research (SPA 3801) course during the first semester which they volunteer.

The Educational Outreach program is overseen by Dr. Kristen Guynes, who maintains her teaching state-level certifications in Deaf/Hard of Hearing Education and American Sign Language (K-12), and national-level certifications in teaching ASL (ASLTA) and educational interpreting (RID).  The program is assisted by Dr. Casey Guynes who is a certified Teacher of DHH students.  He has experience working across all levels of Deaf education including early intervention through adult education, in residential and public school settings.  He continues to teach K-12 ASL through the Virtual School.

If you are interested in becoming a partnering program, please contact us!

2025 – 2026 Educational Outreach Volunteers

Emily B.

Emily is a junior at Florida State University from Stuart, Florida. She is majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Biology. She plans to work as an SLPA in the school district before returning for her master’s degree. Emily is currently enrolled in ASL 3 and is working towards ASL Honors. She is looking forward to being an ASL 1 Lab Facilitator and deepening her understanding of the language!

Faith C.

Faith is a senior at Florida State University from Melbourne, Florida. She is a Communication Science and Disorders major with a minor in Child Development. She plans on taking a gap year after graduating to work as an SLPA before pursuing her Masters of Public Health, where she can use her background to advocate for commonly underserved populations. She is currently enrolled in ASL 4 and serves as a lab assistant for ASL 3.

Brianna D.

Brianna completed her undergraduate degree from Florida State University in May 2025, having graduated with Distinguished ASL Honors.  She continues to remain involved in the DHH/ASL Outreach program as she prepares to attend medical school next year.  She aspires to become an otolaryngologist to make healthcare more accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing community.

Hope G.

Hope is a senior at Florida State University. She is majoring in Psychology and hoping to obtain her masters in Applied Behavior Analysis. Last semester she was a lab facilitator for ASL 1 and is currently serving as a lab facilitator for ASL 3. She is also enrolled in ASL 4 this semester and is looking forward to broadening her knowledge of ASL.

Alexia L.

Alexia is a senior at Florida State University from Fort Myers, FL. She is majoring in Psychology with minor in Child Development. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and become an occupational therapist for children with disabilities. She is currently enrolled in ASL 4 and is serving an ASL 2 Lab Assistant.

Ananda E.

Ananda is a doctoral student at Florida State University, majoring in Psychology with an interest in working with children who are Deaf and hard of hearing. As an undergraduate student, she completed ASL 1-4 and graduated with ASL Honors.

Grace L.

Grace is a Senior at Florida State University from Annapolis, Maryland. She is a Communication Science and Disorders major with a Child Development minor, and plans on becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist working with children or adults who have developmental disorders. She has completed ASL 1-3 and is currently enrolled in ASL 4, working towards ASL Honors. She received her Certificate in Interdepartmental Developmental Disabilities in Fall 2025. Grace is looking forward to finishing out her undergraduate experience at FSU while strengthening her connection with the ASL program as an ASL 3 Lab Facilitator.

Magdalene M.

Magdalene is a Junior at Florida State University from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. She is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders to pursue a career as a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist with a special focus on the DHH community. She is currently enrolled in ASL 3 and ASL 4 in addition to serving as a Lab facilitator for ASL 2 this semester working towards ASL Distinguished Honors. She currently serves on the executive board for the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association in addition to being an active member in ASL club and other CSD related organizations.

Sydney S.

Sydney is a Sophomore at Florida State University from Miami, Florida. She is majoring in Communication Sciences & Disorders and hopes to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology. Sydney is taking ASL 2 and is working towards ASL honors. She is excited to be serving as a DHH Outreach Volunteer!

Rachel S.

Rachel is a senior at Florida State University from Jacksonville, Florida, majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with the goal of becoming a Speech-Language Pathologist. She is currently enrolled in ASL 3 and serves as a lab facilitator for ASL 2, while working toward ASL Honors. Additionally, she holds the role of Educational Outreach Leader in Florida State University’s DHH/ASL Educational Outreach Program.

Jackie T.

Jacqueline is a Senior at Florida State University from Clewiston, Florida. She is majoring in Communication Science & Disorders with minors in Linguistics & Psychology. She plans to attend graduate school to pursue a Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology to work with underserved communities & multilingual learners. She has taken ASL 1-3 and Deaf Culture, and plans to pursue honors in ASL. She is currently the president of the ASL Club and is an Educational Outreach Leader in Florida State University’s DHH/ASL Educational Outreach Program

Annual Events Overview: (Be sure to sign up for our program so you don’t miss out!)

  • January – February: ~6 week Family and Friends ASL Class
  • March – Spring Social Hosted by DHH Outreach Program (2026 was at Wakulla Springs!)
  • April – “Deaf Connect” Community Event at Buck Lake Elementary School with Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
  • March – April: ~6 week Language and Literacy Program for DHH children (all ages!)
  • June – July: ~8 week Language and Literacy Program for Parents of DHH children. (Childcare/activities provided!)
  • August – Fall Social Hosted by DHH Outreach Program (2026 was at Wakulla Springs!)
  • September – October: ~6 week Family and Friends ASL Class
  • October- Family Social at Aunt Louise’s Farm with Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
  • November – Fall Festival for Families with DHH Children.
  • November – December: ~6 week Language and Listening Program for DHH children. (New for 2026!)

Invited Professional Development Presentations

Guynes, K., Collins, F., Garrett, H., Lambert, A., Donaldson, B., and Eaton, A. (2026, January-March). Basic American Sign Language for Family and Friends of DHH children. Class provided through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Outreach Program at Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL.

Guynes, K., Donaldson, B., Eaton, A., Collins, F., Garrett, H., Lambert, A. (2025, October 28). Basic American Sign Language and Deaf Culture at the Coffee Shop. Invited Presentation for Lucky Goat Coffee – Tallahassee, FL.

Guynes, K., Donaldson, B., Eaton, A., Collins, F., Garrett, H. (2025, September 20). Basic American Sign Language and Deaf Culture for Conversation. Invited Presentation for Leroy Collins Public Library – Tallahassee, FL.

Guynes, K., Donaldson, B., and Eaton, A. (2025, January-March). Basic American Sign Language for Family and Friends of DHH children. Class provided through the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Educational Outreach Program at Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL.

Guynes, K., M. Walch, D. Parathundil, A. Sabat, and C. Guynes (2022, October 22). Foundations of Interacting with Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Individuals – Invited presentation for the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles – Remote.

Guynes, K. and Minall, D. (2019, November 13). Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Individuals in Future Careers. Presented for Hands of Hope student organization at Florida State University – Tallahassee, FL.

Guynes, K. (2019, August 6). Working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Classroom. Presented at Swift Creek Middle School – Tallahassee, FL.