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!
2023-2024 Educational Outreach Volunteers
Volunteers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/American Sign Language Outreach program are selected based on their outstanding course performance, dedication to learning, and interest in serving the Deaf and Hard community in their future careers. Completing one year of service to the program can be utilized towards meeting the requirements to graduate with Honors in American Sign Language.
Emily C.
Emily is a senior at Florida State Florida State University from Jacksonville, FL. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child Development. Emily is currently in ASL 4 and working towards ASL honors. Her goals after graduation include going to graduate school to get a PhD in clinical psychology and eventually be able to work with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals!
Morgan H.
Morgan is a Junior at Florida State University from Central Florida. She is majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and eventually become a Speech-Language Pathologist in the NICU. Morgan’s first introduction to ASL was during her second year at Florida State University. Morgan is taking ASL 3 and has completely enjoyed taking ASL 1 and 2 and learning about Deaf Culture. She is currently an ASL 1 Lab Faciltator.
Caroline K.
Caroline is a Senior at Florida State University from Tampa, Florida. She is majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Family and Child Sciences, as well as pursuing distinguished honors in ASL. She hopes to become a pediatric speech-language pathologist working with DHH children. Caroline is also involved in NSSHLA, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and the University Sinfonia. She will be taking ASL 4 this semester and serving as an ASL 3 Lab Facilitator.
Katie M.
Katie is currently a senior at Florida State University, born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. She is majoring in Audiology and will be attending University of Florida in the fall. Katie is currently in ASL 4, working towards graduating with ASL honors. She is part of the ASL Outreach program, working with children and families of individuals who are DHH. Along with this, Katie is the fundraising chair for the Student Academy of Audiology (SAA). Katie plans to continue her use of ASL through her future profession and working with DHH populations
Angelina P.
Angelina is a Junior at Florida State University from Chicago, Illinois. She is majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Child Development, and she is working towards receiving distinguished honors in ASL, with the goal of becoming a pediatric speech-language pathologist. Angelina just received her Interdepartmental Developmental Disabilities certificate, and she serves as the President for the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. Angelina finished ASL 4 last Spring, and she is very excited about furthering her education in ASL through being the Lead ASL Lab Facilitator for the 2023-2024 school year!
Kathryn W.
Kathryn is a senior at Florida State University studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Child Development. She hopes to become a Speech-Language Pathologist working with various populations, such as the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Kathryn currently serves as president of the American Sign Language club at FSU. She is currently enrolled in ASL 4 and working for ASL Honors.
Projects and Presentations
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.