The goal of the Sign Language Interpreting Program is the successful preparation of students for entry level positions in the field of sign language interpreting/transliterating.
Interpreting courses are offered during the evening to meet the needs of working adults. Students are required to meet specific program entrance and exit criteria.
The courses are designed to provide graduates with competencies in American Sign Language and English interpretation/transliteration.
Students will also gain an in-depth understanding of the interpreting profession and its code of ethics, cultural mediation skills, and an understanding of the importance of and desire for continued professional and personal development.
Here's what people are saying about Harper:
"Harper has the best program within the state and possibly throughout the country. It offers you the flexibility to work and attend school and get your certificate at the same time. Harper has excellent instructors and it has an excellent language lab. If you're interested in becoming an interpreter, what I suggest is that you contact Harper."
-Karin Kalodimos,
educational and free lance interpreter who has interpreted
for Hillary Rodham Clinton
"I feel a sense of pride in what I've learned and accomplished so far. Of the many terrific people I've met. Of the desire to continue to grow in the interpreting profession. Of the positive changes not only in my life, but also in my perspective of the world and its peoples and cultures."
-Lou Scott,
free lance interpreter and
vice president of the Illinois Registry of
Interpreters for the Deaf
"I want to take this time to let you know how thankful I am for the outstanding education I received when I was in the Sign Language Interpreting Program."
-Rich Busboom,
educational interpreter
Calendar and Information Meetings
Faculty and staff are highly credentialed professionals in their respective fields and have served in various leadership roles in their professional organizations. All Sign Language Interpreting Program faculty have earned multiple national certifications from the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. Collectively, they have been interpreting for more than fifty years. Sign Language Studies faculty hold certification through the American Sign Language Teachers Association and, in sum, have more than fifty years of teaching experience.
- Sally A. Koziar, Professor
- Chair
- Department of Sign Language Studies
- Coordinator,
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
- Harper faculty member from 1984 - present.
- Bachelor of Science in Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
- Masters in Education, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Faculty member since 1984, Ms. Koziar has done post graduate work in linguistics, critical thinking, and interpreting. Additional course work has been taken through Gallaudet University, Northeastern University and National-Louis University.
Professional Memberships and Certification: Conference of Interpreter Trainers, Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CSC, OIC:C), Chicagoland American Sign Language Teacher's Association
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Bob Paul, Assistant Professor - Department of Sign Language Studies
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
- Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
- Master of Science in Teaching ASL, Western Maryland College, Westminster, MD
Faculty member since 1990, Mr. Paul is a native user of American Sign Language and has presented workshops on ASL and American Deaf cultural studies. He is co-founder of the Deaf Adults Education Access Program serving the needs of Chicago's deaf immigrants.
Professional Memberships and Certification: American Sign Language Teachers Association (certification: provisional), National Association of the Deaf, Illinois Association of the Deaf, Chicagoland American Sign Language Teachers Association
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Amy M. Dixon-Kolar, Assistant Professor - Department of Sign Language Studies
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Studies, California State University, Northridge
- Master of Adult Education, National-Louis University, Wheeling, IL
Faculty member since 1993, Ms. Dixon-Kolar has done additional graduate study in English and ASL linguistics, English as a Second Language, and interpreter education. Additional coursework has been taken through Gallaudet University and Northeastern Illinois University.
- Professional Memberships and Certification: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CI, CT), American Sigh Language Teachers Association, Chicagoland American Sign Language Teachers Association, Conference of Interpreter Trainers, Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, National Association of the Deaf
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Joan T. Fiske, Instructor - Department of Sign Language Studies
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Sociology,
William Woods College, Fulton, MO - Master of Adult Education, National-Louis University, Wheeling, IL
- Before being appointed the fourth full-time faculty member in January 2000, Ms. Fiske had been the language lab supervisor and materials specialist since 1993 and an adjunct faculty member since 1992. She has completed additional graduate work in the areas of ASL linguistics, interpreter education and journal writing through Gallaudet University and National-Louis University.
- Professional Memberships and Certification: Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (CI, CT), Conference of Interpreter Trainers, Illinois Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Chicagoland American Sign Language Teachers Association.
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Peggy Weaver - Language Lab Supervisor and Materials Specialist
- Department of Sign Language Studies
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
- Bachelor of Science in Deaf Education
- University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
- Ms. Weaver has been the language lab supervisor and materials specialist since March 2000. She has worked with the Deaf community in a variety of educational settings as well as vocational and substance abuse rehabilitation. She holds a counselor certificate in substance abuse treatment from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.
- Professional Memberships and Certification: Illinois Registery of Interpreters for the Deaf, Illinois Deafness and Rehabilitation Association, National Association of the Deaf, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf.
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Kellie Glodek - Bilingual Secretary
- Department of Sign Language Studies
- Sign Language Interpreting Program
- Ms. Glodek has attended school in Seattle, Washington and also here at Harper. She plans to continue her studies in ASL and sign language interpreting.
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