Colleen Geier
Professor of ASL Interpreting
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Faculty
Professor of ASL Interpreting
I grew up with a great uncle who was deaf. His father didn’t allow him to learn to sign (“he’d look like a freak”), he wasn’t allowed to get a job, get married, or drive a car. My uncle communicated through basic notes and some home signs/gestures. In spite of this, Uncle Harry tried to be independent. He’d ride his bike all over and he tried to teach us kids about the animals on the family farm.
His isolation and dependency on the family had a tremendous impact on me. Because of his life, I learned to sign, became an interpreter, and taught Deaf children. No Deaf person should be denied the opportunity to accomplish whatever they dream! The work we do here at Goshen College provides well trained interpreters who go out and bridge the communication gap between Deaf and hearing people.
Church
Community
In the fall of 2020, to combat the frustration of COVID and working from home, I decided to take a class at Goshen College. I took Christian Theologies and enjoyed it so much that I kept going. I obtained a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart. I am now working on a 2nd master’s degree in Christian Formation from AMBS. I am also being licensed by the United Church of Christ and will serve as the Disability Ministries pastor at St. Peter’s UCC.
I totally believe in the quote often attributed to Michelangelo:
“Ancora Imparo (Yet I am learning)”
Memberships & Associations
Doctoral Study – December 2016:
An Evaluation of an American Sign Language Interpreting Internship Program
Presentations: