Liberty University ASL and Interpreting

06/09/2026

🥳 Amanda Carter, NIC!

A delayed congratulations to Amanda Carter who earned her National Interpreter Certification months ago. After graduating in 2023, Amanda had a few years of educational and freelance work before making a home for herself (and her husband) in Alabama working as a full-time VRS interpreter.

Amanda, we are so proud of you!!

06/03/2026

✨ Eleventh Star to the Right 🔭 (& Former Grads!)

We are thrilled to announce the addition of these LU Graduates to the interpreting field. They led the ASL Club, participated in Research Week, served the Deaf community through camps, missions work, and more, totaling 400+ hours of community service in addition to their regular LU CSER fulfillment. Several of them graduate with a 4.0 GPA and membership in the National ASL Honor Society. Together this spring, they totaled 1,225+ hours of internship hours. Two completed and passed the National Interpreter Certification - Knowledge Exam. Several were presented with awards at the annual Modern Languages Award Ceremony. They returned to campus to walk the stage and immediately got back to work in Colorado, New York, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., and, of course, our sweet Virginia. Can we get a wave of applause?!

And still, there's more to celebrate! Our graduates of previous cohorts continue taking Professional Development seriously. They are out there practicing, reflecting, and improving their skills, and their assessment results testify to their growth.

Praise be to God for His hand on our program, our grads, and the communities we serve!

Class of 2026:

Hannah Robarge - National Interpreter Certification Knowledge Exam; Outstanding Academic Achievement in ASLI

Ellie Fogarty - National Interpreter Certification Knowledge Exam; ASLI Colossians 3:23 Award

Sierra Paul - Outstanding Academic Achievement in ASLI

Eden Svoboa - Contribution to the ASL/English Interpreting Profession

Abby Newman - Giving Back to the Deaf Community

Previous Graduates:

Abby Arbeiter, '25 - National Interpreter Certification Knowledge Exam

Grace Tang, '25 - National Interpreter Certification Knowledge Exam

Kellie Freeman, '23 - Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, 4.3

Jorja Reid, '25 - National Interpreter Certification Knowledge Exam

Kailey Elliott, '25 - Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, 3.5

Sarah DeWitt, '22 - Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, 4.4

Grads, if we've missed your exciting news, please send it in!

05/13/2026

Reflections:
A Model of Interpreter Readiness - Dr. Nicole D. Thorn

She will tell you again and again that the Lord founded Liberty's ASLI program, and He is the one who sustains it. We are forever grateful that He chose to do so through calling Dr. Thorn to Liberty University, and her responding with faithful obedience.

Though she retired from academia a couple of years ago, she continues to influence our program and the interpreting field. We are excited to announce that her book, Reflections: A Model of Interpreter Readiness, is now a part of our program curriculum. We believe the contents will act as a compass and an inventory tool for our students as they seek the Lord’s direction for their professional life. Get your copy now!

https://www.aslinterpreting.com/reflection-a-model-of-interpreter-readiness/

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Dr. Nicole D. Thorn has brought together a component that has been missing from interpreter education—until now. What does it take to be ready to start studies in the field of American Sign Language-English interpreting?

Reflections: A Model of Interpreter Readiness marries academia with pragmatics in a systematic approach for those getting ready to embark on interpreter education, as well as for those who are already immersed in it. Written in an approachable, conversational voice, the content is applicable for those considering starting their studies, for interpreters seeking ongoing self-review, and for professionals developing program screenings and tools.

The eight elements within the model help the student to create a strong starting point and a solid foundation on which to build. Each element is examined from different perspectives including evidence, anecdotal study, observations made after 10 years of teaching interpreters, years of practical experience, and through the eyes of other professionals. The author asks the reader to reflect on each of the elements and to address what one can do to be ready. This book addresses questions students and interpreter educators alike ask: What does it take to be successful in an interpreter education program? What does it take to be a successful interpreter? And am I ready?

Dr. Nicole D. Thorn has over 35 years of experience in the field of American Sign Language-English interpreting, including more than a decade as an interpreter educator. Getting her start as a dorm parent at the New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood), Dr. Thorn has years of experience as a teacher of the Deaf and as a professional interpreter. She holds national certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID). As an interpreter educator she saw what it takes to become a sign language interpreter. The result of this experience is Reflections: A Model of Interpreter Readiness.

05/11/2026

Today, we finished our Final Exams, which was a feat within itself given the nationwide cyberattack on Canvas. With that, we have a seat, take a breath, and look back on another amazing year. Keep an eye on our page as we celebrate our incredible students this week.

We first congratulate our ASLI Junior, excuse me, now Senior class on successfully passing their Virginia Quality Assurance Screening - Written Exam! With their ethical access card in hand, they're now off to ready themselves for practicum semester this fall.

Students, enjoy your rest this summer because you're in for a wild ride come August. Just take a look at some of our favorite memories with the Class of 2026!

10/28/2025

Did you know this Homecoming, we will be having a Deaf Alumni reunion? And we will be watching the Deaf Jesus Film!? If you are someone who would love to hang out, socialize, and even watch this movie, make sure to use this link to sign up and to help ODAS know how many people are looking to attend! We are so excited to see everyone join us!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflFBIxtmTBuXwQv66HOLNApCY2Hl7wH2tECAyogOLqqvq0dg/viewform?pli=1

10/28/2025

🎉 Andrew James, NIC!

The Class of 2024 brings in another RID National Certification! Andrew didn’t enter LU with the intention of becoming an interpreter, but the Lord had other plans for him, and we thank God for that!

Please keep Andrew in your prayers as the Lord directs his steps, and pray for his family as they continue sharing the Gospel with the Deaf community worldwide!

10/20/2025

Celebrate with us this evening!

‼️LOCATION HAS CHANGED!!!‼️ Please meet us over in Demoss room 1164!! Still same time!

10/18/2025

Saturday plans? No? Good!

Come to the LU Auto Show, open to all, at River Ridge Mall! Check out some of the newest, shiniest, fanciest vehicles on the market. LU business students are excited to show off these great rides, and our interpreting seniors will be placed all throughout the event space, ready to work! 🏎️🚙🛻

Our budding interpreters are afforded the opportunity to interpret in some real-life settings during their practicum semester. In doing this, they gain practical experience, the settings in which they work learn more about including the Deaf community, and the Deaf community continues to shape and mold the next generation of interpreters. We could not do this without our community partners. Thank you to all involved!

Experiential learning starts here! See you tomorrow!

🚗 Start your engines, Lynchburg! The LU Auto Show is rolling into River Ridge for Virginia’s largest outdoor auto showcase!

✨ Check out luxury rides from Mercedes, Lincoln, Cadillac, Audi, Porsche, BMW, and more. All part of this 100% student-led event!

📅 Friday, Oct 17 | 5–9 PM
📅 Saturday, Oct 18 | 11 AM–7 PM
📍 West End District, River Ridge

Grab your crew and come experience two days of stunning displays, top-tier vehicles, and all-out auto excitement.

👉 Follow on Instagram for updates and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks!