Student Profiles
Isabel White
Hello! My name is Isabel and I am a sophomore in the ASL Interpreting program. I hale from Ojai, California where I took my first ASL class four years ago. When it came time to apply to colleges I searched for a school with an ASL program and happened upon Northeastern. Although Boston is a smidge colder than my hometown, I have found warmth and happiness here. When i'm not signing or figuring out ways to visit my sisters, I love music, discovering Boston, eating, and awful prime-time television.
Will English
Hey everyone! I’m Will, and I’m an interpreting major here at Northeastern. I was born and raised in New York, and I transferred to Northeastern in September of 2006. Even though I’m from New York, I still root for the Red Sox! Interpreting happened as a bit of a fluke for me, after taking my first ASL class as my language requirement, and falling in love. When I am not busy in classes, I work on Newbury Street, and I watch movies. Fashion and film are my two other passions. I love cooking as well. Well, I basically love a lot of things, and this major is definitely one of the several things that I am incredibly passionate about. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask, as I love meeting new people and talking about this major!
Danielle Johnson
Hey! I'm Danielle, a proud Iowan (yes, people do live there). I’m a junior in the program. I also spent one semester at Gallaudet University my sophomore year. In my almost non-existent free time, I like to watch reality t.v., work out, eat jello, jam out to country music, and riot with the Red Sox. ☺
Gyngr Minchew
Hi, I'm Gyngr Minchew. I am a junior in the Interpreting Program here at NU. I transferred in 2006 after getting my Associates in ASL. Coming to Boston and NU was the best decision for me. The moment that I saw Boston and the beautiful NU campus I knew this is where I wanted to be. I LOVE IT HERE!!! :) The people in the ASL program are warm and inviting and have made me feel welcome. I will graduate in May of 2009 and I look forward to working in the Deaf Community for years to come.
Andy Prior
Hey everyone, my name is Andy Prior and I am soon to be a Junior in the Interpreting Program here at Northeastern University. I am proud to say I'm one of 3 men in the program and look forward to seeing more men join in the coming years. I grew up in upstate New York and now love living in Boston. I have been lucky enough to receive great opportunities from both the interpreting program and Northeastern University. I will be traveling to Israel this summer with school to take two classes that will study the conflict occurring there currently. I am excited to start interpreting classes next semester and look forward to another great 2 years!
Sabrina Gillan
Hi! My name is Sabrina Gillan and I am a junior ASL/English Interpreting student here at NU. I am also pursuing a degree in Psychology. I started as a dual major in ASL and Psychology, but I really enjoyed interpreting so I decided to change to a double major. Spring of my sophomore year I did a co-op at Walden School, which is a residential treatment facility for emotionally and behaviorally challenged Deaf youth in Framingham. I have continued to work there as a part time aide and residential staff. I'm also an RA and have no free time! :)
Randi James
Name: Randi James (my friends call me Randi Candy)
Major: American Sign Language and Psychology
Class: 2010 (hopefully...lol)
Hobbies: Watching movies, dancing, listening to music, cooking,
traveling, window shopping,museums, the theater, and sports. Finish.
Favorite color: Green (all shades).
Favorite number: 7
Tyler Nellissen
Hi, I'm Tyler Nellissen, a Junior dual major in Psychology and American Sign Language. I am from upstate New York but currently make Boston my home. I started at Northeastern as only a Psychology major but after taking an ASL course to fulfill my language requirement I really enjoyed it and continued in the program. The students and faculty in the ASL program are very supportive and helpful in developing my ASL skills. I have taken advantage of co-op here at NU which allowed me to apply what I've learned in Psychology and ASL in the setting of a "Deaf Support Specialist" in two different group homes. My goal is to hopefully become a psychologist or counselor who can also provide services to Deaf people without an interpreter.
Celia Mojica
Hi I'm Celia! I grew up just outside of Boston in Framingham, Mass. I was home schooled my whole life. When it came time to apply to college I decided to attend a community college and after a year there, I transferred here to NU. I've been here for two years now and I absolutely love it. Boston is the greatest city in the world (I'm only a little biased 'cause it's home!), Northeastern is an awesome school, and the Interpreting program here is topnotch and a lot of fun! There are so many ways to get involved whether it be on campus with the Interpreting Club or out in the Boston community through the many volunteer opportunities available. Go NU! :)
Ali Holstein
Hi! My name is Ali Holstein and I'm a freshman in the ASL Intrepreting program. I just transferred this semester from Towson University, and have loved Boston and Northeastern so far. I'm in the Northeastern dance company, and Kappa Delta sorority, and am looking forward to the next three years here!
Taylor Belsvik
Hello! My name is Taylor Belsvik, and as of May 2008 I am an alumni of the program. I came from Seattle, WA to find my second home at Northeastern and especially within the ASL Department. My fellow classmates became my friends, the staff and faculty my mentors, and the Deaf population in Boston, my community. I loved the program here - we were continuously challenged through the four years while being tremendously supported and encouraged. If you are thinking of ASL/Interpreting there is no better place to be! If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at taylor.belsvik@gmail.com
Caitlin Scott
I am a junior in the program as well as the secretary for ICNU. In addition to Interpreting, I am a Linguistics minor and a Middle
Eastern Studies minor, focusing on Arabic. I grew up in Alabama (no,I don't have an accent) but my family is from Virginia and
Pennsylvania. Random fact: I collect Harry Potter books in foreign languages. My most recent acquisitions were the first book in Irish and the second book in Afrikaans.
Mia Grottola
Hello my name is Mia Grottola and I am a senior in the ASL/English
Interpreting Program and plan to graduate in 4 weeks! My experience with the program as well as the entire university has been wonderful. I can confidently leave the university feeling like my time here was well spent. The interpreting teachers and other 12 seniors have had a lasting impression on me as a soon-to-be interpreter and a person. As I now look forward to my new home of New York City I bring with me a toolbox of experiences, skills and friendships making this transition into the "Real World" less intimidating. Good luck to future students of this program as well as 12 of my closest friends.
Amanda Moyer
Hello! I'm Amanda G. Moyer. I'm originally from Philadelphia, PA but currently Massachusetts is home. I came into the interpreting program/Northeastern as a freshman in 2004 and completed the program in 2008. There are so many opportunities available to students in the program and over 4 years in the major I was able to take advantage many of them. I worked with 8 other students to interpret Guys and Dolls, worked for the MJP competition at the ASL Festival, spent the spring semester of my sophomore year taking classes as a visiting student at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC and I was a member and officer of the interpreting club (ICNU). I couldn't be happier with my decision to come to NU for my education in English/ASL Interpretation. The location, community, faculty, and courses have been ideal for shaping the professional I will become.
Sarah Balkcom
Hello! My name is Sarah Balkcom and I will be a senior fall of 2008 in the ASL/English Interpreting Program. My journey has been exciting and full of hard work! I spent one semester at Gallaudet University where I met so many great friends and I also spent 12 weeks working at the Aspen Deaf Camp in Colorado. This major has been very challenging but I love it and couldn't see myself doing anything else. Come visit to see if the program suits you too!
Laura Prickett
Hello! My name is Laura Prickett. I graduated from Penn State University (We Are… Penn State!) five years ago with a degree in public relations, moved to Boston, and started working at a publishing company here. A few years later I realized I wanted my life to go in a different direction, so I left my job to pursue ASL Interpreting full time. It’s been a wild ride, full of challenges and opportunities I never dreamed of, such as spending a semester at Gallaudet University, but I can say I’ve enjoyed it all. Despite the fact that my favorite place to be is on the beach with some sun, flip flops and a soft ice cream cone, I've enjoyed calling both Northeastern and Boston, with their seemingly endless winters, home!
Anna Harris
Hi there! My name is Anna Harris and I'm currently a junior in the ASL/English Interpreting program. I came to Northeastern as a freshman in the program and began as an ASL 1 student. The faculty, fellow students, and alumni here have been such an incredible support throughout the 3 years I've been here and have really shaped my development through the program. The Interpreting Club here has also been a great place to meet friends and learn from others who have gone through it all. I grew up in Massachusetts, so Boston has been my home for a long time and I hope to stay here after graduation!
Stacey Rubin
Hello everyone! My name is Stacey Rubin. I am a senior in the program this year and will be graduating this May 2008. When i first came to NU it was 2005 and i was a transfer student. I can't believe these last three years have gone by so fast. After graduation i plan to move back home to New York (as much as I love Boston and the people in the program I am a New Yorker at heart) and hopefully begin my interpreting
career (baby steps of course).
Stephanie Dondiego
I am an interpreting major and am planning to graduate in 2010. I have been taking ASl for 7 years now. I graduated from an Interpreter Training Program at Suffolk Community College in Long Island and have my Associates degree.
Julie Miller
"Hey! Julie here! I'm a sophomore in the Interpreting program, also pursuing a double major in Human Services. I love Northeastern and have met great friends in the 'Terp department. Currently, I am studying for one semester at Gallaudet University in D.C., where I am applying the skills I am learning in NU's ASL department and hanging around my childhood stomping grounds in Maryland! Hope to meet you!"
Veronica Chitwood
"Hi! My name is Veronica Chitwood. I am a Senior in the ASL/English Interpreting program and Theater department and loving it! I was born and raised a Northern Californian girl, but as of March 2005 I have adopted MA as my new home. I started at Northeastern in the fall of 2002, but after one term had to withdraw and move back home. Two and a half years later I couldn't get the program or the people out of my mind so I found my way back! Fall 2005 I started up again and I am thrilled that I did. I couldn't have asked for a more supportive or fun group of people to help me work on my goal of becoming an ASL interpreter!"
Nicole Haller
Hey. My name is Nicole Haller. I'm a senior majoring in ASL/ English Interpreting and History. I actually found out about this program accidentally as I was taking a ASL 101 and now here I am! I'm going to be headed into the Deaf educational setting because going on co-op at The Learning Center was such a great experience. I don't have any set plans for after graduation, but hopefully it involves New York or Philly. I need my Yankees.
Website editor comment: We do not encourage supporting the Yankees while living in Boston. Go Red Sox!
Sammantha Molle
Hello! My Name is Samantha Molle; I am a sophomore here at Northeastern University, in the ASL Interpreting program. I reside in Stoneham, MA, a small town ten minutes north of Boston. Since I was a freshman in high school I knew that I wanted to attend Northeastern University and study American Sign Language. I have also been fortunate enough to Dive on the Northeastern Swimming and Diving team. So far, Northeastern has been an
excellent choice, and I am enjoying every minute of being here.
Becky Blasenheim
Hi Everyone! My name is Becky Blasenheim, and I am a senior (soon to be alumni!) in the ASL/English Interpreting program. I'm originally from the NY/NJ area and my home now is somewhere between South Florida and Boston. I spent one semester as the Vice President of the Interpreting Club and one semester at Gallaudet Uninversity. The ASL office has definitely become my second home... in part because of all of the time that I spend there and also because the interpreting community here at NU has become a family to me. If you have any questions about the program please don't hesitate to contact me! I am always up for chatting with/meeting new people and I have plenty to say about my program!
Amanda Riemer
Hi! My name is Amanda Riemer, and I'm from Long Island, New York. I'm currently a junior in the ASL Interpreting program, and I plan to graduate next year, in 2009.
Caity Cross-Hansen
Howdy do! My name is Caity Cross-Hansen. You can sum me up in three words: surfer/cowgirl/hippie. It will make more sense if you meet me *smile*. I will graduate from the ASL interpreting program here at Northeastern University in 2009. I am from Long Island but I found my niche here in Boston. I have experienced wonderful opportunities including volunteering for the American Association for the DeafBlind conference, being an MJP competition Intern and I am the current president of the Interpreting Club. I went on a "study-abroad" to Gallaudet University and everything I have learned between the programs at Gallaudet and Northeastern University are priceless. We have wonderful resources, a challenging curriculum and support from fellow interpreting majors, teachers and staff. All of us are easy to talk to so don't hesitate to ask questions and get involved!
Ali Heerema
Hi! My name is Ali and I’m a junior in the ASL/Interpreting Program here at Northeastern University. I’m from northern NJ but have truly found my second home here in Boston. I knew the moment I saw the school that this was the place for me. Although challenging, this program has provided me with many great opportunities in my three years. One of my favorite experiences so far was getting to spend a semester at Gallaudet University last spring as a visiting student. I strongly encourage anyone interested to come check out both our school and our program!
Lisa Kinsman
Hi! I'm Lisa Kinsman and I'm nearing the end of my sophomore year. I am a transfer from Eastern Conn. State University. I grew up in Vernon, CT and now live in Wrentham, MA right near the outlets! My birthday is July 31 and summer just so happens to be my favorite time of year. I love swimming, teaching swimming lessons, biking, hiking, being outside, going to the beach, dancing, music and lots of other things. I love to meet new people and go out and have fun!
Emily Hayes
Well I guess I should start with my name and move on from there: my name is Emily Hayes, and at this point I am a senior in the program here. I plan to graduate in May (Dennis willing) with a B.S. in ASL/ English interpretation and a second B.S. in Linguistics. I have had some great experiences here at Northeastern and in the program, Boston as well has been wonderful to me. If I had to pare down all the advantages and benefits of the Interpreting program to the top few, one point I'd really like to mention (I don't have time here for the rest,) it would be the great opportunities I've had to expand my knowledge in all areas. This multi-faceted learning is how I found out about linguistics which, obviously, is another passion of mine, and I've learned so much and met so many great and fascinating people that I truly can't imagine where I would be if I hadn't fallen into this program.
Catherine Callender
Hello there! I’m Catherine Callender and I am a rising senior in the Interpreting program. I transferred to NU in 2006 from Northern Virginia Community college after taking several American Sign Language classes. I’m a lover of many languages and cultures and hope to become more knowledgeable in several of them. I am excited and anxious going into my senior year having learned so much and yet having so much more to learn. Having many girls from the Northeast here at NU, I hope more mid-Atlanticers find their way here!! I look forward to returning to Northern VA and working in D.C. after graduating!