- University News Archive - Vlogý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/jami-hollingsworth/ Vlogý Little Rock Mon, 02 Dec 2019 16:57:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 40th anniversary of ‘See-a-Song’ joins communities, celebrates success, inspires the continuing pursuit of access and quality interactions /news-archive/2019/12/02/40th-anniversary-of-see-a-song/ Mon, 02 Dec 2019 16:57:23 +0000 /news/?p=75784 ... 40th anniversary of ‘See-a-Song’ joins communities, celebrates success, inspires the continuing pursuit of access and quality interactions]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Interpreter Education Program celebrated its 40th anniversary Nov. 16 with a special edition of “See-a-Song,” a public performance of songs presented in sign language.  Deaf community member Ernest Northrup and former faculty member Eddie Schmeckenbecher emceed the celebration before a full house of students and community members in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall. Interpretation was provided by Beth Smith and Katie Becker of Communication Plus+ Interpreting Services. “I would love to give you all my appreciation for keeping the Interpreter Education Program going,” Schmeckenbecher said. “Keep it up and we’ll all come back and do this again in 40 more years!” Former and present program faculty were presented certificates of appreciation in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the program. Special recognition was given to program coordinators Daniel Burch (1979-1981), Mindy Hooper (1981-1982), Myra Taff-Watson (1982-2004), Dr. Sherry Shaw (2004-2007), and Dr. Linda Stauffer (2007-present). “Mama Ella” Irby was honored for her 20 years of service in the ASL (American Sign Language) lab, while Jackie Stubblefield, class of ‘86, was honored as the first person of color to graduate from the program.
Schmeckenbecher celebrates "Mama Ella" Irby's dedication to the Vlogý Little Rock ASL lab. Photo by Brad Simms.

Schmeckenbecher celebrates “Mama Ella” Irby’s dedication to the Vlogý Little Rock ASL lab. Photo by Brad Simms.

“For me, what’s important is that many wonderful people throughout the decades have built up this program to do right by the communities and create a legacy of qualified interpreters,” said ASL major Madisyn Turner. “It is fun and rewarding to be able to talk with the community in a way that creates quality interactions.” Since 1979, Vlogý Little Rock’s interpreter program has been developing professionals who provide linguistic and cultural facilitation between individuals who are hearing and individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing.  “I started studying ASL because I find the language to be intriguing,” said ASL major Libby Williams. “But really, it’s all about access. To be able to put on a performance like See-a-Song that grants access to cultural experience is very rewarding.” Northrup stressed the importance of continuing to train future generations of interpreters. “We need interpreters in our hospitals and doctor offices, in our schools, and in our communities,” Northup said.  “I see many of you that are here tonight out in the community working as graduates of this program. Thank you.” ASL major Cora Majan shared her perspective and appreciation for the program. “I really love the interpreter program,” Majan said. “It’s a great culture to immerse yourself in and teaches you a lot. There are only 13 accredited bachelor’s programs in the country, and we are lucky to have one of those programs here in Little Rock.”
ASL students Maria Huntley and Aaron Johnson perform "The Boy is Mine." Photo by Brad Simms.

ASL students Maria Huntley and Aaron Johnson perform “The Boy is Mine.” Photo by Brad Simms.

In total, 18 songs were performed through artistic interpretation. Vlogý Little Rock See-a-Song student performers included Turner, Williams, Majan, Christy Bacon, Levi Boyd, Ashleigh Chatfield, Bethani DeAscentis, Oksana Durkee, Maria Huntley, Aaron Johnson, Scarlett Quick, Emili Towater, and Clayton Williams. Schmeckenbecher and senior instructor Jami Hollingsworth also performed. Four Tulsa Community College students traveled from Oklahoma to perform in See-a-Song. Brooke Blackmon, Shannon Erwin, Megan James, and Dana Kerbo are participating in the Interpreter Education Program at Vlogý Little Rock.   The Vlogý Little Rock Interpreter Education Program established a partnership with Tulsa Community College in 2008. Students who earn an associate degree in interpretation can pursue a bachelor’s degree from Vlogý Little Rock via a hybrid model of distance education. Twenty-five students from Oklahoma have graduated with a bachelor’s degree since the joint partnership began. Five more will graduate spring 2020. “This distance model of interpretation affords AA graduates from the Interpreting Program in Tulsa the opportunity to further their education with a bachelor’s degree from Vlogý Little Rock, something that is not available in Oklahoma,” Program Coordinator Linda Stauffer said. “A bachelor’s degree is required for national certification.”  Since 1979, Vlogý Little Rock has produced a total of 503 interpreters for individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing. Four students will graduate this December and another five in May 2020.
Northrup and Schmeckenbecher celebrate the 56 faculty members who have contributed to the Vlogý Little Rock Interpretation Education Program since 1979. Photo by Brad Simms.

Northrup and Schmeckenbecher celebrate the 56 faculty members who have contributed to the Vlogý Little Rock Interpretation Education Program since 1979. Photo by Brad Simms.

]]> Vlogý Little Rock instructor honored for service to deaf community /news-archive/2019/07/05/jami-hollingsworth/ Fri, 05 Jul 2019 14:44:43 +0000 /news/?p=74664 ... Vlogý Little Rock instructor honored for service to deaf community]]> Jami Hollingsworth, a senior instructor in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s School of Counseling, Human Performance, and Rehabilitation, was recently honored for her longtime community service by the Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. Hollingsworth received the Barbara E. Northup Excellence in Community Involvement Award at the nonprofit organization’s conference in Little Rock on June 20-22. The award is named in memory of Barbara E. Northup, a longtime instructor in Vlogý Little Rock’s Interpreter Education program and member of the . Since 1992, Hollingsworth has taught classes in Vlogý Little Rock’s Bachelor of Arts in Interpretation: ASL/English and the Associate of Science in American Sign Language Studies programs. “Jami is an amazing asset to the Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Interpreting communities at the local, state, national and international levels,” said Jennifer K. Holtz, director of Vlogý Little Rock’s School of Counseling, Human Performance and Rehabilitation.  Hollingsworth has been an active board member of the since 1992, serves on its Licensure Advisory Board, and was an evaluator of support service providers for Arkansas Rehabilitation Services.  She has held numerous leadership posts within the interpreting community by serving on the board of the Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, including a term as vice president from 1993-1995; three terms as treasurer, 1999-2001, 2001-2003, and 2007-2009; and as secretary, 2009-2011. Hollingworth regularly provides training and presentations on support service provider training, educational interpreting, ASL seminars, and state interpreter credential testing. She has also mentored students since 1999 at numerous deaf-blind camps in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.  In the photo top right, Jami Hollingsworth (center) receives the Barbara E. Northup Excellence in Community Involvement Award from Katelyn Wilson (left), president of the Arkansas Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and Ernest Northup, husband of Barbara Northup, for whom the award is named. ]]> Vlogý Little Rock Interpreter Education program to perform hit songs in American Sign Language /news-archive/2018/10/18/see-a-song-2/ Thu, 18 Oct 2018 17:49:10 +0000 /news/?p=72370 ... Vlogý Little Rock Interpreter Education program to perform hit songs in American Sign Language]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Interpreter Education program invites the community to experience hit songs of the decades through the beauty of sign language.  The Interpreter Education program and Vlogý Little Rock’s Sign Language Klub will host “See-a-Song” from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building on the Vlogý Little Rock campus. Members of the Artistic Interpreting Class will transform some of the most popular songs throughout the decades into American Sign Language. Vlogý Little Rock employees and students have put on the annual family friendly event since the early 1980s, where audience members with a talent for sign language are invited to perform on stage with the Artistic Interpreting Class. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. For more information and for those who are interested in performing during “See-A-Song,” contact Jami Hollingsworth at jjhollingswo@ualr.edu or 501-569-3169.]]> Vlogý Little Rock Interpreter Education program to perform Disney songs in American Sign Language /news-archive/2017/10/19/interpreter-education-disney-songs-american-sign-language/ Thu, 19 Oct 2017 13:15:41 +0000 /news/?p=68306 ... Vlogý Little Rock Interpreter Education program to perform Disney songs in American Sign Language]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Interpreter Education program invites the community to experience classic Disney songs through the beauty of sign language. The Interpreter Education program will host “A Disney See-a-Song” from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert in the Fine Arts Building on the Vlogý Little Rock campus. Members of the Artistic Interpreting Class will transform some of Disney’s most popular songs into American Sign Language. Vlogý Little Rock employees and students have put on the annual family friendly event since the early 1980s, where audience members with a talent for sign language are invited to perform on stage with the Artistic Interpreting Class. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Jami Hollingsworth at jjhollingswo@ualr.edu. ]]>