ASLTA Committees & Programs

A great way for a member to become more involved with ASLTA is by serving on one of the committees or programs that help fulfill Association goals. There are two types of committees: Ad Hoc and Standing. Ad hoc committees focus on accomplishing specific tasks, and volunteer service ends once the intended project is completed. Standing committees are permanent and volunteers continue serving until the committee is formally disbanded, or until the volunteer decides to part from the committee.

Common Questions

  • Is ASLTA certification required to serve on a committee? No! All ASLTA members in good standing may serve on committees.
  • How do committees meet? Committees meet and work together via videoconferencing applications.
  • Do committees ever meet in person? If committee members need to gather, then those costs are covered by ASLTA or the specific program.

Benefits of Volunteering

  • You gain direct experience with a national-level organization, which can be a positive addition to your resume.
  • You develop a deeper understanding of how ASLTA works, which can be useful if you want to pursue service on the ASLTA Board.
  • You become an active rather than passive member, involved in helping shape and guide ASLTA into the future.
  • You meet members from all over the country and form new personal and professional connections with people who share a passion for ASL education.

How Does ASLTA Benefit?

  • ASLTA relies on volunteers to run the entire Association. The more volunteers that are involved is directly proportional to what ASLTA can accomplish for all of its members.
  • Development of leadership skills ensures ASLTA has members who are motivated, committed, and willing to serve the Association into the future.
  • The variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences contribute to a healthier and stronger Association, benefitting all members.

Current Committees & Programs

2025 Conference; ASL Honor Society; ASLTA Awards Criteria; Bylaws; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI); Dr. Barbara Kannapell Project: LGBTQIA+ in ASL Education (known as the BK Project); Evaluation Advisory; IPPG; Steering; Writing

More information about each committee and program is below.

APPLY TO JOIN AN ASLTA COMMITTEE

2025 ASLTA Conference Committee

The 2025 conference committee oversees all aspects of ASLTA’s national conference to be held in Washington D.C. This is an ad hoc committee.

More information on the formation of this committee will be forthcoming

Questions? Contact Communications Coordinator
2025 National Professional Development Conference

James Wilson

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Jerri Seremeth

COMMITTEE MEMBER

ASLTA Certification: 

Greta Knigga-Daughterty

FINANCE / REGISTRATION

Jason Zinga

ADVISOR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Katie Moore

PRO. DEV. / SPONSORSHIP

ASLTA Certification: Master

Matt Andersen

COMMUNICATIONS / WEBSITE

ASLTA Certification: Master

ASL Honor Society Program

The ASL Honor Society (ASLHS) is an optional program for ASLTA members who teach at the high school and college levels. The ASLHS recognizes academic achievement by students studying ASL and provides language and culture enrichment opportunities via the national ASL Literature competition held each Spring, and the national Deaf Art competition held each Fall. In addition, the ASL Honor Society provides the nation’s only scholarships for college students majoring or minoring in ASL, Deaf Studies, Deaf Education, or Interpreter Education.

This is a permanent program. 

This program is not seeking additional volunteers at this time. 

ASL HONOR SOCIETY WEBSITE
Questions? Contact the national coordinator

Stephanie Horvath

MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
ASLTA Certification: Master

Devin Lathus

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIR

Melissa Ibanez

GRADUATION SHIPPING CHAIR

Laura Miller

SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Sabrina de Vasconcelos

COMPETITIONS COORDINATOR

Jessica Parker

NATIONAL COORDINATOR

Bylaws Committee

The Bylaws committee oversees the development, maintenance, and updates to the policies that guide how ASLTA functions and fulfills its mission and obligations to members. Committee members typically meet to discuss issues that need clarification in the Bylaws, conduct research to see how other nonprofit organizations function, and can ultimately propose Bylaws amendments to be voted on by members. This is a standing committee.

This committee is not seeking additional volunteers at this time.

Questions? Contact the bylaws chair

Matt Andersen

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

James Wilson

ASLTA Certification: Master

Cathi Holst

Joanna Witulski

ASLTA Certification: Certified

Katie O’Brien

ASLTA Certification: Master

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee helps guide ASLTA to meet the needs of its diverse membership by examining ways in which ASLTA includes and excludes (however unintentionally) members from full participation. The committee makes recommendations regarding inclusive and diverse approaches to promoting a community of respect for all. This is a standing committee.

This committee is seeking additional volunteers.

Questions? Contact the dei committee chair

Matt Andersen

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Sunny Brysch

Nora Owen

Aimee Sever-Hall

ASLTA Certification: Master

Dr. Barbara Kannapell Project: LGBTQIA+ in ASL Education (“BK Project”)

To cultivate ASLTA as an inclusive and supportive environment where its Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community members can thrive as sign language teachers. This includes generating time and space for conversations relating to LGBTQIA+ community, linguistic diversity and educating gender and sexuality within the ASL and Deaf Studies curriculum.

This committee is seeking additional volunteers.

Questions? Contact the bk project committee chair

Matt Andersen

ASLTA Certification: Master

Bo Clements

ASLTA Certification: Master

Elayne Fife-Collier

ASLTA Certification: Qualified

Bridget Klein

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Jared Mnich

Nora Owen

Douglas Tapani

Evaluation Advisory Committee

The Evaluation, Revision, and Appeals committee oversees ASLTA’s Evaluation program. Only those members with ASLTA certification may serve on this committee. The committee is responsible for ensuring each element of the ASLTA certification process reflects best practices and periodically reviews the program for improvement. This is a standing committee.

This committee is not seeking additional volunteers at this time.

Questions? Contact the certification & Evaluation Director

Glenna Ashton

ASLTA Certification: Professional

Amy June Rowley

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Aimee Sever-Hall

ASLTA Certification: Master

Sharon Lott

ASLTA Certification: Professional

IPPG Committee

The Information, Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines (IPPG) handbook contains all of the information needed for ASLTA to function as an organization and maintain its nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. When a new Board member begins service, the IPPG helps that person understand the position, its responsibilities and role, and how ASLTA works as a whole. The IPPG committee is responsible to update the document to ensure the information, policies, procedures, and guidelines are current. Sample work includes:

  • Gathering in one place clear Board position responsibilities and expectations;
  • Developing procedures for change of leadership (having ready the necessary banking forms, e.g.);
  • Updating organization policies (archiving vs. deletion of materials, e.g.)

The IPPG handbook will be posted to the ASLTA website when the update is complete. This is an ad-hoc committee.

This committee is not seeking additional volunteers at this time.

Questions? Contact the committee chair

Matt Andersen

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

James Wilson

ASLTA Certification: Master

Jason E. Zinza

ASLTA Certification: Master

Steering Committee

The Strategic Planning Committee is responsible to develop a 5-year plan guiding ASLTA into the future. The committee will examine where ASLTA is now, identify strengths and weaknesses, and look closely at what members desire versus what ASLTA can deliver as priorities are developed. The committee will focus on these broad areas:

  • Developing a vision statement;
  • Developing a mission statement;
  • Identifying core values;
  • Conducting a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats);
  • Developing short-term goals;
  • Developing long-term goals;
  • Developing yearly objectives;
  • Developing action plans.

This is an ad-hoc committee. 

This committee is not seeking additional volunteers at this time. 

Questions? Contact the committee chair

Bren Falgier

COMMITTEE CHAIR

ASLTA Certification: Master

Detoine Williams

ASLTA Certification: Certified

Marsha Moore

ASLTA Certification: Certified

Katie O’Brien

ASLTA Certification: Master

Jason E. Zinza

ASLTA Certification: Master

Debbie Colbert

ASLTA Certification: Master

Writing Committee

The Writing Committee prepares materials that communicate ASLTA’s perspective on matters of ASL education and advocacy. The committee will prepare documents including, but not limited to:

  • Position papers reflecting best practices in ASL education (use of voice while teaching, e.g.);
  • Developing ASLTA website content;
  • Writing advocacy letters on behalf of ASLTA to leaders, institutions, and organizations (protesting discriminatory hiring practices, e.g.).

The committee will work closely with ASLTA’s Board of Directors to ensure ASLTA remains the nation’s advocate for high standards in ASL education. This is an ad-hoc committee. 

This committee is not seeking additional volunteers at this time. 

Questions? Contact the committee chair

Kara Gournaris

COMMITTEE CHAIR

Rhonda Jennings-Arey

ASLTA Certification: Master

Greta Knigga-Daughterty

Katie O’Brien

ASLTA Certification: Professional

Justin Small

ASLTA Certification: Certified

Steven Whitworth

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