ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's Signed Language Interpreting Program has been re-accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education. This recognition reaffirms its status as a leading institution for aspiring interpreters. Established in 1983, the program is one of the longest-running bachelor's degrees in signed language interpreting, admitting around 14 students annually. It first received accreditation in 2013 from the commission, which remains the sole accrediting body for signed interpreting education.

Barbara Shaffer, a professor of Linguistics and former director of the SLI Program, commented on the program's history: “We’ve been preparing interpreters since our first class graduated around 1987. Since then, we’ve prepared a vast majority of signed language interpreters in New Mexico.” Shaffer also guided the program through its recent re-accreditation process.

According to the commission’s website, only 19 programs hold this accreditation. The standards include a mandatory 300-hour supervised internship, a curriculum aligned with deaf community values, and diverse exposure to deaf individuals. UNM met these criteria without any stipulations.

Students intern at various local organizations such as the New Mexico School for the Deaf and Albuquerque Public Schools. Besides American Sign Language fluency, they study subjects related to deaf culture. With an increase in residents who are both deaf and blind in New Mexico, the program is expanding its teachings on interpretation types for those with blindness or low vision.

Graduates can obtain a provisional license to interpret in New Mexico and begin national certification processes.

Monica Sower, an alumna who became nationally certified shortly after graduating in 2007, shared her experience: “Without the preparation of the program exposing me to those things from the get-go, I would not have been able to thrive in the settings I have thrived in.” Initially intending to teach English, she switched majors after discovering her passion for ASL.

Sower praised the program’s ability to train students from no prior knowledge: “It shows that by the time you graduate...you are prepared to go and enter the profession.”

She also highlighted how alumni support new interpreters: “That community of alumni we’ve created has really allowed...the morality of interpreters to grow.”

The re-accreditation involved submitting a detailed self-study report followed by a site visit from faculty members of other universities. The final report commended UNM's recruitment and retention of high-caliber faculty: “As evidenced by numerous comments made by students...the UNM Signed Language Interpreting program is extremely well-regarded.”

UNM’s impact extends beyond interpreter preparation; over 700 students enroll annually in introductory ASL courses. Shaffer noted their influence: “Those classes have a huge community impact...I think that’s really important.”

The SLI Program's legacy continues to expand its reach and influence within New Mexico.