Anna Lumley

 I dedicated myself to the study of American Sign Language.  The immersive nature of my ASL education has been instrumental in fostering effective communication within the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Beyond the academic setting, my experiences in high school and college have instilled in me a profound appreciation for the expressive and inclusive nature of sign language. 

My favorite subject that I learned and excelled in during my college experience was learning about mental health with young children and adults. I got the chance to employ these skills in my internship with Project FOCUS where I was able to learn inclusive education strategies for students with disabilities. I was able to work with students at their internships, be an extra hand in class, as well as build their individual confidence throughout their experience. My internship also reinforced my commitment to advocating for inclusive practices and understanding the unique needs of each individual. In the future, I hope to continue working with children in schools, as well as families, leveraging my expertise to make meaningful contributions in educational settings. Attending graduate school is a crucial step in this journey, as it will enable me to deepen my knowledge, engage in cutting-edge research, and ultimately drive systemic changes that promote inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals with disabilities.