Dawn M. Wessling

I have been working as a signed language interpreter for over 30 years and have been teaching interpreting and related topics in academic and workshop settings for 20+ years. I learned American Sign Language from the Deaf community while I was on active duty in the United States Navy and continue to have strong ties to the community. I serve as an associate instructor and the staff interpreter for the College of Education and Human Services. I received my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland, University College, Europe in 2006 and I am a graduate of the University of North Florida with a Master of Education with a concentration in ASL/English Interpreting (Class of 2012-#SWOOP). I completed my PhD in 2020 at Gallaudet University which focused on the attrition of novice ASL/English interpreters. My research interests include cognition in natural ASL discourse versus interpreted discourse, interpreted emotional utterances, spoken English accent, and language policy in interpreter education. I have published studies and presented on research regarding language modality in interpreter education, video relay service interpreting, and language shaming in interpreter education in the US and Europe. I am a veteran of the United States Navy, the wife of a retired sailor, and a native of New Jersey. My hobbies include cooking, creative arts, reading Stephen King works and all things geek-related.