Randleman Program
Randleman Program
The Randleman Program
The vision of the Randleman program is to recruit and retain interpreters of color across the field of interpreting. It is fundamental that the interpreting field reflects the unique, diverse, and rich cultural experiences within the Deaf community. By supporting and increasing representation of interpreters of color, we celebrate how the field of interpreting can flourish through cultural competency and diverse perspectives.
Program Offerings & Opportunities
The Randleman Two-Year Preceptorship
The Randleman program was established at the National Technical Institute of the Deaf as a two-year preceptorship to address identified gaps in interpreting education for interpreters of color, while simultaneously focusing on interpreting, diversity, equity, intersectionality and inclusion. Built on four foundational pillars, the Randleman two-year preceptorship empowers proteges to create a personalized curriculum while they gain experience and navigate the field. Proteges work full-time as interpreters in the post-secondary environment, have weekly meetings with their preceptor, weekly small discussions where they define and describe the various issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of interpreting, as well as weekly professional development opportunities tailored to people of color. This position is eleven-months with benefits that follows the RIT academic calendar.
The Randleman Program Summer Intensive for Interpreters of Color
The Randleman Summer Intensive Program was designed to engage interpreters of color nationally and support their emerging careers by introducing participants to the Randleman program and the pillars from which the program is built. This virtual five-week program accepts a total of 16 participants to experience a condenses curriculum modeled after the two-year preceptorship. This program is designed for emerging interpreters in their senior year of an interpreter training program and interpreters with up to five years of experience. This summer intensive program allows for interpreters of color to gain insight into the field of interpreting, analyze their own mental processing while interpreting, discuss the various issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of interpreting, while supporting and networking with other interpreters of color across the nation.
The Randleman Program Summer Intensive for Deaf Interpreters of Color
Program description and applications for Summer 2021 coming soon!
History
Diversity challenges are prevalent in society today, and higher education is no exception. Anecdotal evidence suggests that interpreters of color have a significantly different experience going through interpreter training programs than their white counterparts. Systematic norms catering to the success of the majority often adversely affect students of color. These norms can manifest in oppressive, alienating ways that make it difficult for interpreting students of color to succeed.