Our Alumni

Amanda Howerton-Fox (MA ‘ 02 PhD ‘13 ) serves as Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Advanced Certificate in Working with Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children at Iona University. In addition to her work in higher education, she is currently pursuing a law degree at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, further expanding her expertise in advocacy and policy. Drawn to DHH program’s strong foundation in linguistics and cognitive science, she valued the faculty’s emphasis on the central role of language in deaf children’s development and education. This focus, along with a commitment to practices that support language and literacy growth, continues to shape her work across teaching, program leadership, and legal studies.

Ronda Rufsvold (PhD ’18) is the Executive Director of the CCHAT Center in Sacramento, California, where she leads innovative programming and advocacy efforts for children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Ronda credits her doctoral experience with providing both depth and flexibility, allowing her to tailor her studies to align with her professional goals. Alongside advanced coursework in statistics and research methods, she pursued interdisciplinary studies in federal education policy, linguistics, and neuroscience. These fields enriched her perspective and strengthened her ability to approach her work through a broader, more integrated lens. She values the program for fostering connections across disciplines and empowering her to intersect diverse areas of knowledge - an approach that continues to shape her leadership and impact in the field today.

Brynne Powell (PhD ‘25)is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Graduate Director of the Deaf Education Graduate Program at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brynne credits her experience in the program to the strong mentorship and collaborative opportunities that supported her development as a scholar and educator. These experiences fostered her critical thinking, research skills, and professional growth, ultimately shaping her pathway into higher education. She is especially grateful to Dr. Hartman and Dr. Smolen for their guidance and for helping prepare her to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Marian Patricia Bea Francisco (MA ‘ 18 PhD ‘ 20 )is the Dean and a Full Professor in the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila, Philippines. In this role, she leads academic programming, supports faculty development, and advances initiatives. Reflecting on her time in the TC program, she values its emphasis on diversity, open dialogue, and intellectual growth. Her experience reinforced the importance of respecting different perspectives and engaging thoughtfully with ideas that may challenge one’s own. This mindset continues to shape her leadership and professional practice, supporting inclusive and dynamic learning environments.

Hayley Gudovitz (Class of 2012) holds an MA and M.Ed. in Deaf Education and Early Childhood for TC and is currently an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) with Montclair Public Schools, where she serves as the sole TOD for the entire district. In this role, she supports students across schools, collaborating with educators and families to ensure access to language, learning, and inclusive educational experiences. She credits her student teaching placements during her TC program as instrumental in launching her career, directly leading to her first position after graduation. Hayley also values the lasting professional network she developed through the program, noting that her former classmates are now trusted colleagues in the closely connected TOD community. She particularly appreciates the strong instructional foundation she received and is grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Hartman, whose teaching continues to influence her work today.

Jeanne Bradley (Class of 2004) holds an MA and M.Ed. in Deaf Education and Early Childhood for TC and is a Principal with the New York City Department of Education in District 75. Jeanne credits her time in the TCDHH program with shaping her understanding of literacy as a flexible, student-centered process. She values learning to consider multiple pathways to literacy, recognizing that students access the written word in different ways. This perspective continues to guide her leadership and instructional approach, ensuring that teaching meets students where they are and supports their individual growth.

Yiru Chen (Class of 2021) holds the MA in the Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from TC and is currently teaching at St. Francis de Sales School for the Deaf in Brooklyn, New York. Yiru reflects on the program as transformative in expanding her understanding of deaf education beyond pedagogy, reframing it as an inquiry into access, identity, and justice. This perspective sharpened her teaching and deepened her critical awareness of language deprivation, systemic barriers, and the role of educators as advocates. Her experience continues to shape her practice, particularly in centering Deaf perspectives and designing learning environments where students are fully seen and empowered.

Nadia Iftekhar (Class of 2015) earned her MA and M.Ed. in Deaf Education and Elementary Inclusive Education and is the Founder of Modal Education, where she works as a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, supporting students across a range of educational settings. Through her work, she focuses on creating responsive, inclusive learning experiences tailored to diverse student needs. Nadia values the diversity of experiences and comprehensive training she received, which prepared her to work effectively with a wide range of learners. The program provided a strong foundation while also exposing her to varied perspectives, learning needs, and educational contexts. She credits this experience, along with the mentorship and support of faculty, with shaping her into a flexible, thoughtful, and impactful educator.

Dylan M. Bowden (Class of 2025) earned his MA in Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with an Advanced Certification in Literacy and is currently an Itinerant Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the New York City Public Schools. In this role, he supports students’ language and literacy development while collaborating with school teams to ensure equitable access to instruction. Dylan values the dedication of the program’s professors, advisors, and co-teachers, whose commitment to preparing well-rounded deaf educators played a key role in his development. Their mentorship continues to inform his practice as he supports diverse learners in inclusive educational settings.