The American Sign Language and Deaf Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross was one of the three community service programs statewide highlighted in a video that showcases the range of volunteer work that students, faculty and staff from independent colleges and universities in Massachusetts regularly undertake.
The program was selected by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts (AICUM), which compiled a report last summer to measure the positive impact that its member colleges have on their communities. AICUM serves as a voice for public policy matters relating to independent higher education in Massachusetts.
Last summer, with the aid of intern Holy Cross junior Claire Rheaume, a political science major from Westfield, AICUM conducted the survey of volunteer programs at the state’s 56 private colleges and universities, and made site visits to interview community relations executives.
After sifting through her findings, AICUM selected three programs with strong visuals to highlight in the video. The 11-minute video debuted last month before approximately 600 guests at AICUM’s 40th anniversary gala in Boston.
Since 1998, students enrolled in American Sign Language and Deaf Studies courses join members of the Holy Cross swim team to offer lessons for deaf, hard of hearing, children of deaf adults and siblings at Holy Cross’ Hart Center Pool. Instruction is in American Sign Language.
The “DEAFinitely Swim Program” hosts about 35 to 40 children each year — with some families traveling more than an hour to participate. Lessons begin in early March and run through the end of April. (The ASL program also hosts skating and tutoring programs for Deaf children.)
“Stepping outside the classroom walls and into the community is where the learning begins for many students,” says Judy Fask, director of Deaf Studies at Holy Cross. “Connections are made between intellectual theory and the realistic world. Community-Based Learning partnerships, a component of some Deaf Studies classes, are ways we learn to value the resources that we offer one another. Students believe that Community-Based Learning pedagogy adds value to their academic and lifelong education; enhanced by the ‘hands-on’ learning — with ASL that is literal.”
Although Rheaume has never taken a Deaf Studies class at Holy Cross, she’s glad that a community service program from the College was selected among the many programs across the state.
“AICUM has a lot of credibility and is also very well connected to other organizations around the nation,” she says. “I was impressed to find out that Holy Cross’ programs stand out among some of the best colleges in the country. I think that oftentimes, Holy Cross students take for granted the opportunities that are available to us.”
Rheaume is also happy that she had the opportunity to work on the community benefit survey for AICUM.
“I learned a great deal about the town-gown relations and about the issues that arise for schools in an increasingly competitive higher education system,” she says. “This internship, along with my political science classes at Holy Cross has allowed me to understand what I want to do later in life.”
The internship, which she landed with the help of Holy Cross’ Summer Internship Program, inspired her to apply for the Washington Semester Program, where she will earn hands-on experience related to her major in Washington, D.C. during spring semester. She will be working for Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.
Rheaume is no stranger to politics. Aside from her major, she is secretary of the College Democrats at Holy Cross, and member of the Student Advisory Committee for the political science department and the Voter Registration Committee.
She has also been a resident assistant, fall orientation leader, member of the Women’s Forum, plays intramural volleyball and is involved in Best Buddies, a group dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.
Watch the AICUM video (the Holy Cross segment appears in the first few minutes).
Related Information:
- American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- Profile: Judy Fask, director of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
- Summer Internship Program
- Attend a Mass in American Sign Language this semester
