Pausing UNH-M interpreting program, post #1

Posted by Jotham Otterson, Chair of the UNH-M ASL/English Interpreter Training Program:

The UNH Manchester ASL/English Interpreting Program is facing a significant challenge. Beginning in Fall 2027, the university plans to pause enrollment for new students in the program.

This decision raises serious concerns about the future of interpreter education, educational opportunities for aspiring interpreters, and access to qualified ASL/English interpreters throughout New Hampshire and the surrounding region.

As Chair of the UNH Manchester ASL/English Interpreting Program Advisory Board, I am reaching out to the Deaf community, interpreters, students, alumni, educators, employers, organizations, and other stakeholders to ask for your support.

**Our goal is to have the pause removed and ensure that the program continues accepting new students.**

We believe this effort requires a coordinated community response. Together, we want to demonstrate student demand, document workforce needs, highlight the importance of regional access to interpreter education, and present a realistic and sustainable plan for restarting enrollment.

### How can you help?

We are asking individuals and organizations to send emails to:

- **Dean Dawn Albertson:** [Dawn.Albertson@unh.edu](mailto:Dawn.Albertson@unh.edu)

- **Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jen Riley:** [Jen.Riley@unh.edu](mailto:Jen.Riley@unh.edu)

Your email should explain who you are, your connection to the program or Deaf community, why the program matters to you, and what you would like the university to do.

To make participation easier, we have prepared six letter/email templates for different groups, including Deaf community members, working interpreters, alumni, potential students, employers, and educators. A general-purpose template is also available.

You can find all six templates and the administrators' email addresses in the comments below the video.

Please personalize your letter by including your own experiences and examples. Individual voices and organizational support are both important.

Organizations are also encouraged to submit letters on official letterhead, with appropriate leadership approval.

**Every email matters. Every voice matters.**

We encourage you to share this announcement with your networks, colleagues, students, alumni, and community organizations. The more voices we bring together, the stronger our message will be.

Let's work together to protect educational opportunities, strengthen the interpreting workforce, and ensure that New Hampshire continues to have access to qualified ASL/English interpreters.

Thank you for your support!