Source: The Atlantic
During an interview with The Atlantic, Carolyn McCaskill, professor of deaf studies at Gallaudet University, explained the importance of mentors in the lives of students, regardless of whether they are deaf or not.
“I think it’s absolutely critical that students have that sense of, ‘I can approach someone here for help, and that individual will be willing to listen, and be willing to give me counsel and invest in me.”
McCaskill, who is also deaf, mentored student Franklin Jones Jr. –a young, deaf, black and gay man – into graduating from college and pursuing graduate school.
Jones Jr. was invited to deliver remarks at his graduation ceremony.
Jones Jr. told The Atlantic that “Everyone needs support, and I wanted to share that message, and I wanted to show people that I was able to make it, because often times I’ve seen many black deaf men that just don’t graduate. There is not enough support in place for these students.”
In America, there are only 14 black, deaf Americans with Ph.D.s.
Read full story at: The Atlantic