Meet Our Team!

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certifications:

• • Certificate of Interpreting (CI)

  • Certificate of Transliterating (CT)

  • National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

  • Specialist Certification: Legal (SC:L)

Education:

• Ph.D. Cultural Anthropology

• Master Legal Trainer (from National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers)

Licensure/Permits:

• Supreme Court of Ohio Certified Interpreter

• Ohio Department of Education Licensed Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired

Accolades:

• Winner of the Russell Moore Award, a distinguished service award from Ohio Chapter of the Registry for the Deaf

Dr. Linda Ross has been involved in the field of interpreting in numerous capacities for more than 35 years. She has worked as a freelance interpreter in social service, health service, business and corporate, educational, legal, and public settings; as interpreter coordinator for a state funded agency providing services to three counties within Ohio and for a major university; and interpreter educator in both academic (2 year and 4 year programs) and non-academic (professional development) settings during her career. In addition to her work as an interpreter educator, Linda has also taught Anthropology and Sociology courses at both 2 and 4 year institutions. She is currently the Founding Associate of Hallenross and Associates, LLC, a sign language interpretation and professional development company founded over 19 years ago.

Linda has also contributed to the field of interpreting by serving as a member of the Board of Editors for the Journal of Interpretation, Content Expert in the development of the National Interpreter Certification (NIC), NIC Review Task Force member, First Vice President of the Ohio Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (OCRID), Bylaws Committee Member (OCRID), Awards Committee Chair. (OCRID), and on several conference planning committees at both the regional and state level. In addition, she has presented at local, state and national levels.

Along with the CI, CT and NIC - Master from RID, Linda holds the RID Specialist Certificate - Legal, the Ohio Department of Education Associate: Interpreter for Hearing Impaired License and is recognized as a certified legal interpreter by the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Linda holds an A.A. in interpreting/transliteration along with a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in cultural anthropology specializing in American Deaf culture, culture transmission and learning, sociolinguistics, and anthropology and education. Her research into the transmission and learning of Deaf culture has given her the privilege of experiencing residential school life first hand while living in the dorm. She was also a trained interviewer and rater for the Sign Language Communication Proficiency Interview (SLPI).

Partner

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certifications:

• • Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC)

  • National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

  • Specialist Certification: Legal (SC:L)

Education:

• Master Legal Trainer (from National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers)

Licensure/Permits:

• Supreme Court of Ohio Certified, Rostered Interpreter

• Ohio Department of Education Licensed Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired

Accolades:

• Winner of both the Russell Moore and Darlene Jahn Award, distinguished service awards from the Ohio Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf

Ben Hall began his professional interpreting career over 40 years ago as a freelance interpreter in Central Ohio. He has worked as an adjunct instructor in the Interpreting Education Program at Columbus State Community College and served as a Commissioner for the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Educators (CCIE), which is the only accreditation body for sign language interpreter programs. He has also worked as the national Director for Interpreter Relations at CSD (Communication Services for the Deaf), the largest deaf organization in the world.

Ben served on the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Board of Directors for 13 years in varying capacities, including President of RID. Some of his professional contributions include: overseeing development of the NAD-RID National Interpreter Certification (NIC) and the Code of Professional Standards; collaborating with then NAD President Libby Pollard to co-author the State NAD–RID Collaboration Plan designed to foster networking between NAD and RID at the state and local levels.

Ben is a Master Legal Trainer by the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers (NCIEC). He is a former mentor/trainer with the MARIE/DOIT Center at the University of Northern Colorado. He was previously involved with the Train-the-Trainer program with Project CLIMB: Cultivating Legal Interpreters from Minority Backgrounds which serves to increase the number of interpreters of color and heritage signing backgrounds by creating career paths for specialization in legal interpreting for practitioners from these underrepresented communities.

Coordinating & CMP Processing Associate

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf certification:

• • National Interpreter Certification (NIC) - Advanced

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work

• Associate degree in Sign Language Interpretation

Licensure/Permits:

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Heather graduated from Columbus State Community College in 1994 with her Associates degree in Interpreting/Transliteration of American Sign Language. Heather received her NIC Advanced certification in September of 2010 and she holds an Ohio Department of Education Substitute License as an educational interpreter.

Heather has interpreted at all levels in the public education setting as well as post secondary educations. She also has experience in the medical and religious settings. She worked for the Ohio Deaf-Blind Outreach Program. Heather has also served on the local and state boards of OCRID.

Heather has worked for Hallenross since 2008.

Business Development Associate

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certifications:

• • National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

Education:

• Master of Arts degree in Interpreting Studies

• Bachelor's of Arts degree in ASL-English Interpretation

• Associate of Applied Science in ASL-English Interpretation

Licensure/Permits:

• Supreme Court of Ohio Rostered Interpreter

• Ohio Department of Education Licensed Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired

Grace received her NIC certification from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in 2013 and has held an Ohio Department of Education License as an Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired since 2008. Grace has experience working in K-12, post-secondary, business, social services, medical, video relay and conference settings.

Grace is also dedicated to supporting the interpreting community at large and recently served as the President of OCRID.

Coordinating Associate

Education:

• Master's Degree in Educational Leadership - MEd

• Master's Degree in Business Adminstration - MBA

Licensure:

• Ohio Department of Education Highly Qualified Teacher Licensure

Laura comes to Hallenross with decades of administrative experience and an open heart for all people. She is new to Deaf culture and the interpreting profession; however is not new to working with people with disabilities.

Laura has begun continuing education classes to learn ASL and to become more well-versed in the Deaf experience and how to serve properly.

Accessibility and Culture Consultant

Education:

• Master's degree in Deaf Studies: Cultural Studies

• Bachelor's Degree in Deaf Studies

Meredith graduated from Gallaudet University, with both a Bachelors and Masters degree in Deaf Studies and Deaf Cultural Studies. She hails from central Ohio and is an avid fan of The Ohio State University Buckeye. She identifies as a proud DeafDisabled person. Meredith is also a published writer*. She cowrote "My Deaf Is Not Your Deaf: Realizing Intersectional Realities at Gallaudet University" with peers in her graduate school cohort which was published as an article in the edited book It's a Small World. Meredith also works well with interpreters, and has taught interpreting classes and various classes at Columbus State Community College. She also has been teaching Disability Studies at Gallaudet, online.

For fun, Meredith watches OSU football religiously every Saturday, and loves to go camping and hiking. In the summer she loves to swim and play pool basketball, and she also likes to ride her tricycle. Meredith has an adorable boxer, Dexter (yes, named after Dexter, the show), who is also her Certified Hearing Service Dog. She loves to play with Dexter.

Interpreting Associate

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf Certifications:

• National Interpreter Certification (NIC)

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language Interpretation

• Deaf Studies Certificate

Mikayla graduated from the Interpreter Education Program (IEP) at Columbus State Community College (CSCC) in 2018. After graduation, she began to work as a Contract Interpreter for several different agencies in order to gain experience in a variety of settings. Mikayla has worked at Columbus Colony Elderly Care (CCEC) for 4 years as both a receptionist and a part-time staff interpreter.

Mikayla has participated in a variety of professional development programs. Recently, she participated in St. Catherine University’s (CATIE Center) Graduation to Certification Track where graduates are given the opportunity to join online workshops in order to improve their skills and obtain the National Interpreter Certification (NIC). Previously, she participated in Hallenross’s “New Professional Learning Committee” where recent graduates meet with more experienced interpreters to learn about the field.

Mikayla's interpreting experience includes medical, video-relay, postsecondary, DeafDisabled, Deaf-Blind, and social justice.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology

• Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language Interpretation

Licensure/Permits:

• Ohio Department of Education Licensed Interpreter for the Hearing Impaired

Megan began working with the Deaf Community as a volunteer at Columbus Colony Elderly Care (CCEC), a care facility with a large percentage of Deaf residents, in 2010. In 2011 she became a state-tested nurse's aide and continued working at CCEC for several years.

After graduating from Columbus State Community College with a degree in ASL/English Interpretation in 2014, she transitioned into an interpreting position at CCEC. She accredits much of her understanding and connection to the Deaf community to the relationships and growth she experienced while there.

Megan is currently a co-editor for the Ohio Citizens for Deaf Cultures newsletter, "The Deaf Reader."

During her time as an ASL/English interpreter, Megan has gained experience in a wide variety of interpreting settings, including; medical, social services, business, government events, post-secondary, and religious services. She is experienced in platform interpreting, video interpreting (including VRS), Deafblind interpreting, and enjoys working with Deaf Interpreter teams.

Megan's daily goal is to make life a little easier for those around her. In the long run, she strives to contribute to the interpreting profession at large by helping others grow, via providing the support and tools necessary to succeed.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science degree in American Sign Language Interpretation

Bryan comes to Hallenross and Associates after graduating with honors from the Columbus State Community College Interpreter Education Program in 2020. In addition to his time at CSCC, Bryan attributes his skills and experience to his interactions with the Deaf Community in religious settings which began in his early teens.

In addition to his work with Hallenross, Bryan also has experience working in video relay service.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Education

• Associate of Science

Chadd is a recent graduate of Columbus State Community College’s Interpreter Education Program. He has 3 years of interpreting experience, primarily in the Video Relay setting. As well as, K-12, Post-Secondary, and in the workplace. He has volunteer interpreting experience with the DeafBlind community and Religious settings.

Chadd comes from a tight knit Deaf family which has provided him with a passion for ASL, accessible communication, and unique second hand experiences of the many obstacles Deaf people can face. Through his work, he intends to be recognized for his respect, accuracy, and trust. One of Chadd’s favorite quotes is, “an interpreter should never leave an assignment knowing more than the consumer,” and he uses that as a standard for his work.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Education

Marc is a recent graduate of Columbus State Community College’s Interpreter Education Program. He has 5 years of interpreting experience, primarily in the Video Relay setting, as well as, K-12, Post-Secondary, medical, platform, performance and in the workplace. He has volunteer interpreting experience with the DeafBlind community and in Religious settings. He also volunteers with Deaf World Against Violence Everywhere (DWAVE).

Marc comes from a tight-knit Deaf family and community which has unknowingly fueled his passion for providing accessible communication in ASL and English. Through this unique first and second-hand experience of the many obstacles Deaf people can face, he wants to be recognized for his compassion, respect, equality, and accuracy, on top of building trust through his work and with everyone he meets and works with. He continues to grow his knowledge by learning about anything and everything he can because he believes as an interpreter you need to have at least a basic understanding of what you’re interpreting.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Education

Mackenzie graduated from the Interpreter Education Program (IEP) at Columbus State Community College in 2010. After graduation, Mackenzie began her career by working in a K-12 educational setting for 5 years. After that, Mackenzie accepted a position as a designated interpreter at OCALI (Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence,) where she worked for the next 4 years. While working at OCALI, she also worked as a Video Relay interpreter part-time.

Later, Mackenzie transitioned to community interpreting. She has experience working in a variety of settings including, post-secondary, business, medical, religious settings, events, and conferences. Mackenzie believes in the importance of continuing education in the interpreting field and plans to take the NIC test within the coming year.

Interpreting Associate

Education:

• Currently working on a Masters in Mental Health Counseling

• Bachelor of Arts in ASL - English Interpreting

• Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Education

Anicia has worked as a Sign Language Interpreter since 2014 providing interpreting services on site and virtually, in a multitude of settings. These settings include medical, higher education, business, government, video relay service, and more. She is strongly committed to providing maximum, quality service in a professional manner. Her passion is to continue to empower those around her to achieve their goals, no matter their circumstance.

Check out our Careers page for information on opportunities with Hallenross.