In June 2021, we established a CORE Chapter in Lansing, Michigan and we had a great Cycle 1. We are proud of our CORE MI family and the success we have seen so far. If you are interested in joining us in Lansing, Michigan, please email us at coreinterpretersmi@gmail.com.

TOTAL PRO BONO HOURS clocked since estd: 225

COACHES

eRIN HUMANN

Erin Humann, NIC, BEI III, M/MH & DB endorsed, has been working as a sign language interpreter for almost 20 years.  Throughout her extensive career she has specialized in various fields within our profession, including theater, post-secondary, community and medical.   She currently holds her NIC and BEI 3, with endorsements in medical/mental health, legal and DeafBlind in the state of Michigan. She has taken a step back from the day-to-day of interpreting to focus on raising her two young boys but continues to give her time to mentoring the next generation of interpreters.  She is also  the current President of MIRID.

JAMIE RIX

Jamie Rix, CI, CT, SC:L, BEI-Master, EIPA, has over 25 years of professional interpreting and teaching experience. Jamie interprets in various settings and presents workshops about such topics as interpreter certification and testing, best practices for working with Deaf and hard of hearing students, self-assessment techniques, mentoring and legal interpreting. She presented to organizations such as the National Association of Interpretive Naturalists regarding ways to accommodate county parks programs for Deaf and hard of hearing visitors and the National Consortium of Interpreter Education Centers regarding power and privilege in the language choices of interpreters. Jamie graduated from Western Michigan University (WMU) with a BA in Sociology with an emphasis in Social Psychology, and a minor in Criminal Justice. She began graduate studies at the University of Northern Colorado where she participated in the Legal Interpreter Training Program, which culminated in a MA in Communications from WMU in 2017. Currently Jamie teaches ASL at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and WMU. While she loves interpreting and teaching, she can’t resist the call of the great outdoors to enjoy kayaking, hiking and camping. If you can’t reach her, she’s off the grid!

Barbara Hinson

Barbara Hinson, CSC, M/MH & DB endorsed, is an active, certified interpreter with RID for 35+ years, and registered with the State of Michigan. She has served on the Qualified Interpreter Board as well as a facilitator of workshops, and mentor throughout her  35+ year career.  She was an instructor at Madonna University in the Sign Language Studies program for several years.  In addition she was a director of  the Sorenson VRS Center in Ann Arbor for 16 years. Barbara holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in education.

james cech

James Cech, BEI III, M/MH & DB endorsed, is currently a staff interpreter at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan Health, and owner/performing interpreter with Synergy On Stage. He is a graduate of, and formerly an instructor at, Baker College’s Interpreter Training Program, and he earned his BA in Interpreting Studies from Madonna University. He maintains a private practice and specializes in medical, political, business and entertainment interpreting. He is also interested in physical health and repetitive motion injuries. He has been a certified interpreter since 2010, and a licensed trainer of The Community Interpreter® International since 2018.

LANGUAGE MENTOR

tanya timmerman

Tanya Timmerman, B.S., FS-I, is a graduate of Grand Valley State University with a major in Health Professions and a minor in Psychology. She is an ASL instructor at Western Michigan University (WMU) and Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC). Currently, Tanya works as the ASL coordinator and Faculty Specialist for the WMU ASL program as such she fosters relationships between WMU students and the local Deaf community. Additionally she serves as a member of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion. As a biracial Deaf female, Tanya offers a unique, intersectional perspective of Deafness, race, gender, culture and has a candid and often humorous approach to difficult discussions on these topics. Tanya believes in the power of community. To support this, she is the Community Organization Coordinator for Kalamazoo Area Deaf Night Out, an organization that hosts events/socials for the local Deaf community. Additionally, Miss Timmerman is the Deaf Representative of Dream Agriculture, a STEM.org accredited non-profit organization that works to provide access to STEM topics for Deaf students. Got an ASL or Deaf culture related question? Hit her up!

Joyce LaHaye

Joyce Layhaye is a long standing member of the Michigan Deaf community.  She has taught ASL for over forty years, worked as a tutor, and a mentor for local area colleges, schools, churches, and other organizations.  Joyce continues to give back to the greater Flint Deaf/Interpreting Community by serving as a coordinator and co-host for on-going deaf social events.   

In addition, Joyce and her husband of 23 years, James love to spend time with theirr three daughters, son-in-laws, grandsons, and other family members. She is very excited to be a part of CORE MI.

Rachel Schulbaum

Rachel Schulbaum, BS, MA CMHC, was born and raised on Long Island, New York, attended Rochester Institute of Technology for her undergraduate studies, and Gallaudet University for her masters degree.  She has 11 years of experience working as a Substance Abuse Counselor in the field of Drug Addiction, Recidivism, Mental Health, and Social/Emotional Counseling with adolescents.  In addition, Rachel is an ASL instructor, currently working at Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College.  Her emphasis, and most recent focus has been in the realm of ASL Linguistics.  

Rachel resides in Kalamazoo with her partner, and three furbabies. She enjoys camping, reading books, and playing Dungeon and Dragons online with her Deaf D&D community. She is excited to be a part of CORE MI and supporting the next generation. 

support crew

cindy wood

Cindy Wood, MAI, NIC and Endorsed in Michigan for Medical/MH and DB. She is a Michigan native but has lived in several other states over the past 30 years. She graduated from Adrian College with a degree in Business Marketing, worked in retail and property management for many years before returning to school. She attended University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee for her ITP then received her Masters of Interpretation from Gallaudet University in 2006. In 2009 she moved to Virginia Beach where she freelanced and taught Foundations of Interpreting for 6 years at Tidewater Community College before moving back to her home state of Michigan in 2015. From 2016-2020 she served as the MIRID Treasurer and launched her own Professional Development website, CWoodPD in 2020. She has been interpreting since 2005, works mostly in medical and post-secondary settings along with VRS. When she is not interpreting she can be found adventuring with her 9-year-old son, Trevor, and partner Matt. They enjoy camping, hiking, and discovering new breweries wherever they go.

Manda Duda

Manda Duda, BAS, BEI II, NIC and Endorsed in Michigan for Medical/Mental Health. She is originally from Northwest Ohio (don't hold that against her) and moved to Michigan in 2013 to attend Madonna University. She graduated from Madonna with a bachelor's in Sign Language Studies with a focus on interpreting in 2016. Manda took her BEI performance test prior to graduation and in the summer of 2016 she began working full time as a freelance interpreter. In 2019 she passed the NIC performance test and began working as a freelance medical interpreter. She then earned her BEI II in 2020 and is planning to take the BEI III in the future.

Manda understands the importance of mentors and the impact they have on the field. She is excited to be a part of CORE and is looking forward to improving the interpreting community for the Deaf community here in Michigan. With the little free time she has, Manda is an avid crocheter, fitness/health buff, leads a Bible study and she enjoys hiking and hanging out along the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes with her husband, dog, and bearded dragon (the cat stays home!).

stephanie carver hanney

Stephanie Carver Hanney, graduated from Oakland University in 2018 with a BA in Psychology and shortly after joined and graduated from their ITP.  She is an alumni of CORE MI Cycle 2, and is excited to continue to be a part of the CORE MI family. When not working on ASL / Interpreting studies, she works full time as an admin/event coordinator for an engineering firm, and coaches high school gymnastics. She loves to travel, visit MLB ballparks, and support the Cubs. You can also catch her spending time with her husband at a drag strip watching him race, or with him and her pup outdoors seeking adventure.