Ocean County College OceanViews Magazine 2026 Winter Volume 19 Issue 02 - Flipbook - Page 24
PROGRAM PROFILE
THE INTERPRETER TRAINING PROGRAM
OCC’s Interpreter Training Program (ITP)
is a dynamic program that prepares students for meaningful careers as American
Sign Language interpreters. Grounded
in real-world experience, the program
emphasizes community engagement
and hands-on learning that extends far
beyond the classroom.
That approach is shaped by Program Chair
Kathy Basilotto, who brings both professional expertise and lived experience to
her role. As one of 11 siblings, seven of
whom were born deaf, Kathy signed before
she could talk and continues to navigate
both hearing and Deaf worlds daily. That
immersion has enabled her to cultivate
a program that prioritizes active engagement in Deaf culture and maintains strong
ties with the Deaf community.
Basilotto is joined by colleague Saundra
Piscitelli, whose connection to the program runs deep: she was a member of
OCC’s very first ITP cohort. Together, they
provide creative learning experiences that
incorporate Deaf presenters and offer
practical opportunities such as a mock
trial at the Ocean County Courthouse,
interpreting at music concerts, and a
hands-on Deafblind simulation at the
Ocean County Mall, where students work
in pairs – one assuming the role of a guide,
navigating stores and describing items,
while the other, wearing a blindfold and
earplugs, explores the items by touch.
“The exercise helps students develop
empathy, communication skills, and practical strategies for working with Deafblind
individuals,” Basilotto explains.
Students also host special events like Deaf
Awareness Day, the ASL Rock and Roll
Show, and even an annual chess tournament. The Sign Language club organizes
“voices-off” events for ITP and ASL students and members of the Deaf community, including Game Night, Friendsgiving,
and, coming next semester, a Deaf
American Idol competition. These events
exemplify the program’s commitment to
inclusion and accessibility.
The program at OCC is the only interpreter
training program in the state of New
Jersey. What makes it even more unique,
according to Basilotto, is that “it requires
students to complete contact hours
within the Deaf community, observation
hours shadowing professional interpreters, and interpreting hours on campus.
Additionally, the curriculum includes a
Deafblind Interpreting course, which is not
24 Winter 2026
commonly offered in similar programs.
Lastly, students in the program are consistently engaged with the Deaf community,
enriching their cultural understanding
and professional readiness.”
OCC’s ITP graduates earn an A.A.S. degree
and can continue their education or begin
working immediately. The College has
graduates currently attending Gallaudet
University (the world’s only Deaf liberal
arts college) and others working nationally in the field. National certification
requires a bachelor’s degree (available
through OCC’s articulation agreement
with Kean University), but due to ADA
laws, interpreting work remains recessionproof, and nationally certified interpreters
can command substantial salaries. But as
Piscitelli notes, graduates of the program
have plenty of options, since these skills
can apply to any field involving human
interaction—teaching, mental health,
career coaching, even hairdressing.
To be successful, students must be
self-motivated and willing to practice
regularly, but most importantly, Basilotto
stresses, they must be fully committed.
“You can’t be a little good at this,” she
says. She readily admits that the program
is rigorous and standards are high. The
rigor, she explains, ensures OCC graduates provide high-quality service to Deaf
community members who deserve skilled,
prepared professionals.
Get more information about OCC’s
Interpreter Training Program online at
go.ocean.edu/ASL.
The annual Chess Event, sponsored by
the Sign Language Society and the Chess
Club and led by USCF Chess Expert Leroy
Hill, brings together students in the ITP
and ASL programs and Deaf and DeafBlind
community members for a celebration
of Deaf culture. Professors Basilotto and
Piscitelli interpret the event into ASL
while second-year ITP students provide
tactile interpreting for DeafBlind attendees. Started in 2024 by ITP student Ruth
Huebner, the event offers an engaging and
inclusive experience for all participants.
