Naomi Sheneman, Ph.D., CDI, Instructional Assistant Professor 

Dr. Sheneman has been working professionally in the interpreting profession since 2000 in various roles. She is a consultant, researcher, educator, interpreter, and evaluator. She is the first deaf woman to receive a Ph.D. degree in Interpretation from Gallaudet University in 2018. She gives presentations and training both nationally and internationally, focusing on ethics, deaf interpreters’ work, power dynamics in interpretation, and medical interpreting. In 2022, she received the “Excellence in Research” award from the Conference of Interpreter Trainers.

Robyn Brittain, M.A., Adjunct Faculty

Robyn Brittain received her master’s degree in deaf studies and deaf education from Lamar University. She has been teaching deaf education and ASL in high school since 2007 as well as teaching at UH since 2012. Plus, she is the INTN coach for UH national anthem for the past several years.

Terrell Brittain, Instructional Assistant Professor

Terrell Brittain is a graduate of the master’s degree program in deaf studies and deaf education at Lamar University. He is an accomplished teacher at both the secondary and higher education levels. His expertise is in American Sign Language and deaf culture. He is known for incorporating humor into his teaching, putting his students at ease as they learn the complicated task of communicating in a visual modality. Terrell’s major focus is deaf studies.

Welcome Video

Merrilee Gietz, Instructional Associate Professor

Merrilee “Mizzy” Gietz was raised and educated in Alberta, Canada. She has been teaching students in American Sign Language (ASL) interpreting programs in higher post-secondary education for nearly 20 years. Gietz has made several conference and workshop presentations on topics such as ASL haikus, ASL depictions and various topics related to ASL teaching and interpreting. She earned her Ed.D. degree in deaf studies and deaf education, 2013 at Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. View her full bio here.

Welcome Video

Scot Pott, Instructional Associate Professor

Remembering Dr. Scot Pott (1964-2022)

Dr. Pott worked at University of Houston for almost a decade. He was an associate professor in our Interpreting and Translation - ASL/English program. Dr. Pott was passionate about American Sign Language (ASL) and training people to become interpreters. He earned his bachelor's degree from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., master's degree of Public Health from the School of Public Health at The University of Texas Health Science Center - Houston, and educational doctorate's degree in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education from Lamar University in Beamont, TX.  Dr. Pott taught ASL courses throughout Texas, Nevada, and Michigan for 25 years. His students appreciated patience, his willingness to explain things in multiple ways, and his larger-than-life energy in the classroom. His colleagues and students were inspired by his dedication to teaching, his commitment to expanding acceptance and accessibility, and his willingness to always fight for what is right. He was also active in a variety of Deaf organizations, including the Texas Association of the Deaf. In 2021, the organization honored him with an outstanding achievement award. He was also a member of as a Texas Board of Evaluator of Interpreters (BEI) rater for both Michigan and Texas. We miss him dearly, and we move our best to continue his legacy through our INTN program at University of Houston.

Aylin Castro, B.A., ASLI Academic Advisor

Aylin Castro received a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability Studies and in History from The University of Texas at Austin. She is the Academic Advisor for the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate, Post-Baccalaureate Leveling, and Interpreting and Translation - ASL/English Programs. Aylin is passionate about helping students achieve their academic goals.