As a strategist, content creator, program coordinator, researcher, journalist, and sometimes spokeswoman, she has always made sure to center a myriad of cultures and perspectives in her work. Currently, she serves as Director of Communications for the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes.  In this role she  leads strategic communications to support people on their path to #deafsuccess.

Over the past 10 years, she has worked in both academic and nonprofit institutions dedicated to increasing opportunities for underserved youth through community engagement, technical writing, international programming, scholarships, second language acquisition training and collaboration with the local governments in the development of their youth master planning. She has worked on several grants, funded by the U.S Department of State’s Education and Cultural Affairs Bureau, aimed towards developing the capacity of local governments and institutions to advance the global competency of deaf and hard of hearing students and professionals through educational and cultural exchange. Increasing access and opportunity for deaf youth has always been her passion and she has enjoyed having roles that help her fulfill this purpose.

Michelle believes that engagement with local communities is important and that intentional communication can change lives for the better. As a strategist, content creator, program coordinator, researcher, advocate, reporter, and sometimes spokeswoman, she has always made sure to center diversity, equity and inclusion in her work. She credits her experiences studying abroad as a black, deaf person for the development of this mindset.

Michelle graduated from Gallaudet University with a B.A. in International Relations and Government. She has studied, worked, and volunteered in over 10 different countries across Europe, South and East Asia. In addition to being fluent in American Sign Language, she is also knowledgeable in the sign languages of Korea, China, Indonesia, Germany, and India—and can somewhat converse in a few of the spoken languages of those countries as well. She is passionate about increasing accessibility for people of color and people with disabilities to pursue every opportunity without barriers.