Tia Ivanko, M.S.,NIC, ADAC is an educator passionate about addressing inequities in education for deaf learners. She is committed to improving systems and increasing the professional capacity of people and entities who provide services for deaf communities.

As Co-Director and Co-principal investigator at the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes (NDC), Ivanko works in tandem with Co-Director Carrie Lou Bloom to manage the organization, particularly leading professional development initiatives, NDC Help Team and technical assistance services, staff development, and project workflows.

As a certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC), and nationally certified interpreter (NIC), Ivanko brings a deep knowledge of accessibility and professional practices from the interpreting field to the technical assistance work. Ivanko is an experienced trainer and mentor to professionals working in education settings and providing services to deaf communities. She has particularly interested in increasing opportunities and representation of Black and Brown professionals in fields serving deaf communities. 

Ivanko is passionate about people. People and relationships have always been central to her engagement with deaf communities. Her commitment to enhancing postsecondary experiences for deaf individuals is fueled by her professional expertise, community connections, and personal dedication to fostering accessible opportunities.

Ivanko steadily advanced to her current role and has worked under this federal funding line for three cycles – continually committed to strengthening accessibility policies and practices, as well as, designing innovative professional development for practitioners in the field. Before joining technical assistance work, she coordinated deaf services at a community college, managed a collegiate program for deaf students, worked as a freelance sign language interpreter, and started her career as a Teacher of the deaf.