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Kimberly Kuhns
Kimberly Kuhns, born Deaf, serves as Chairperson of the ASL and Deaf Studies Department at Johnson County Community College. She was a faculty member in the ASL–English Interpreting Training Program for over ten years before the program closed several years ago, bringing extensive experience in interpreter education and Deaf-centered instruction. She now serves as Chairperson and Professor of the ASL and Deaf Studies Department, where she teaches all ASL and Deaf Studies courses.
Professor Kuhns holds a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language, graduating magna cum laude from Gallaudet University, and a Master of Arts in the Teaching of American Sign Language as a Foreign Language from Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City.
With more than 20 years of involvement in Deaf and interpreting communities, she has served on numerous committees dedicated to education, advocacy, and professional standards. In addition to her teaching and leadership responsibilities, she is one of the faculty advisors for the JCCC ASL Club, supporting student engagement and meaningful connections with the Deaf community beyond the classroom.
Steven Barrios
Steven Barrios teaches Beginning American Sign Language I & II as well as Intermediate American Sign Language I & II classes. He is also one of the faculty advisors for the JCCC ASL Club.
Born Deaf, Professor Barrios began teaching American Sign Language classes for Olathe Public Schools, where he helped develop the basis for adding a second year of ASL courses to the district’s curriculum. Professor Barrios holds a Master's degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University.
Ron Symansky
Ronald Symansky teaches Elementary American Sign Language I – ASL 120 and Intermediate American Sign Language I – ASL 122 in ASL/Deaf Studies.
He started his career as a Social Studies teacher at Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C., and taught as an adjunct ASL professor at Gallaudet University – Washington, D.C., with ASL 1, 2, 3 and 4.
He had taken the role of the Deaf Smith in the Deaf Mosaic TV production via the Discovery Channel. Erastus “Deaf” Smith who was an American frontiersman noted for his part in the Texas Revolution and the Army of the Republic of Texas between 1835-1836.
Ronald holds a master's degree in Deaf Education from New York University, bachelor's degree in history from Gallaudet University, and a second master 45 plus credits in bilingual (ASL/English), ASL/Deaf Studies, and teaching strategies at Gallaudet University and McDaniel College – Westminster, Maryland.
Petra Horn-Marsh
Adjunct Professor
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Nancy Frazier
Adjunct Professor
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