Alverno is an inclusive, vibrant community of students, faculty and staff who support and uplift each other. So when alum Dr. Mary Ann Schwartz ’62 learned about the opportunity to support communication access services for Katy Hagmeyer — a student who is deaf and relies on American Sign Language (ASL) — Schwartz didn’t think twice.
“I visited Katy’s website and was impressed with her accomplishments building Deaf Inspire LLC to provide mental health services and leadership empowerment for the Wisconsin Deaf community. I believe that with additional education Katy will accomplish even more for that community, thus benefiting us all,” Schwartz says.
Hagmeyer enrolled in Alverno’s educational specialist in school psychology program in 2023. She received funding to cover her tuition, provided through a U.S. Department of Education grant Alverno received to train personnel from diverse backgrounds to serve children with disabilities. Because she relies on ASL to communicate, Hagmeyer also needed access to a team of highly skilled ASL interpreters who were trained in the language of graduate-level disciplines. Having communication access services in place for Deaf students creates equitable access and helps students achieve their educational goals. For Hagmeyer, the interpreter’s presence allows her to actively participate in group discussions with peers, communicate with faculty and foster relationships that are fundamental to an abilities-based education.
“Upon reviewing Alverno’s school psychology program, I realized it was an ideal fit, considering the significant need for ASL-fluent school-based providers and my passion for working with Deaf children,” Hagmeyer says. “The program’s emphasis on multicultural and multilingual approaches has exposed me to a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. I have not only gained a deeper understanding of my own culture and language but also learned from my amazing cohort classmates, who come from diverse backgrounds.”
Hagmeyer says her experience at Alverno is much different than other universities she previously attended. “At the public state university, I encountered certain limitations within the system. These included a limited pool of interpreters to choose from and the ongoing need to advocate for accommodations. My experience at Alverno has been the opposite. Instead of being told ‘this is what you get,’ Alverno asked, ‘what do we need to do to make your educational experience a great one?’ Having a team of skilled interpreters has given me the confidence and ability to focus on my education bilingually without worrying about the quality of the interpreters and compromising both language inputs.”
As a licensed social worker currently working in private practice, Hagmeyer is one of a few Deaf mental health providers in Wisconsin. “I have observed the significant impact that the education system, particularly language deprivation, has on Deaf children and their outcomes in adulthood,” Hagmeyer says.
Hagmeyer is passionate and believes that every Deaf child should have the opportunity to reach their full academic potential and that a key component of a Deaf child’s education team should be a Deaf person with academic and professional training, as well as lived experience.
“It is my hope that I can be that key person for many Deaf children in the future, unlocking their academic potential,” Hagmeyer adds.
For Schwartz and other donors, giving back to Alverno — whether it’s supporting a single student’s needs, scholarships or other academic and instructional resources — is important.
“Alverno provided me with an excellent education as well as lifelong friends, both of which contributed to a satisfying professional and personal life,” Schwartz says. “I want future generations of women to experience a similar sense of empowerment, level of leadership skills and friendships that I developed at Alverno.”
In addition, Schwartz encourages others to continue to support Alverno. “If you believe Alverno made a difference in your life, then pay it forward. We are living in a chaotic world where problems seem so overwhelming. Our support for Alverno will produce new leaders who will make an impact in their communities and in the world at large. Remember, ‘It takes a village.’ Be a generous part of that village.”
