Antwan Campbell Educational Interpreter Fund

The Antwan Campbell Educational Interpreter Fund supports educational interpreters, currently by offering a stipend of $150 to offset some of the costs of taking the performance portion of the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment. This fund is primarily supported by generous donations from our members, the public, and by the NCRID Board and its regions. Up to 7 stipends of $150 may be issued per membership year, following an application to the Fund and the submission of an EIPA score of 3.5 or greater.

Background

M. Antwan Campbell is a leader in the NC interpreting community, with a clear passion and focus on supporting interpreters in education and the services they provide to the Deaf community.

Mr. Campbell holds a BA in ASL from Gardner-Webb University and an MA in Public Administration from UNC Pembroke. While growing up with a Deaf brother, Mr. Campbell started his formal interpreting career in education, and during his more than 10 years' work in that setting he experienced first-hand the struggles of interpreters in the educational system. In 2013, Mr. Campbell was elected to the role of President of the NC Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, becoming the first person of color to hold that position in NCRID's history. In 2022, Mr. Campbell was elected to the position of Region II Representative on the Board of the national Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, serving his home state of NC as well as the 8 other states in Region II. Mr. Campbell also currently works as the Educational Consultant for Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Interpreter Support with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. In all of these roles and throughout Mr. Campbell’s career, he has championed educational interpreters, whether by spotlighting issues affecting educational interpreters in NCRID Board activities, presenting many workshops focused on skill-development in educational contexts, mentoring new and beginning interpreters across the state, or working to establish formal systems to elevate educational interpreters' skills and help them develop as professionals.

Reflecting on Antwan's many years of service supporting the interpreting community in North Carolina and beyond, and especially his support of educational interpreters, in 2022 the NCRID Board was thrilled to establish the Antwan Campbell Educational Interpreter Fund to honor his contributions and further support educational interpreters. We acknowledge that educational interpreters often face many unique barriers, including lower salaries, lack of formal support systems, and professional isolation. These compound the financial hurdles all new interpreters face, including professional development costs, testing fees, and other professional expenses. While often there is a division between educational interpreters and community interpreters, the NCRID Board wants to affirm that the work of educational interpreters is just as crucial, as impactful, and as skilled as any other interpreting work, and that we seek to support and include our colleagues in education.

Criteria

To be eligible to receive a stipend from the Antwan Campbell Fund, applicants must:

  • Reside in North Carolina

  • Be a member of NCRID for 12 consecutive months prior to applying

  • Submit a score of 3.5 or greater on the EIPA performance assessment

Additionally, individuals are eligible to receive one stipend from the Antwan Campbell Fund per NCRID membership year. Additional stipends after an initial one require a higher score than the most recent score for which a stipend was issued.

This fund aims to support interpreters seeking to work in education, and we ask that only those folks apply. Stipends are available to folks working or seeking work in educational settings, whether staff or contract, full or part time.

Process

The process for application and the awarding of stipends is as follows:

  • Applicant receives EIPA performance assessment results

  • Applicant submits application to Antwan Campbell Fund within 45 days of receiving your exam results (below)

    • Applicant will receive an automated reply that NCRID has received your submission

  • NCRID will review application and render a decision within around 30 days

  • NCRID will inform applicant of decision, and issue stipend payment

The Antwan Campbell Educational Interpreter Fund is primarily funded by donations from folks like you! Please consider supporting educational interpreters in NC–and the students they serve–with a donation to support this fund.