About the Host

Dr. Judi Oliver began her career as a Speech Pathologist-Audiologist. She obtained a master's degree in Deaf Education from GA State University in Atlanta and attended Gallaudet University in Washington, DC for a summer ASL immersion experience. After teaching in the public schools for many years, Judi earned her PhD in Linguistics, specifically as it relates to sign languages, at the Univerity of Georgia. Judi started the American Sign language Program within the department of Communication Sciences at the University of Georgia. While teaching at UGA she advocated not only for ASL to be taught and accepted for foreign language credit but also for the hiring of Deaf instructors. Dr. Oliver's vision at UGA was the genesis of what has now developed into a thriving ASL course of study at UGA including a minor that offers 16 courses led by Deaf instructors. Judi has also taught at GA State University in Atlanta, GA, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN and has presented numerous talks, workshops, and courses in other schools and communities across the Southeast.

She and her husband have raised  5 children: 3 hearing and 2 Deaf. They have 9 grandchildren. In her spare time, she collects art, enjoys writing, spending time enjoying friends and family, and playing with her grandchildren.