Project Level Up

Apply today to join a cohort of peers!

Application Period & Deadline

The application process opens on November 14, 2023 at 9:00am CST. The deadline to submit an application is on November 28, 2023 at 5:00pm CST.

Selection & Notification Dates

Individuals selected for the program will be notified by email on December 5, 2023. An announcement will be posted on our website once all participants have been confirmed.

Schedule for Cohort #3

The program includes two portions that run simultaneously: the educational phase and the experiential learning phase. A total of 126 hours, over 8 months, starting January 2nd, 2024 to July 31, 2024.

Logo - Project Level Up with an arrow pointing upward

Program Details

LaTanya E. Jones, MSM, NIC, MSW, MEd – PI/Project Director 

The Cohort Track will accept 35 certified interpreters every year for five years. Participants will apply and once selected will work through the online educational and induction phases as a group with expert facilitators, mentors and supervisors.

What is Project Level Up?

CATIE Center’s Project Level Up: Advancing Healthcare Interpreter Competencies will increase interpreter’s knowledge, skills, and competencies; thereby, reducing the equity gaps in healthcare communication for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals in healthcare settings.

What is the commitment?

The program is free for 35 qualified applicants who are committed to completing the program in its entirety. The program runs for 8 months starting January 2, 2024 to July 31, 2024. The time commitment is estimated to total approximately 126 hours. See complete details below.

Who is Qualified?

All interpreters from diverse backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply: including hearing, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, heritage signers, and individuals from underrepresented communities.

See the FAQ below for a complete list of qualifications.

St. Catherine University’s CATIE Center Project Level Up is funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Award #H160D210004.

The project contents; however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • FAQ: What is Project Level Up?

    Project Level Up is a self-directed track that is open to anyone who wants to take their abilities to the next level related to interpreting in healthcare settings.

    Published On: September 4th, 2023|Categories: |

  • FAQ: What is the time commitment?

    The program runs for 8 months starting January 2, 2024 into July 31, 2024.  There are two phases of the program: An online Educational Phase that totals 96 hours. This includes 8 modules to be completed on Canvas. An Experiential Learning portion that toals 30 hours. This includes 5 hours of observation, 15 hours of mock interpreting work which includes 5 asynchronous mock interpreting scenarios which focus on body systems and healthcare interactions, and 10 hours of case consultation to be completed online with an assigned Supervisor. All work is completed on GoReact platform and other video platforms. Cohort Phase [...]

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |

  • FAQ: What does the program cost?

    The program is free for 35 qualified applicants. The program selection criteria is listed below.

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |

  • FAQ: Who can apply?

    We welcome and encourage all interpreters from diverse backgrounds to apply including hearing, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, heritage signers, and individuals from underrepresented communities.

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |

  • FAQ: What is the application criteria?

    To qualify for the Level Up program an applicant must: Live in the U.S. or U.S. territories Possess 3+ years of interpreting experience Possess a B.A. Degree or Equivalent (see next question) Possess a background and interest in interpreting in Healthcare. Have access to appropriate technology for online learning and video conferencing capabilities, e.g., Zoom, GoReact. Possess a willingness to work with consumers and colleagues from all backgrounds, including individuals from traditionally underrepresented and marginalized communities including Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), Heritage Language Signers, and interpreters from rural areas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWVByL6aW3g

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |

  • FAQ: I do not have a Bachelor’s Degree or Certification. Can I still apply?

    Yes, the equivalence criterion is as follows: If no baccalaureate degree, on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with RSA, educational equivalence may be used in place of the baccalaureate degree. Educational equivalence includes RID or state certification (with medical interpreting endorsements if applicable). OR If no RID or state certification, on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with RSA, life experience may be used in place of the RID or state certification. Life experience may include interpreter training workshops or college courses. Applicants should be able to provide proof of successful completion of educational experiences.

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: |

  • FAQ: Will program participants earn CEU’s?

    Yes, if accepted into the program. Participants who complete the cohort track in its entirety will earn 12.6 CEUs No partial CEUs will be awarded. 

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |

  • FAQ: Is the cohort track the only option for participating in Level Up?

    Nope! Project Level Up has two tracks: the cohort track and a self-directed track. Check out our self-directed page!

    Published On: December 13th, 2023|Categories: , |
LaTanya E. Jones
LaTanya E. JonesMSM, NIC, MSW, MEd, Principal Investigator/Project Director

LaTanya is a nationally certified sign language interpreter with seventeen years of experience. She has worked in many professional and video relay settings and specializes in healthcare interpreting. Currently, she is the Principal Investigator and Project Director of Project Level Up: Increasing Healthcare Interpreter Competencies at the CATIE Center of St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. LaTanya is an adjunct professor in the Interpreter Education Program at the Community College of Philadelphia and has taught at the University of Southern Maine and Camden County College. She presents nationally on topics and issues concerning the sign language interpreting profession.

In addition to interpreting, LaTanya is a pre-licensed professional who offers LGBT+ knowledgeable, trauma-focused psychotherapy, Brainspotting, and problem gambling counseling services to individuals over 18.

A staunch, lifelong advocate for education, LaTanya earned an Associate in Applied Science in American Sign Language/English interpreting from the Community College of Philadelphia, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the Fox School of Business at Temple University, and continued her studies in ASL Linguistics at Gallaudet University. She had earned a Master of Science in Management from Rosemont College and a Master of Social Work and a Master of Education in Human Sexuality from Widener University.

LaTanya enjoys giving back by volunteering her time and talents. As such, LaTanya sat on the board of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) as the Member at Large, served as the Region I Representative for RID, and served on the board of the District of Columbia’s chapter of the National Alliance of Black Interpreters (NAOBI-DC). LaTanya served as of the Pennsylvania Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PARID). In addition, she serves on the Bylaws and Professional Development committees for the Delaware Valley Association of Black Psychologists (DVABPsi), on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), and the American Association of Sexuality Counselors, Educators, and Therapists (AASECT). LaTanya holds several professional memberships in organizations focusing on interpreting, Deaf advocacy, Social Work, and mental, behavioral, and sexual health.

In her free time, LaTanya enjoys reading, cooking, learning Arabic, and spending time with family and friends.

Paula MacDonald
Paula MacDonaldM.S, NIC, QMHI, Instructional Designer/Assistant Director

Paula MacDonald, M.S, NIC, QMHI is a reflective English/ASL Interpreter practitioner specializing in; Deaf Professional/Designating Interpreting, legislative, government, conference, mental health and DeafBlind (ProTactile, Tactile and Low Vision) settings since 2009. She holds a Certificate in Deaf Studies, an A.A.S. in English/ASL Interpreting and Transliteration, B.A. in Multicultural Interpreting and a M.S. in Interpreting Pedagogy-completing her teaching practicum at Karl-Franzens University, Graz, Austria. Since 2013, she has worked as an instructional designer and online educator using a variety of learning management systems. She intentionally applies evidence-based best practices to culturally relevant pedagogical, andragogical, and heutagogical curricula design for adult and non-traditional learners.

Taryn Philippi
Taryn PhilippiMSW, LGSW, Program Specialist

Taryn works as a program specialist for the CATIE Center’s Project Level Up grant. She graduated from Gallaudet University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Taryn is a LGSW (Licensed Graduate Social Worker) and obtained her Master of Social Work degree at St. Catherine University in 2022. Taryn has 5+ years of experience working in the mental health field serving Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing. She is happy to be a part of the CATIE Center team and its mission to diversify and increase the number of qualified healthcare interpreters.

Anaya Mitra
Anaya MitraMPH, Ph.D., Evaluator

As an instructional designer for the Dive In project, Doug seeks innovative ways to support recent graduates on their journey to becoming practicing professionals. He worked on the CATIE Center team from 2017-2021 with the Graduation to Certification program and collaborated on many CATIE projects before becoming a staff member. In addition to working with the CATIE Center, he interprets in the community when he can, provides mentoring services, and serves on the executive board of the Duluth Branch of the NAACP. He received his MA in Interpreting Studies and Communication Equity in 2019 from St. Catherine University with a project focused on understanding best practices for teaching interpreters about power, privilege and oppression.

Doug lives in Duluth, MN with his partner, Holly.  His best thinking often happens while he is on a bicycle, and so is grateful for any chance to be out on the roads and trails on two wheels.

Laurie Swabey
Laurie SwabeyPh.D., Executive Director

Dr. Swabey is a Professor of Interpreting and Executive Director of the CATIE Center at St. Catherine University. Her doctorate is in linguistics from the University of Minnesota. Her current research interests include interpreting in the healthcare context and interpreting pedagogy. Dr. Swabey’s research has been published in several journals, most recently in Sign Language Studies (2017); International Journal of Research and Practice in Interpreting (2016); Journal of Interpreting (2016); International Journal of Interpreter Education (2016, 2015); Journal of Healthcare Quality (2016); and the International Journal of Translation and Interpreting (2014). Dr. Swabey is also the co-editor of two books: Advances in Interpreting Research (Benjamins, 2011) and Educating Healthcare Interpreters (Gallaudet University Press, 2012). She has served as an advisor to the National Council on Interpreting in Health Care and the Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters, as well as on the board of directors for Conference of Interpreter Trainers and American Translation and Interpreting Studies Association. Dr. Swabey’s most recent national and international conference presentations include Critical Link in Edinburgh, Scotland (2016); the 6th International Conference on Public Service Interpreting and Translating in Madrid, Spain (2017); and the International Symposium on Signed Language Interpreting Research in Washington, DC (2017).

Project: US Department of Education RSA

St. Catherine University’s CATIE Center Project Level Up is funded by the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, Award #H160D210004.

The project contents; however, do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1221e-3 and 3474).

Skills: Advocacy, Healthcare Outcomes

Type: Cohort, Program