Title: ASL Coordinator and ASL Lecturer
Company: University of Georgia
Location: Bogart, Georgia, United States
Laurie J. Achin, MAEd, ASL coordinator and ASL lecturer at the University of Georgia, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education.
Ms. Achin is a seasoned educator affiliated with the University of Georgia in Athens since 2019 as an American Sign Language (ASL) lecturer in college of education. In her present position on campus, she oversees all the university’s ASL teachers, manages students’ expectations and requirements, teaches several courses, and, among other tasks, conducts weekly deaf mentoring with the state. Ms. Achin’s success in the classroom dates to 2004, when she was first hired as a graduate student at Gallaudet University as a full-time teacher of the deaf at its Model Secondary School for the Deaf. Throughout her career, her diverse experience in the classroom included teaching elementary, high school and college-level students.
Continually progressing in her field, Ms. Achin earned positions with Suffolk University in Boston as an ASL instructor, the READS Collaborative in Middleborough, Massachusetts, as an ASL specialist, and Northeastern University in Boston as a visiting lecturer. She also had the opportunity to serve as an ASL consultant on seasons 10 and 11 of “The Walking Dead” television series, where she collaborated with the production crew and directors to ensure scripts were appropriately adapted. Moreover, Ms. Achin was an ASL consultant, co-producer and actress for Don’t Matter Media, a production company that creates content for deaf and hearing communities.
A collegiate volleyball player and graduate of Gallaudet University, Ms. Achin received a Bachelor of Arts in theater education and a Master of Arts in deaf education in 2003 and 2008, respectively. In addition to her professional and educational accomplishments, she has been active in her field as a member of Georgia PINES. This organization supports and provides services to individuals with mental illness, addictive diseases, and developmental disabilities throughout southwest Georgia. Ms. Achin is also affiliated with the American Sign Language Teacher Association’s certification program.
Civically invested, Ms. Achin volunteers with the Engage Student Experience Program at the University of Georgia and donates to local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Being able to volunteer her time to support students and her local community has been an enriching experience for her.
Throughout her career, Ms. Achin has been recognized for her work with various accolades, including an Outstanding Teaching Award from Northeastern University. In 2024, she was honored to receive the Faculty Senate D. Keith Osborn Award at the Assistant Level for Teaching Excellence from the University of Georgia. This gratifying award was primarily based on student evaluations and nominations from peers within the college. Ms. Achin attributes her success to establishing a robust network and promoting awareness within her field.
Besides her work-related honors, Ms. Achin was inducted into the Gallaudet University Athlete Hall of Fame for her exceptional volleyball career. She also notably participated in the Deaf Olympics three times, competing twice in indoor volleyball and once in beach volleyball, and she earned silver and bronze medals in various competitions.
In the coming years, Ms. Achin intends to expand the University of Georgia’s programming to include an ASL and deaf education major and a deaf studies and interpreting program major. She also plans to become more involved with theater and artistic interpreting, particularly in the film industry.
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