Helen Keller Fellows FAQ

What is the purpose of the program?

To improve the quality and quantity of personnel who are credentialed to meet the needs of children with deaf-blindness.

How will this be achieved?

Ten Helen Keller Fellows will be selected each year from a pool of candidates at each of the partner institutions. The Fellows will complete both their respective university’s graduate programs as well as participate in numerous extra-curricular activities provided by the Fellows project.

What will the Fellows receive?

Each Fellow will receive a $10,000 stipend for one year to assist with their graduate education. Additionally, the project will cover all travel costs associated with required attendance at one national conference, a Systems Leadership Seminar, and the two-week, intensive internship with a state deaf-blind technical assistance project.

What are the obligations of the Fellows?

Fellows must agree to the following: (1) attendance at the HK Fellows Orientation session; (2) participation in five online enrichment webinars/courses per year; (3) attendance at the National Consortium for Deaf-Blindness Topical conference; (4) attendance at the three-day leadership and systems thinking seminar immediately preceding the Topical Conference; and (5) complete a two-week internship with their home state’s deaf-blind technical assistance project.

Will the Fellows have to repay the stipend?

Fellows will not have to repay the stipend as long as they teach or work on a fulltime basis for a minimum of two years in an approved, special education program within 12 months of receiving their graduate degree.

What are the application requirements?

Applicants will need to complete the Helen Keller Fellows application, provide a curriculum vita or resume outlining their education and teaching experience, indicate why they wish to be a Helen Keller Fellow, include two letters of support from those familiar with the applicant’s teaching and/or academic performance, and be nominated by one of our partner institutions.

Who are the Helen Keller Fellow Consortium partners?

Boston College, Dr. Susan Bruce ( brucesu@bc.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
East Carolina University, Dr. Alana Zambone ( zambonea@ecu.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Hunter College at the City University of New York, Dr. Rosanne Silberman ( rsilberm@hunter.cuny.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
San Francisco State University, Dr. Pam Hunt, ( hunt@sfsu.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Texas Tech University, Dr. Roseanna Davidson, ( Roseanna.davidson@ttu.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
University of Alabama – Birmingham, Dr. Mary Jean Sanspree, ( Sanspree@uab.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
University of Arizona, Dr. Stephanie MacFarland, ( szm@u.arizona.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. Linda McDowell, ( linda.mcdowell@usm.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
University of Utah, Dr. Cathy Nelson, ( cathy.nelson@utah.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Utah State University, Linda Alsop, ( Linda.alsop@usu.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

For further information about the Helen Keller Fellows project, contact:

Western Oregon University, Dr. Christina Reagle, reaglec@wou.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (503-838-8871) http://www.helenkellerfellows.org.