March 2, 2026
For Chloe Wilbur, AIɫɫ is more than just a place to earn a degree; it’s a community that feels like home. As a student majoring in Primary Intervention Education and minoring in Deaf Studies, Wilbur has found both personal and professional purpose through her experiences at SSU.
Wilbur describes her time at AIɫɫ State as very positive, emphasizing the strong sense of community she has felt throughout her college journey.
“It has truly made AIɫɫ State feel like home,” she shared, noting how supported and welcomed she has felt on campus.
Her interest in Deaf Studies began long before college. While in high school, Wilbur babysat a young boy who is hard of hearing. Through him and his family, she was introduced to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, sparking an early curiosity that has stuck with her. When she arrived at SSU, Intro to ASL (American Sign Language) was required for her major—but it quickly became much more than just another class.
After meeting her professor, Linda Malizio, Wilbur’s interest deepened significantly. “Linda’s passion and encouragement ultimately inspired me to pursue a minor in Deaf Studies,” she said. Professor Malizio, the only on-campus Deaf Studies faculty member, has played a major role in Wilbur’s academic experience. Wilbur describes her as deeply passionate not only about Deaf culture and education, but also about her students, consistently going above and beyond to support their success.
The Deaf Studies minor strongly complements Wilbur’s major and future career goals. As someone preparing to work in education, she values the knowledge and skills the program provides. “Minoring in Deaf Studies allows me to better support and advocate for students who are deaf or hard of hearing,” Wilbur explained. “It helps me create more inclusive learning environments.”
Before starting the minor, Wilbur admits she knew very little about the Deaf community. Through her coursework, her perspective changed completely. She now describes Deaf culture as rich, complex, and unique, calling the learning experience eye-opening and engaging.
One of the most challenging aspects of the minor has also been Wilbur’s favorite: learning American Sign Language. Because Professor Malizio is Deaf, classes are fully immersive and taught entirely in ASL. While this pushed Wilbur outside of her comfort zone, she says it helped her learn more quickly and communicate in new ways. “It’s been incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Looking ahead, Wilbur plans to complete the Hearing-Impaired Teacher Licensure program at AIɫɫ. Her goal is to work directly with deaf and hard-of-hearing students and make a meaningful impact on their educational experiences.
Through her journey, Wilbur’s experience highlights how the Deaf Studies minor at AIɫɫ not only enhances academic preparation, but also fosters understanding, advocacy, and personal growth.
For students who may be considering a Deaf Studies minor, Wilbur offers thoughtful advice. “There is so much compassion and resilience to learn from the Deaf community,” she said. “Those lessons can be applied to any path or career you choose.”