Jennifer Garcia was in a local gym when she found out she was accepted to Clemson University. She was looking to restart her life and establish healthy patterns, picking up the pieces for both herself and her two young kids after enduring a family transition. Which is what led her to apply to Clemson.
“All I could think of in the back of my head was my kids,” Garcia said. “I felt like I needed to go to school to have something that was mine that no one could take away from me.”
Being from the Upstate, Garcia was no stranger to Clemson. “Every time we would drive up to the Anderson Mall, we would drive through Clemson,” she explained. “It’s one of those things where it always felt like home.” As she progressed through her Clemson Experience, home would quickly come to be more than a place.
The Path to American Sign Language (ASL)
Garcia explored a few degree options before landing on Modern Languages with a focus in American Sign Language, thanks to a thought-provoking question from her advisor: Is there something you enjoyed doing as a kid, or any vivid memories you have from childhood?
Garcia thought of an interaction from elementary school.
“There was a girl in my fourth-grade class that was deaf, and I didn’t realize that at the time. I’ve always been open to making friends, so I went up to her and said ‘hi,’ waving at her.”
Garcia’s classmate began to cry. Her interpreter explained to Garcia that the girl had just gotten a cochlear implant and was getting used to the sounds she was hearing. Garcia asked the interpreter how her classmate communicated, and learned she used sign language.
“I went home that day, and there was a calendar we had that had finger spelling in American Sign Language, and I learned it that night. The next week I went up to her and signed in finger spelling ‘hello, my name is Jennifer.’ She started crying again. The interpreter explained that she was crying because she was happy. Remembering that interaction made me realize that I wanted to study ASL.”
Family-Fueled Advocacy
Excited to begin her ASL journey, and with a background in the Spanish language as well, Garcia assumed she would pursue a job in translation after graduation. However, as she noticed her youngest son was struggling with communication, her experiences advocating for him shifted her career goals.
“We were suspecting autism,” Garcia explained. “I took him to his first early intervention class and I saw how he communicated well using ASL. That’s when I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do.’ I saw how quickly his receptive skills and eye contact got better just by using ASL.”
Garcia will begin a teaching position at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind following her graduation in December. She hopes to keep exploring the intersection of ASL and disability through research and community engagement.
“As a mom, I want to be able to make that impact in someone’s life. I feel like, as parents, there’s not always a lot of community support with an autism diagnosis, other than a list of all the things we need to do. I want to be able to be that community person.”
Clemson Community
Being a single mom and full-time student was no easy task.
“There were days where I felt motivated that I’m going to school and that my kids were going to thank me and I was going to thank myself,” Garcia said. “But there were days where I felt like I missed out on a lot of milestones or missed out on my kids.”
In the midst of the challenges, Garcia recalled the support she felt from her Clemson community.
“A lot of the people that I went to class with, and even my professors, told me if there’s something that I’m dealing with with the kids to bring them to class. That is something that has made me feel so loved and welcomed and cherished.”
Garcia also praised Clemson’s on-campus health and wellness resources for their support in tough times. “Always ask for help,” she exhorted. “Don’t feel like you’re going to be made fun of.”
A Changed Life
As she reflects on her time at Clemson, Garcia notes that she’s not the same person she was when she came.
“I don’t limit myself like I used to,” she said. “School has helped me articulate clearer. It’s helped me challenge myself when I see that I can do something better. I don’t put myself in comfortable positions anymore. I try to get out of my shell because of going to school here.”
Garcia has a simple plea for prospective students—one that encapsulates her journey of self-discovery and strength: “Please come to Clemson. It will change your life.”
Learn Sign Language with Jennifer Garcia
In honor of graduation, learn some signs with Jennifer Garcia!
