Digital Commons Network^™

Interview With Dr. Phyllis Perrin Wilcox: The Accreditation Process, Phyllis Wilcox, Anita Nelson-Julander

International Journal of Interpreter Education

Dr. Phyllis Perrin Wilcox, professor emerita, taught the first sign language class at the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1971 when eight students were enrolled in a one-credit class. Many years and many students later, the University of New Mexico offers a Bachelor of Science in Signed Language Interpreting (SLI), and Dr. Wilcox headed the faculty as they sought accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education (CCIE; see http://ccie-accreditation.org/). In this interview, Dr. Wilcox describes the experience of preparing for review and becoming accredited, as well as the impacts accreditation, has had on the program. Her insights …