06/17/2026
It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Susan E. Brown, a respected educator, researcher, mentor, advocate, and leader whose contributions helped shape the field of educational interpreting for more than twenty-five years.
Susan dedicated her career to advancing educational interpreting and challenged our profession to recognize it as a specialized practice requiring dedicated preparation, professional standards, and ongoing accountability in service to Deaf students.
Throughout her involvement with RID, she served in numerous leadership roles, including the EIPA Review Task Force, Educational Interpreting Committee, and the Educational Interpreter Task Force. She was a persistent advocate for the creation and recognition of the Ed:K-12 certification and was among the first educational interpreters to earn the credential.
Her efforts helped elevate national conversations regarding educational interpreter qualifications and professional standards. Recognizing the need for a dedicated professional home focused on the unique roles and responsibilities of educational interpreters, Susan became a founding leader of the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE) and served as its first President from 2016-2019.
Her legacy will remain a lasting part of educational interpreting and the broader interpreting profession. Our thoughts are with Susan's family, friends, colleagues, students, and all those whose lives were touched by her dedication, generosity, and unwavering commitment to interpreter excellence.
