From the classroom to the Commanders, Austin Wilson makes an impact

Austin Wilson first arrived at Gallaudet University in 2018, eager to take in everything that higher education had to offer. It wasn’t long before he made some lifelong bonds.

“I’m a people person,” Wilson says. He lived in three different states growing up, and learned how to make fast friends. The skill has served him well over the years.

Wilson is now pursuing his B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. He’s also an intern for the Washington Commanders, a Bison Ambassador, and a start-up founder who has connections around the world.

Real world experience

Wilson’s initial major at Gallaudet was Business Administration, but it didn’t stick the first time. Neither did History or Physical Education and Recreation.

He realized he needed more time before deciding on a path. In 2020, he left school to get some real-world experience. Jobs in retail and customer service taught him about adaptability and teamwork. He enrolled at a community college to take classes in Exercise Science.

Wilson’s time away from school taught him invaluable life skills. It also reinforced the unique strengths of Gallaudet.

“Gallaudet is a special place. When I’m on campus, it feels like I’ve entered a small town. Signing is everywhere. It’s easy to make friends and connect with your professors. You have full access to information.

“I like stimulation and interacting with people. It was hard to get that in hearing environments,” Wilson says. “And you need a degree to advance.” He returned to Gallaudet in 2024, a little bit older and a lot wiser.

Back to business

The second time around, Wilson was ready to take full advantage of the resources at Gallaudet. He dove into his business classes and realized his passion for the field.

“I love to lead,” Wilson says. “I always dreamed of owning a business. I want to be out in the world, meeting people and making deals.” He chose to concentrate in entrepreneurship. “Business owners have to have every type of skill,” he says. “I like being good at everything.”

Wilson thrived under professors like Mary Dakim, ’07 & G-’11. He relished the way that Dakim pushed her economics students to take their education seriously.

“Austin consistently demonstrates strong self-motivation and engagement in class,” Dakim says. “He exhibits initiative, creativity, and a willingness to take calculated risks.”

Wilson is also a Bison Ambassador for the Gallaudet Welcome Center. He greets visitors at the front desk and leads tours around campus. His favorite part is connecting with prospective students. As they walk around Kendall Green, he shares the history of Gallaudet and its many landmarks.

“It feels good to give back to the community by advocating for Gallaudet,” Wilson says. “I like seeing the students laugh and seeing their faces as they learn what Gallaudet is about. We have a unique history.”

Commanders internship

In order to graduate, business majors at Gallaudet must complete an internship. While Wilson was considering his options, he received an email from Beth Dorsette, G-’25, at Gallaudet’s Office for Career Success. She encouraged him to apply for an open position with the Washington Commanders.

Wilson grew up playing sports. He had dreamed of working in the NFL one day, but didn’t see a pathway for a deaf person. His second term at Gallaudet had taught him the importance of persistence.

“I believed the opportunity was placed in front of me for a reason,” Wilson says. “That gave me the confidence to move forward.”

The position had over 300 applicants. Out of 60 candidates in the first round, Wilson was one of 36 who advanced. Only 25 would be selected for the internship.

As he prepared for a final interview, he decided to lean into his Deaf identity. He developed a pitch that emphasized the skills he had built up over the years: adaptability, communication, and perseverance. Two weeks later, he became a Washington Commanders intern.

Wilson’s role is Stadium Operations and Events. He and other interns work at Northwest Stadium in Landover, MD before, during, and after Commanders home games. Wilson has gained experience on all levels of the stadium, which holds over 60,000 fans on game days. The lively environment fits Wilson well.

“My favorite part of the job is meeting new people and building connections,” he says. “Helping others while learning from experienced professionals around the stadium made every day different.

“Every home game felt electric. The energy of the crowd, the movement throughout the stadium, and the shared excitement made the atmosphere intense and motivating. Even without relying on sound, you could feel the emotion and momentum of the day, which made being part of the experience incredibly rewarding.”

Leading up to games, Wilson prepares the stadium for the intense game-day environment. He helps the Disability Office, Guest Services, Security, and other departments with various tasks.

During games, the interns rotate roles around the stadium. Some weeks, Wilson will welcome fans to the game, handing out giveaway items like towels and flags with a smile. Then, he’ll be stationed at different areas around the stadium to answer questions and guide guests to their destination.

Other times, Wilson has worked on the Club Level for season ticket holders. He remembers a day spent monitoring the entrance to the area, keeping the site secure. On the Suite Level, where businesses host groups of guests, Wilson coordinated with security and hospitality staff to assist ticket-holders. He loves the fast-paced environment and seeing smiles on the faces of guests.

Wilson interacted with guests and his coworkers through an interpreter provided by Commanders and Gallaudet on game days. He credits the Commanders and Northwest Stadium for making his internship accessible.

“It’s a great work environment,” Wilson says. “My boss believed in me from the beginning. He told me to bring my full self to the internship, including my Deaf identity. I’m grateful to both the Commanders and Gallaudet for making the experience accessible while also allowing me to grow independently.”

Wilson isn’t taking the opportunity for granted. “I’m proud to work for the Commanders and represent Gallaudet University. I’m working hard to set a good example for future Gallaudet interns and other deaf interns with the Commanders.”

The Commanders have recognized his hard work. His internship has been extended to include more Northwest Stadium events in the summer. He’ll also support Commanders training camps in late summer. Year 2 of the Commanders internship program begins in fall of 2026.

Shooting for the stars

As if Wilson isn’t busy enough, he’s also launching his own business. Astro will provide accessibility experiences to deaf and hard of hearing guests at concerts, festivals, and other events.

The concept was inspired by a fateful experience during a trip to Rome, Italy. Coldplay, a rock band offering a unique level of access at their concerts, had a series of concerts in the city and offered free tickets to deaf and hard of hearing fans. The concert included sign language interpreters and vibrating vests that allow users to feel the pulse of the music.

Wilson had always loved music, but the experience at the Coldplay concert was transformative. The vibrating vest allowed his friends to connect with music for the first time. He wished that more deaf people could have the same experience. The seeds of something greater had been planted.

Professor Hollie Fallstone, ’02 & G-’05, met Wilson when he took one of her business classes as a freshman in 2018. When he returned to Gallaudet in 2024, she encouraged him to give the Business Administration major another chance. Soon after, a deaf music concert inspired Fallstone to develop new class materials about accessibility in hospitality and event management.

Wilson connected the dots to his experience in Rome and wondered about business possibilities. He began to dive into the hospitality field. He didn’t know it at the time, but his newfound hospitality and event management expertise would give him an edge when interviewing for the Commanders.

“Austin was fascinated by this area of study and chose to further research and expand his knowledge in accessibility,” Fallstone says. “His interest in making a meaningful difference for others in the hospitality and event management field motivated him to prepare thoroughly for interviews, ultimately leading to his successful internship with the Washington Commanders.”

During his extended internship with the Commanders and Northwest Stadium, Wilson will get a firsthand view of the inner workings at major concerts. He’ll gain invaluable experience that can inform his work with Astro.

At Gallaudet, Wilson has received support from Gallaudet Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute (GIEI) mentor Warren “Wawa” Snipe, ’94.

“Wawa has been incredibly supportive,” Wilson says. “His experience and insight into the entertainment industry have strongly influenced the direction and vision of my business.”

Wilson plans to launch Astro in the DMV area in 2026. If everything goes well, he has dreams of taking things national, and maybe even global. For now, though, he’ll start small and perfect the business model.

“Astro is more than just an add-on,” he says. “It’s a reimagining of live music. Deaf and hard of hearing fans deserve the full experience, not a version of it.”

Investing in the future

Wilson credits his parents, Jason Wilson and Tania Patterson, E-’01, as the foundation of who he is today. His father played a significant role in shaping Wilson’s business mindset and approach to leadership. Patterson provided unwavering love, support, and wisdom that grounded Wilson’s values and work ethic.

“They gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities without fear and the discipline to keep moving forward when challenges arise,” Wilson says. He also credits his two brothers and sister. Family remains the root of his strength and the driving force behind his goals.

Wilson’s foundation of discipline and persistence have led him to fulfilling his dream of working for an NFL team. He is grateful to the Office for Career Success for connecting him with the Commanders internship.

“Gallaudet has so many resources, but many students don’t realize it. You have to work hard to take advantage of those resources. Invest time in yourself to make other people think you’re worth investing in.”

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Ready to shoot for the stars? Gallaudet offers in-person and online options for obtaining a BS in Business Administration.