Elvia Guillermo Aguilar

My name is Elvia Guillermo Aguilar; I moved to Washington, D.C. from Mexico in 1999 for a

better education and life. I have deaf parents and a deaf sibling. I also have two CODA siblings.

I did not have interpreting services in Mexico. My brother and I relied on our CODA siblings to

interpret for us throughout elementary and preparatory school. I am very grateful to them.

Without my siblings, I would not be here at Gallaudet University as a Latina woman career

Professional.

Before coming to the United States, I earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information

Systems from El Centro Universitario Guadalajara Lamar in Guadalajara, Mexico. Once I

arrived in the United States, I earned my Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision

from Gallaudet University.

I am the Community Alliances Manager in the Office of Belonging and Engagement (OBE). My

program provides conceptual and administrative leadership in developing, implementing, and

maintaining division-wide efforts designed to strengthen intercultural competency, cross-cultural

communication, restorative practices, and overall community belonging. I provide presentations,

workshops, and training on a variety of topics around diversity and social justice.

I am an Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Coordinator and Coach, working with

individuals, groups, schools, and organizations. My work increases intercultural competence by

guiding participants through the IDI framework, fostering inclusivity, and improving

communication across diverse environments.

In my free time, I am a curator specializing in the arts. As co-curators, we organized a Deaf

People of Color Art Exhibition and Art Sale held during the 23rd National Deaf People of Color

Conference from July 20 to 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C. Currently, I collaborated with another

curator for Visionaries of the Creative Arts to coordinate six distinct art exhibitions for the Spring

semester of 2024. These exhibitions featured artwork representing various marginalized

Communities.

I co-founded the Latino Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association of the Metropolitan DC Area, Inc.

I was the Vice-President of this organization from 2005 to 2008. I was also the President of the

National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing (now Council de Manos) from January

2013 to Jan 2015. I was Vice-President from 2008 – 2012. I was the Treasurer of Deaf Women

United from September 2017 to February 15, 2019. I was Vice-President of the Organization for

Equity of Deaf Staff of Color (OEDSOC) at Gallaudet University, from 2023 to 2017.

I was Treasurer of the District of Colombia Association of the Deaf, from 2019 to 2022.

I enjoy reading, painting, watching movies, kayaking, hiking, and biking in my spare time to

explore the beautiful DC community. I also enjoy exploring new restaurants, spending quality

time with friends, and engaging in meaningful conversations.