Roberta Cordano

Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano is a values-driven leader focused on sign language equity in education, economic opportunity, innovation, and belonging as president of Gallaudet University, the only birth-PhD education entity in the world that uses American Sign Language in every aspect of its daily education and operations.

Always curious, President Cordano is guiding Gallaudet as it transforms to meet the demands of the 21st century. Being deaf is part of human diversity and President Cordano is a fierce advocate for deaf people being embraced in all facets of society. Showcasing the value, contributions, and innate innovation of deaf people, as well as the power of sign language, is at the heart of President Cordano’s leadership.

Knowing that true transformation can only happen if a multitude of perspectives and experiences are welcomed, President Cordano is vigilant in infusing equity, diversity, and inclusion into all aspects of Gallaudet. She is focused on creating a welcoming and engaging experience for all students, and strengthening efforts to ensure they are active citizens at Gallaudet and in the community, nation, and world.

With wide-ranging, extensive experience from her roles as a Minnesota assistant attorney general, vice president of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, educational administrator at the University of Minnesota, and a founder of two charter schools, President Cordano knows the critical importance of education and access to opportunities and systems, particularly for marginalized communities. She is honored to be the first deaf woman and openly LGBTQ president and excited for the continued transformation and impact Gallaudet will have on deaf lives throughout the nation and across the globe.

Education

• Juris Doctorate, University of Wisconsin, Madison
• Bachelor of Arts, Beloit College
• Honorary Doctorate, Beloit College

Publications

• ABC News Live, March 2023 “Roberta Cordano breaks barriers as leader of prestigious deaf university”
• USA TODAY, March 2023 “Roberta “Bobbi” Cordano is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country.”
• Forbes, December 2022 “Gallaudet University President Roberta J. Cordano Talks Her Life, Deaf Innovation, And Overseeing A ‘Global Beacon’ For Millions”
• Harvard Business Review, October 2022 “Is Your Organization Inclusive of Deaf Employees?”
• Thrive Global, September 2022 “How Sign Language is Driving a Multi-Billion Dollar Inclusive Economy”
• Brookings Institution, September 2022 “Why does inclusion often neglect the needs of deaf students?”
• Thrive Global, March 2022 “Oscars, “CODA” Show The Undeniable Power of Deaf Talent, Deaf Stories and Our Beautiful, Visual Signed Languages”
• Concordia Language Villages, July 2021 “Connecting Visually through Sign Language and Dreams for a Post-Covid World”
• Authority Magazine, January 2021 “Why We Should Teach Everyone Sign Language From Birth”
• Harvard Business Review, August 2020 “What Deaf People Can Teach Others About Virtual Communication”
• Journal of Higher Education Management, April 2020 “Riding the Waves of Transformational and Complex Leadership”
• President2President, March 2019 “Increase Your Leadership Impact: Curating a Culture of Belonging”
• Gallaudet University, April 2018 “A Charter and a Champion: The Meaning of Lincoln’s Legacy at Gallaudet”
• Gallaudet University, April 2016 Gallaudet’s President Cordano Dispels the Myths of Language Acquisition

Media

• The Caring Economy with Toby Usnik, November 2022 “The Caring Economy”
• PBS Otherwords, October 2022 “Why Sign Language was Banned in America”