Rate My Professor Royce Carpenter

Dr. Royce Carpenter is the Program Coordinator and NIC Master Associate Professor in the Interpreting Department at Columbus State Community College, where she teaches in the Interpreter Education Program with a focus relevant to linguistics through American Sign Language studies. She earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, a Master of Arts in Interpreting Studies from Western Oregon University, a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Wilberforce University, and an Associate’s degree in Interpreting/Transliterating from Columbus State Community College. A first-generation college graduate and NIC Master certified interpreter, Carpenter has served the institution since 2000, interpreting in various settings including VRS, conferences, and workshops while mentoring students and professionals.

Carpenter’s academic interests center on diversity, equity, inclusion, and cross-cultural mentoring in interpreter education. Her 2017 Master’s thesis, “Let’s Bridge the Gap! Cross-Cultural Mentoring,” presents a qualitative study via focus groups with Black and White signed language interpreters, highlighting curriculum gaps in Black Deaf and hearing cultures, retention challenges, and the need for cross-cultural relationships to improve services and professional persistence. She authored “Diversity in Higher Education: Starting the Discussion” in 2020, advocating for diverse narratives in training programs, and co-authored “Honoring Diversity” in the Fall 2020 VIEWS issue, serving on its Board of Editors. In 2017, she taught in Ghana at the University of Education, Winneba. Recognized with the 2022 ACE Women’s Network Ohio Excellence in Higher Education Leadership Award for facilitating DEI discussions on culturally responsive teaching and equity, she co-presented at the 2025 National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education on legislative conflicts in academia and testified before the Ohio House Workforce and Higher Education Committee in March 2025.