Allen Sheffield

Allen Sheffield, born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, came to Gallaudet because he knew it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. He knew that the Gallaudet’s graduate Counseling program would allow him total access and an opportunity to improve his knowledge, skills and understanding of the Deaf community.

Allen graduated in 2008 and now works at Oklahoma State University in Student Disabilities Services as a Disability Specialist. He works with a variety of students with disabilities as well as Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. When asked how Gallaudet helped to prepare him for his career he stated, “The Counseling department faculty were instrumental in developing me as a professional in the field. They challenged the students daily to bring about personal growth and development, and constantly sought new and creative ways to improve our understanding of ourselves, the field, and the world.”

His advice to future graduate students, “Be open, be flexible, and be patient. It is good to have an idea of what you want to do in the future, it is even better to realize that every experience, every trial, and every challenge, no matter how difficult and trying, will better prepare you for that future.”