The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is excited to welcome Chanel Gleicher, our new Director of Youth Programs! Chanel will oversee all four NAD youth programs: College Bowl, Jr. NAD, Youth Ambassador Program, and Youth Leadership Camp.
Chanel, a Maryland native, is passionate about youth leadership. Chanel received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with minors in Writing and Graphic Design from Gallaudet University and holds a Masters’ degree in Project Management and concentration in Leadership from Northeastern University. Chanel has participated in several of NAD youth programs personally and professionally. She won the last title of Miss Deaf America at the 2012 NAD Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Through the experience, she found her love for volunteering and completed over 200 hours of volunteering for various organizations. She has participated in the NAD Youth Leadership Camp both as a student and as staff. She has also served as a Board Member for the Maryland Association of the Deaf (MDAD) and as a delegate for the US-Indonesia Youth Leadership Program. In her leisure time, Chanel and her fiancé, Ryan, enjoy exercising, travelling, and rooting for the Ravens. They also enjoy spending time with their husky pup, Coco. Chanel looks forward to work with NAD Youth Programs and our deaf youth leaders!
“We are delighted to have Chanel Gleicher join the NAD team as our Director of Youth Programs, and we know she will bring a new perspective and energy to all of the youth programs,” said Howard A. Rosenblum, NAD CEO. “We look forward to her leadership in channeling the talents and promise of all deaf and hard of hearing youth across the country.”
“I am beyond thrilled to share my knowledge and passion in working with our deaf and hard of hearing youth by empowering and strengthening their leadership and advocacy skills,” Chanel commented.
Chanel is with the delegates at the Jr. NAD National Conference in Ashland, Nebraska this week. After the Jr. NAD Conference, Chanel will meet with individual committees for College Bowl and Youth Ambassador Program to continue planning for the next Biennial NAD Conference in Hartford, Connecticut. Additionally, she will also jump in and get started on preparations for the next Youth Leadership Camp this summer. Her sleeves are rolled up and she’s ready!
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The NAD Youth Leadership Programs prepare young deaf and hard of hearing Americans to become future leaders and advocates by increasing their self-determination, sense of community, and thirst for knowledge. These programs include the Jr. National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD) chapter network and biennial conferences, the annual NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC), the biennial Youth Ambassador Program (YAP), and the biennial College Bowl (CoBo) competition.