The Power of a Gesture

SPC alumna-turned professor Arlenne Negron is helping students communicate, connect and celebrate Deaf culture

When American Sign Language (ASL) Professor Arlenne Negron first chose to attend St. Petersburg College as a student, she was looking for more than just an education. She wanted a community that valued acceptance and accessibility. She found exactly that at SPC. From the moment Negron arrived on campus, she felt a sense of belonging and knew she had made the right choice.

Jose Heinert works with Carolyn Otero Torres

Negron was especially drawn to the College after learning that it had a strong Deaf program and a reputation for offering a welcoming environment. As a deaf student, she experienced firsthand the difference a truly supportive learning environment can make. Her teachers never treated her as “less capable” because of her deafness, a mindset that transformed how she viewed herself as a learner.

“Their belief in my abilities motivated me to push harder, take on challenges and never lower my own expectations,” Negron said. “It gave me the confidence to advocate for myself and to see my deaf identity as a strength rather than a barrier.”

Returning home to teach

After graduating from SPC in 2004 with her Associate in Arts degree, Negron transferred to the University of Florida to continue her education. She eventually began building a career that focused on Deaf culture, sign language and accessibility. She worked in a variety of settings dedicated to bridging the communication gap between deaf and hearing communities. Her passion for advocacy guided her professional journey, but her heart never strayed far from her alma mater, the place that had shaped her purpose.

“When the opportunity to teach ASL opened up at SPC, it felt like coming home,” Negron said. “It was the perfect way to give back to the community that once supported me.”

Since joining SPC as a faculty member in 2019, Negron has become an integral part of the College’s ASL program. She takes great pride in watching her students discover the beauty and expressiveness of sign language.

“It’s such a joy to see their eyes light up when they realize they’re truly communicating with their hands, faces and expressions,” she said. “I also love teaching them how to become advocates for the Deaf community — helping them understand not only the language but the culture and responsibility that come with it.”

Beyond teaching, Negron serves as the advisor for the SPC student ASL club, empowering student-leaders to plan events that celebrate Deaf culture and community. She finds it rewarding to watch her students make their own decisions, build strong bonds with each other and grow as leaders in the community.

Looking back, Negron credits the College with instilling the perseverance, empathy and confidence that continue to guide her today. She wants to encourage that same confidence in her own students, reminding them that they are stronger than they think, but it’s always okay to ask for help, too.

Building connection

SPC has a lot of amazing qualities, but Negron believes that what makes the College truly unique are its heart and how it creates a welcoming space for everyone.

Looking ahead, she hopes to someday lead a deaf awareness initiative at SPC to further that feeling of belonging at the College. It would include ASL workshops and cultural training as well as outreach events that bring deaf and hearing students and employees together. She wants people to understand that the Deaf community is vibrant, expressive and proud.

“Inclusion is about more than access. It’s about understanding and connection,” Negron said. “When people take the time to learn ASL or show patience and openness, it means the world. I hope more people take the time to connect, because when we truly communicate, we all grow together.”

“Because my teachers believed in me, I wanted to be that same kind of support for my students,” Negron said. “I try to challenge them while also standing beside them, just like my teachers did for me.”