Laurie Achin

Laurie Achin is an American educator, deaf community advocate, and specialist in American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. She currently serves as a Senior Lecturer and the ASL Program Coordinator in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education at the University of Georgia (UGA), where she has been teaching since 2019. In this role, Achin instructs a range of ASL courses, mentors students, and leads experiential learning initiatives, including UGA’s ASL Immersive Experience Program, aimed at fostering language proficiency and cultural competence.

Achin has over 15 years of experience in deaf education and ASL instruction. She holds a Master of Arts in Deaf Education/Teaching of Individuals Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and a Bachelor’s degree in Drama Education, both from Gallaudet University — the premier university for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Outside academia, Achin works professionally as an ASL consultant, co-producer, and actor. She has contributed ASL consulting to television projects including The Walking Dead (Seasons 10–11) and participates in film work that serves both deaf and hearing audiences. Additionally, she has served as a Deaf Mentor with Georgia PINES, supporting families with deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

Laurie has been recognized with several honors, including the Faculty Senate D. Keith Osborn Award for Teaching Excellence and the UGA Career Center’s Student Career Success Influencer Award.