Jane Fernandes

Jane Kelleher Fernandes (born August 21, 1956 in Worcester, Massachusetts) is a deaf educator and was the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of North Carolina Asheville. On April 15, 2014, Fernandes was named the 9th President of Guilford College. She succeeded Kent Chabotar on July 1, 2014, becoming the first woman to hold this position. On August 26, 2015, Fernandes was formally inaugurated as the first female and the ninth president of Guilford College. Fernandes was the former President Designate of Gallaudet University. On October 29, 2006, the board of trustees of Gallaudet University voted to terminate the appointment of Fernandes, who had been the subject of protests following her appointment as President Designate six months earlier.

Early life

Fernandes was raised in Worcester and is the daughter of Richard Paul and Mary Kathleen (Cosgrove) Kelleher. Her family chose to raise her in an oral education program, meaning her education focused on teaching her to speak. Her mother was deaf and was raised orally, as well. When Fernandes grew older she made the decision to learn American Sign Language (ASL) and develop her involvement with the deaf community.