Media Contact
Amanda Head
Manager, Marketing and Public Relations
College of Arts & Sciences
[email protected]
ATLANTA — Since childhood, Georgia State University anthropology student Margarita Pinto (B.A. ’24) has had a fervent interest in other cultures and languages. Raised in both Atlanta and Miami, her upbringing in a multiethnic household influenced her pursuits in fostering connections among individuals with diverse backgrounds.
“I came into college wanting to learn more languages and about other cultures aside from my own,” Pinto said.
Although she had an interest in languages, it was by coincidence that Pinto was able to integrate it into her current field of study.
“I tested out of Spanish and chose to take American Sign Language (ASL) as an elective by chance. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up taking all the levels of the course,” she said. “Eventually, I decided to minor in Deaf Studies.”
Pinto’s decision to take ASL as an elective sparked a passion for advocating for the Deaf community. She promotes allyship with the hearing community and raises awareness by dispelling misconceptions and sharing the experiences of those around her.
“I advocate for the Deaf community by being an ally in and out of the classroom,” Pinto said. “My studies have encouraged me to correct others’ misconceptions of Deaf people when appropriate. I try to encourage hearing people to utilize available tools, such as using a notes app or pen and paper, to engage with Deaf people, and I share the experiences of my Deaf friends with my hearing friends.”
During her undergraduate journey, her academic focus has been centered on studying how Deaf individuals operate in a hearing society and how they navigate societal barriers.
This fall, Pinto will be the first student to graduate from Georgia State University with a minor in Deaf Studies, which made its program debut during the fall 2023 semester.
While Pinto admits obtaining her undergraduate degree did not follow a linear path, she believes her academic journey has nonetheless prepared her for further education and advanced degrees. Her aspirations to reconcile her interest in learning languages and connecting with others extend past her upcoming graduation.
In December 2024, Pinto plans to start a certificate program to teach English as a foreign language. She plans to teach in Spain over the summer before returning to Georgia State in fall 2025 to begin a graduate degree program in World Languages and Applied Intercultural Studies.
As a non-traditional and first-generation college student, Pinto is determined to pass the knowledge she has gained on to others and make a positive impact on how individuals around her communicate with one another.
“I want to develop enough linguistic skill, both in spoken languages and signing, to become a translator,” Pinto said. “I want to bridge communication between those with different language abilities.”
— Story by Jennifer Balcita
— Photo by Raven Schley