Isabel Asensio

I’m sincerely grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a position on ATA’s Board of Directors. It would be an honor to serve ATA members in this capacity.

I have a PhD in comparative literature from Vanderbilt University and an MA in audiovisual translation (localization, subtitling, and dubbing) from the University of Cádiz, Spain. As a freelance translator and interpreter and a university professor with over 20 years of experience, I’ve been deeply involved in promoting language studies and the language services industry. Notably, I served on the Utah Foreign Language Association Board of Directors for over a decade, including two years as president. Additionally, for the past six years I’ve organized the annual Translation Week at Weber State University, featuring a week-long series of activities, webinars, and roundtables to raise awareness and promote the dynamic fields of translation, interpreting, and localization.

In recent years, I’ve volunteered for ATA in several roles. As a member of the Audiovisual Division, I serve as the LinkedIn coordinator, helping the division connect with other translators and interpreters and share the latest news. Within the Educators Division, I serve as assistant administrator (2022-2024), collaborating with colleagues to provide support and resources to members. Through these roles, I’ve learned from working with exceptional colleagues and leveraged my background as an experienced university professor to contribute to discussions and initiatives. I’m eager to bring this perspective to ATA’s Board of Directors.

I believe the current Board is doing an excellent job, and, if elected, I aim to contribute to the following areas:

Training and Professional Development Opportunities: Expanding meaningful opportunities for training and professional development will enhance the value of ATA membership and attract new members.

Exposure and Visibility: Raising the profile of our members and Association will bring greater recognition to the fields of translation and interpreting, especially in our rapidly changing world.

Student Outreach: Engaging with high schools, colleges, and universities will attract younger generations to our profession and Association. As a language and translation faculty member, I understand the importance of educating students about the translation and interpreting professions and the skills needed to succeed. This will encourage more individuals to pursue studies in translation and interpreting, securing the future of our profession.

Collaboration and Communication: Fostering collaboration and communication among divisions, their administrators, and assistant administrators will address common concerns effectively.

Leadership Opportunities: Expanding opportunities for members to serve in ATA leadership roles will allow for more diverse perspectives and experiences.

I’m grateful for your consideration and hope to serve as a director, contributing to the continued success and growth of ATA.