The first deaf woman to lead a US college or university

Jane Fernandes became the first deaf woman to lead a U.S. college or university when she took the position at North Carolina's Guilford College in 2014.

But alumni of Gallaudet University will remember her, not only as their provost from 2000-2006 but as someone who was appointed as president but never took office. She was rejected by students. Having only learned sign language as an adult), she was critisized as not being "deaf enough." The board revoked the appointment on this day, Oct 29, 2006, Read more about what happened in 2006 in a Washington Post article here.

Fernandes notified Guilford College, a private Quaker school, she would be stepping down as president. You can read her notice to the school here. James Hood took over her position as Interim President of Guilford College in February.