Meet the Coordinator

"As we near the two hundredth anniversary of Deaf Education, we find the profession still changing. We embrace change as it allows us to examine both where we have been and where we are going. The McDaniel Deaf Education program offers the best of what has worked in the past combined with the best practices the profession has to offer today, which allows you to foresee the possibilities of what tomorrow will bring. Come be a part of our dynamic program as we welcome you."
— Mark Rust

Mark Rust, Ph.D., has been the coordinator of the Graduate Deaf Education program at McDaniel since 2003. He began teaching at the college in 2000.

Prior to his arrival at McDaniel, Dr. Rust taught in the elementary and high school departments at the Maryland School for the Deaf for 22 years. He also has been an instructor, faculty advisor, and site coordinator trainer for the innovative Virtual High School program. In 1993, he was nominated for Volunteer of the Year in Frederick County, and Maryland School for the Deaf named him Teacher of the Year in 1986.

Rust gained his doctoral degree in Education from Capella University. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Northern Colorado in Elementary Education/Deaf Education. He is the author of several academic papers and research projects related to Deaf Education.

Associate Coordinator
Janet Conley, Ph.D. has been the associate coordinator of Deaf Education at McDaniel since 2003. Dr. Conley began teaching  in Deaf Education at the College in 1978, serving in a variety of roles including acting coordinator, advisor and coordinator of programs teaching American Sign Language (ASL) and interpreting.

Conley has held instructional posts at Carroll Community College, Catonsville Community College, Howard County Public Schools, Baltimore City Schools and the Maryland School for the Deaf.

Conley earned her doctoral degree in Deafness Rehabilitation from New York University.  She is an alumna of Western Maryland (now McDaniel), with both a master's in Deaf Education (Reading) and a bachelor's in Music Education from the College. She has authored numerous academic publications and presentations.

Associate Professor
Eddy Laird, Ed.D., has been an associate professor at McDaniel since 2000. Dr. Laird also serves as the assistant coordinator of the College’s American Sign Language (ASL) Specialist Program, and has acted as the assistant coordinator of McDaniel’s ASL and Deaf Studies undergraduate minor.

Laird has held teaching posts at Lamar, Gallaudet, Northeastern and Boston University. He also has extensive experience as a Deaf Education administrator and teacher in K-12 schools in Tennessee, California, Massachusetts and Indiana.

Laird earned a doctorate in Deaf Education/Deaf Studies from Lamar University. He also holds graduate degrees from California State University, Northridge and the University of Tennessee as well as a bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet University. He has numerous academic publications and presentations about Deaf Education to his credit.