Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Amy Deneen, Jill Rohman, and Dr. Susan Rose and the reappointment of Elise Knopf to the Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People.

Deneen, of Goodhue, is an occupational therapist with Fairview Medical Center in Red Wing and works with Minnesota Hands and Voices as a parent mentor for families with deaf and hard of hearing children. She has an associate of arts degree in occupational therapy from Inver Hills Community College and a bachelor of arts degree in occupational therapy from the College of St. Catherine. Deneen is appointed as the southeast advisory committee member to fulfill a three year term that expires January 5, 2009. She replaces Timothy Jaech on the commission.

Rose, of St. Paul, is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Minnesota. In addition to over 40 years of teaching experience, Rose is a published author of a number books and articles in the areas of reading practices, language development, family centered programming for children with hearing loss, and teacher preparation for educators who serve children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Rose has a Ph.D. from Ohio State University in Columbus, a master of science degree in the education of the deaf and mental retardation from the University of Kansas, and a bachelor of science degree in speech pathology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Rose is appointed as an at-large member to a three year term that expires January 4, 2010. She replaces Cuong Nguyen on the commission.

The Minnesota Commission Serving Deaf and Hard of Hearing People serves as the principal state agency advocating on behalf of deaf, deaf-blind, and hard-of-hearing Minnesotans and working to ensure they have equal access to the services, programs, and opportunities available to others. The commission is made up of 15 members appointed by the Governor.