He also serves as the Director of the Center for the Study of Communication and the Deaf. Dr. Hoffmeister has been awarded The Distinguished Service Award by CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) International, The Frederick C. Schrieber Award by DEAF, Inc. for leadership, and The Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet Award by MSAD (Massachusetts State Association of the Deaf) for recognition of commitment to the Deaf Community. Ben Bahan is a Professor in the Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. He is also Executive Editor of Deaf Studies Digital Journal. Dr. Bahan has been awarded the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award from Galladuet University, and Stephen Michael Ryan Teacher of the Year Award from ASLTA (American Sign Language Teachers Association).