Paul Salinas – Professional & Academic Biography

Student | Advocate | Emerging Leader

I am a profoundly Deaf scholar and community advocate, fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and Mexican Sign Language (LSM). Though I may appear Black, my heritage is richly multicultural — Afro-Cuban, Dominican, Creek Indian, and French American — shaping my identity, perspective, and commitment to inclusive communication.

I lived in Mexico from 2008 to 2017, first in Tijuana and later in Mexicali, where I became a certified LSM interpreter, bridging communication between Deaf and hearing communities. In 2010, I was elected President of Federación Sordo México Nacional (FSMN), leading initiatives that empowered others, advanced accessibility, and strengthened community bonds. From 2017 to 2023, I served in the Los Angeles office of FSMN, continuing my work to support the Deaf community and promote accessibility.

I studied Organizational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University before transferring to the University of Phoenix, where I am currently completing a BS in Public Administration, with electives in Criminal Justice and Law. My goal is to continue at the graduate level — pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration, an LLM, and potentially a DBA or JD — to further my impact in research, public policy, and transformative leadership across diverse communities.

I am proud to be part of a distinguished Black brotherhood, a private fraternity that cultivates respect, loyalty, and authentic connections, where I contribute to initiatives that elevate community and inspire growth.

Outside academia, I cherish my multicultural family. In 2022, I married my husband of Indigenous Mexican heritage in Cancun, Mexico, enriching my life with deeper intercultural understanding.

I am passionate about equity, accessibility, and transformative leadership, striving to make a meaningful impact wherever I go.