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NIC Cohort

Summer 2026 - Registration Closes 5/25/2026

The Quill Model NIC Cohort is a professional development experience designed for interpreters who are ready to take the next step toward national certification and professional excellence. Created for those pursuing the NIC through the CASLI examinations, this cohort supports interpreters in deepening their skills, refining their decision-making, and building the confidence needed to perform at a national standard. Whether you are preparing for the written or performance components of the exam, this cohort is designed to meet you where you are and guide your growth with intention, structure, and expert mentorship. Participants engage in focused learning experiences that strengthen interpreting competencies across a variety of settings, with an emphasis on clarity, accuracy, ethical practice, and adaptability.

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Led by Marissa Benoit, NIC, an experienced interpreter with a diverse background in educational and community interpreting, the cohort is grounded in real-world application and meaningful mentorship. Marissa brings a passion for supporting emerging professionals, creating a learning environment where interpreters are challenged, supported, and empowered to grow into confident, capable practitioners. Our cohort model emphasizes connection and collaboration, offering a space where interpreters can engage with peers, reflect on their work, and navigate the certification process alongside others with similar goals. Through guided practice, individualized feedback, and shared learning, participants gain both the technical skill and professional insight necessary for success.

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Our cohort model emphasizes connection and collaboration, creating a space where interpreters can grow together, share challenges, celebrate progress, and benefit from the expertise of experienced mentors. Participants will have access to curated resources, practice opportunities, and reflective discussions that promote deeper learning and practical application of skills.

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At Quill Model, we believe that national certification represents more than a credential: it reflects a commitment to excellence, accountability, and the communities we serve. The NIC Cohort is more than preparation for an exam; it is an investment in your growth as an interpreter and in the quality of access you provide.

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Join us this summer or winter and move forward in your certification journey with clarity, confidence, and a community that’s committed to your success.

Meet Your Mentor

Marissa Benoit (“ben-WAH”), NIC, EIPA 4.9

Marissa Benoit, NIC, EIPA 4.9 is a full-time educational interpreter and part time ZVRS video interpreter from South Carolina. She has recently relocated to and is currently residing in Dallas, TX with her family. She has been professionally interpreting since 2016 and has since worked in primary, secondary and post-secondary educational settings as well as in various sectors of the community in NC, SC and TX. Marissa has a heart for mentoring and is passionate about working with current and recent interpreting program graduates. She specifically enjoys providing mentees with community resources while helping them grow in their interpreting knowledge and practice, decision-making skills and confidence while watching them flourish professionally. 

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