December 2019 commencement: Communication sciences & disorders

19 Dec 2019    

Emily Grybas

Frankfort, Illinois | Communication Sciences and Disorders (Education minor)

When and how did you know communication sciences and disorders was what you wanted to study?
I went into college studying elementary education at a small liberal arts college in Chicago. After completing my first practicum, something didn’t click for me. I knew that I needed something different, and the best way for me to do that was to explore my options away from home. I fell into communication sciences and disorders quickly and perfectly after my decision to transfer schools. My mother had needed speech therapy throughout my childhood. Pursuing the profession that meant so much to her, felt right from the very start. Though education has a very special place in my heart, I found the best fit with communication sciences and disorders.

What made Nebraska the right fit for you?
Nebraska was the first (and only) school I visited on my journey to find the best school for me. I did quite a bit of research on programs, cost, and overall most rewarding experience, and UNL was the clear winner. When I first visited Barkley, Dr. Jones made time to meet with me and my parents. She set up a tour of the clinic with a current graduate student and answered all of the questions we could have. It was clear that I was cared for as a student and not just another student on the roster.

What has been the most memorable thing you've done during your undergraduate experience?
My most memorable experiences are working for Dr. YingYing Wang in her Understanding the Reading Brain study. I received the opportunity through UCARE, allowing me to work with parents and children in a clinical setting. I learned a tremendous amount about communication and research procedures, and I was able to put this to work even after the Spring Research Fair in 2019. I continued to work with Dr. Wang as a proctor for her study, where I administered assessments to children from all sorts of backgrounds. These were invaluable experiences all around, and I am thankful that I got to work with Dr. Wang for the majority of my time as a student at UNL.

What's next?
Currently, my plans are to work and travel as much as I can during the spring semester. I plan to pursue my master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences with my top choice being Portland State University.

Macey Mathis

Valentine, Nebraska | Communication Sciences and Disorders (Education minor)

When and how did you know communication sciences and disorders was what you wanted to study?
My path to finding speech pathology was somewhat unconventional. Most people who pursue this career have some kind of personal connection whether it be through a family member needing services or having a family member in the field. As I neared the end of my senior year of high school, I began thinking about possible career opportunities. I knew there were a lot of things I didn’t want to do, but finding what career I did want to pursue was difficult. It was actually my mom who put the idea of speech therapy out there. She knew I found great satisfaction in helping people, as well as how well I interacted with children and people with special needs. Not really having any other ideas of what I wanted to pursue, I went with it. I was all in after my first observation session in SLPA 150. I have found a passion for this field because of the versatility and the endless opportunities it has to offer.

What made Nebraska the right fit for you?
Coming from a small town, I knew I wanted to attend a larger college. Growing up a Husker fan, Lincoln was really the only school I had in mind. My older sister attended school at UNL so I had multiple opportunities to visit campus and get a real feel for what student life was like. None of the other schools I toured measured up to Lincoln. Every time I’d go on a tour at another school I’d compare every aspect of the school to Nebraska. I was also excited to live in a place where I had immediate access to everything I needed. The transition of moving from a town of less than 3,000 to a city of more than 280,000 was my biggest challenge as a freshman. I quickly figured out how to navigate Lincoln and it became very apparent that although Lincoln is large, it has a small community feel to it. I’m so lucky I was able to make Lincoln my home for the last three and a half years.

What has been the most memorable thing you've done during your undergraduate experience?
I can’t choose just one moment as the most memorable thing I’ve done during my undergrad experience. Some of the most memorable moments, however, stem from being a member of NSSLHA. Without this organization, I wouldn’t have participated in countless events that allowed me to get real-world experience with populations that I will be serving as a future SLP. One of the most recent opportunities NSSLHA led me to was working the week-long summer camp that the Lincoln Children’s Museum hosted for children with autism. For the duration of the week I was paired with a child who was non-verbal. This was a completely new experience for me as I had never worked with a non-verbal individual before. I quickly had to learn his preferred method of communication to help make his week as enjoyable as possible. This experience was also very memorable because I was able to interact with people all across the spectrum in one setting. While NSSLHA provided me with many great opportunities for new experiences, I was also fortunate to serve on the exec team. This opportunity allowed me to form deeper connections with my peers as well as learn valuable information from our amazing advisor - shout out to Alicia!

What's next?
After graduation, I will be moving home for the spring and summer. While home, I will be working part-time. I look forward to taking a break and enjoying time with friends and family. If all goes as planned, I will then begin a graduate program next fall. Fingers crossed!

Madi Thielen

Omaha, Nebraska | Communication Sciences and Disorders (Education minor)

When and how did you know communication sciences and disorders was what you wanted to study?
I really didn’t know communication sciences and disorders was what I wanted to study until halfway through my college career. My whole life I was certain that I wanted to be an elementary teacher, and was even involved in a program in high school where I got to experience multiple practicums and take college courses involving education. I can remember having a guest speaker talk with us about speech-language pathology and how it’s integrated into schools, but I still couldn’t get myself to give up my dream of being a teacher. I’ve had so many teachers touch my life and leave a lasting impact, so I wanted to hopefully do the same for my students in the future. However, after looking further into what speech-language pathologists really do and their ability to reach students of all grade levels and differing abilities, I knew it would be a great major change for me. I would still be able to be in a school district and work with kids, but also reach individuals with special needs, and have each day bring new and different challenges. After shadowing a speech-language pathologist and taking a few of the SLPA specific classes, I knew I had made the right decision in pursuing this degree.

What made Nebraska the right fit for you?
Being from Omaha, I always pictured myself going to the University of Nebraska and following in my parents’ footsteps to get my degree here. I considered other schools around the area, such as UNO and UNK, but I felt that Lincoln was the right distance from home, given that I could always hop in the car and be home in an hour or less, but still gain independence living on my own in a new city. I knew that I would find necessary support from the faculty at UNL, because it’s true what they say about ‘Nebraska Nice.’ I have truly felt valued here as a student and I can’t imagine experiencing undergrad anywhere else.

What has been the most memorable thing you've done during your undergraduate experience?
Changing my major to speech-language pathology really opened so many doors for me when it comes to volunteering and finding new experiences. Within the major, you come to find out that the same 30 people are in all of your classes, so it’s easy to build relationships, network, and hear about upcoming SLP-related events. I can remember sitting in class one day last year when my friend sitting next to me casually brought up the Down Syndrome Association for Families of Lincoln, and the monthly social events for the Teen/Young Adult Group that she had been attending. She invited me to come, and although I felt nervous and that I didn’t have the time, I went out on a limb and went to the event with her. Ever since then, I have attended the events religiously, and feel it has really helped me to become a better communication partner, and learn how to build trusting relationships with these individuals. I’ve even had a parent come up to me crying at a social event to thank me for doing it, and I was completely taken aback. This is because it feels much more like a privilege than anything I should ever be thanked for. So, in short, I believe it is important to join whatever clubs you can, and find an organization (or a few) that you can really put your whole self into. Talk with your classmates and the wonderful teachers at Barkley about upcoming events and push yourself to go, even if you’re reluctant at first. The more exposure you can have to communication disorders and individuals with unique needs during undergrad, the more prepared and comfortable you will be when it’s time to be their speech therapist.

What's next?
Currently, I am in the midst of applying to graduate schools and will hopefully be attending one of my four choices next fall to pursue my master’s degree and become an official speech-language pathologist. The whole process of applying for graduate school can be overwhelming, but it is also exciting to figure out each school’s specialized areas of focus, and the characteristics that make each school unique. Once I have finalized all my applications, I will continue to work as a server to save up as much money as I can to help pay for graduate school. I also plan to shadow speech-language pathologists in the area as much as I can. I intend to visit prospective schools with my free time so that I can get a firsthand look at the environment and get acquainted with the people, the curriculum, and the city where I may be living for the next two years as a graduate student. Finally, I look forward to a semester of spending time with my family and taking a necessary breather as well.

Jenna Van Bosch

Crystal Lake, Illinois | Communication Sciences and Disorders (Education minor)

When and how did you know communication sciences and disorders was what you wanted to study?
I knew the field of communication sciences and disorders was the right fit for me from a young age. Stemming from a family affected by hearing disorders, I wanted to pursue the field of audiology. Reflecting upon the profound impact an audiologist had in my life and with my family, I knew I wanted to reciprocate these actions. It combines my passion for research, technology, and the helping professions into the perfect bundle. This major offered the opportunity to further my interests in communication disorders while effectively preparing me for my future graduate school endeavors. My ultimate goal is to help the deaf/hard-of-hearing face their challenges and overcome obstacles, fostering independence and self-confidence through the gift of sound.

What made Nebraska the right fit for you?
Being born and raised in Illinois, I knew I wanted to venture out-of-state to broaden my horizons and explore new possibilities. Yet, I was not ready to let go of the Midwest culture. When I visited UNL for the first time, I fell in love with the atmosphere. All of the students and faculty I met were incredibly welcoming and supportive. When I discovered the diverse framework of clinical expertise and innovative research available, I knew Nebraska was the perfect fit. Now, 3.5 years later, my love for the university has only grown through the endless opportunities available here.

What has been the most memorable thing you've done during your undergraduate experience?
My most memorable undergraduate experience was being involved with the UNL chapter of National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA). From joining the organization my freshman year to being elected vice-president my junior year, NSSLHA has allowed for many unique volunteering and fundraising events that expanded my exposure into the field. I had the opportunity to collaborate with a variety of organizations within the Lincoln community and cultivated many great relationships along the way. These hands-on experiences really helped develop my leadership skills while furthering my passion for volunteering. The relationships I have formed and the knowledge I have gained will always remain a significant part of my life.

What's next?
After graduating this winter and completing the application process, I am looking forward to pursuing my Clinical Doctorate in Audiology beginning in fall 2020.