May 2018 graduate Q&As: Bachelor's degrees

02 May 2018    

Karlee Haecker  |  Raymond, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
I visited several different schools when deciding where I wanted to further my education. When I came to Nebraska, I felt at home. Both my parents were Huskers, and as the oldest child, I wanted to keep the trend alive. More than anything, I loved the academics that Nebraska and the Big Ten had to offer, especially the highly acclaimed education program. I knew once I visited Nebraska that this would be home for the next four years.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in special education?
Both my parents were educators and to be honest, I tried to avoid education altogether for the longest time. I finally realized education was my passion, but the side of special education was really intriguing to me because I wanted all my students to get the highest education possible. I knew that I would not be able to be as good of a teacher if I did not pursue a degree in special education as well.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the special education program?
I think it is important for incoming freshmen to know that there are days that it is very tough, but the outcome and rewards you get from working with students in special education is unmatched. I truly believe every student majoring in education needs to have a special education background. Having a special education background will give you a larger foundation to understand the diversity of children and how to best teach each and every one of them to their unique abilities. Cherish your time in this program because it flies by.

How has Nebraska's special education program prepared you for your future?
I feel as prepared as I can to teach a diverse group of students. Early on, I was able to be exposed to the classroom setting, which allowed me to confirm that education was the passion I was going to pursue. As I continued to grow and develop, the coursework and practicums continued to increase and I saw a growth in my teaching abilities, especially to many different groups of learners. I do not think I would be as prepared to work with a diverse group of students and be able to individualize lessons if it was not for the preparation of the special education program. I feel the coursework and practicums have all adequately prepared me for what is to come.

What’s next?
Following graduation, I will be working at Boone Central Schools in Albion, Nebraska, as an elementary school counselor. I'm very excited to see how my background in special education is used in my role as a counselor. The best is yet to come and I have Nebraska's education program to thank for that.

Elizabeth Hoffman  |  Lincoln, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Minors in education studies, mathematics)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
I wanted to attend UNL because of the variety of fields of study and research areas afforded by a large research university.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in communication sciences & disorders?
I am interested in language and communication, as well as the brain's role in facilitating both of these processes. I also like the flexibility of communication sciences and disorders as a career path. There are opportunities to work in a variety of areas, including schools, hospitals, private practice clinics, and academia.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the communication sciences & disorders program?
Advice that I would give to an incoming freshman is to take advantage of volunteering opportunities afforded by the communication sciences and disorders program, such as serving as a communication partner in the Barkley Speech Language and Hearing Clinic. It is a great way to gain experience that will be relevant to clinical work. I woudl also encourage getting involved in undergraduate research. Conducting research is a great experiences and an excellent way to explore interesting topics in the field.

How has Nebraska's communication sciences & disorders program prepared you for your future?
Nebraska's communication sciences and disorders program prepared me for my future by giving me the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research in the Communication Neuroscience Laboratories, providing volunteering opportunities through the Aphasia Community Partners program and affording the opportunity to serve as a communication partner in the Barkley Clinic, and developing challenging, relevant curriculum taught by excellent professors.

What’s next?
My plan is to pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology at Nebraska.

Letishia Lindhorst  |  Lindsay, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (Minor in education)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
After an experience with an SLP, she told me about the program at UNL. I did some research and saw the program was one of the best. I also wanted to stay close to home, so becoming a Husker allowed me to chase my dreams while still being close to home.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in communication sciences & disorders?
When I was a junior in high school, my oldest brother was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after being involved in a car accident. He went through many sessions of speech therapy and I had the opportunity to sit in on them. I loved how they were helping him communicate basic wants and needs, modifying his voice, and helping him swallow different types of food. I saw the progression how it started with gestures, to speaking a few words, to now speaking just like anyone else and eating what he wants.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the communication sciences & disorders program?
Become friends with other people who are in your speech classes. They make really great friends and study buddies to share notes with and help understand class material. Also, do not push off the required pre-professional courses. They are needed to apply for the Speech Pathology Endorsement and waiting will affect the future classes you can take. Become a member of the NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association) club on campus. Through this club, I was able to participate in lots of volunteer activities, grow as a professional, and learn about graduate school.

How has Nebraska's communication sciences & disorders program prepared you for your future?
All of my classes were relevant to the field in some way. I have gained a lot of knowledge from them and the professors who have taught the courses. My professors provided opportunities to have hands-on experiences with administering assessments and writing mock reports. Many of my classes had guest speakers that talked about specific disorders in the field.

What’s next?
After I graduate in May, I am going to attend graduate school at UNL to earn my master's in speech-language pathology.

Megan Poppert  |  Geneva, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (Minors in education, gerontology)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
Growing up in Nebraska, I went to football games and was on campus quite a bit for different camps and other events during high school. The atmosphere that the university created was incredible and I couldn't picture myself going to school anywhere else. I was drawn to all of the different opportunities that were available to me, and I found it easy to get involved with the different things that I am passionate about!

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in communication sciences & disorders?
When I was in high school and starting to think about the career I wanted to have later in life, I was almost dead set on physical therapy. When I went to shadow a physical therapist, they accidentally set me up with the speech pathologist instead. I immediately fell in love with the way that the therapist and client interact and how every client was different and unique in the type of therapy that they received. I will forever be thankful for that small mix up that introduced me to this field that I love so much today! I always knew I wanted to help others and this was the most rewarding way I could think of!

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being active in NSSLHA?
I am so grateful for the experience I have had in NSSLHA and loved serving as President in 2017. I was able to meet and collaborate with so many amazing people and organizations, and I have been able to use my new knowledge of these to further my connections throughout our field. I gained an amazing mentor through the last four years through NSSLHA who pushed me out of my comfort zone to benefit the organization as a whole. I am so grateful for my experience in NSSLHA and the opportunities I had to meet so many amazing people!

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the communication sciences & disorders program?
Some advice I'd give to incoming freshman is to get to know your professors early on. They are SUCH amazing people and are there to help you succeed. They care about you and are always available to answer questions or concerns that you may have. Another piece of advice I have is to ask questions even when you don't want to. The answers that you hear could lead to your next presentation topic, a new knowledge of an unknown career path, or can just be a personal experience from a professor that will teach you a valuable lesson. Don't be afraid to get involved in your classes!

How has Nebraska's communication sciences & disorders program prepared you for your future?
This program has helped me in more ways than one, and I will forever be thankful for that. The faculty and staff here cares about you and wants you to succeed whether your future plans include them or not. The classes I have taken challenged me to think outside of the box and apply my knowledge to real-life situations that could happen in my future!

What’s next?
This summer, I will continue to work at Husker Rehabilitation here in Lincoln as a Physical Therapy Technician and then move to Kearney, Nebraska, to continue my education in the graduate program at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, pursuing my master's degree in speech-language pathology starting in the fall!

Meghann Torchia  |  Omaha, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education & Special Education (Minor in psychology)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
After exploring a few small colleges and a couple other options, I decided UNL was the best fit for me because it was far enough away from home that I could be on my own, but close enough that I could go home whenever I wanted. After touring campus and going to a couple football games, it gave me a feel for the atmosphere and I knew it was the college for me.

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in special education?
I've always known I wanted to be in education! I chose to pursue a degree in special education because I have a family member with autism and a couple of friends who had siblings with special needs so it feels natural to me. After being immersed in the classrooms through my varied experiences in the Teacher's College, I found that I really enjoy working with kids in small groups and feel I can positively impact students who need extra help.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the special education program?
If you ever need anything, don't be afraid to ask! Talk to other students in your classes and professors in the College of Education and Human Sciences because they're always willing to help. Input from other students and professors is beneficial because it makes it more interesting and helps you stay committed. It's a small-college feel at a large university. Even education advisers will do anything they can to try to keep you on track! There will be some really tough semesters, but just push through because it's worth it in the end!

How has Nebraska's special education program prepared you for your future?
The best way to learn about anything is by doing. This program has given me so many opportunities to practice what I've learned. I have practiced writing lesson plans and IEPs, as well as gotten a lot of experience in elementary classrooms throughout my college career. I've been in different schools and grades, and I worked with students with many different ability levels.

What’s next?
After graduation, I will continue classes at UNL while participating in a research assistantship to pursue my master's degree in special education. Once a Husker, always a Husker - GBR!

Ellie Watkins  |  Omaha, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders (Minors in education, gerontology)

When you were deciding where to go to college, what made you want to be a Husker?
I always knew I wanted to be a Husker growing up. Once the time came around to choose the university I would attend, UNL was a "no-brainer." I chose to attend UNL because it is a Big Ten academic institution filled with endless opportunities to learn adn grow. I also chose to attend UNL because it is a fun-filled school that loves football! On a more personal note, UNL was only an hour away from my home in Omaha and the in-state tuition was a great plus!

Why did you choose to pursue a degree in communication sciences & disorders?
I first discovered the field of communication sciences and disorders in elementary school when I saw an SLP for my articulation difficulties. When faced with the decision of my future career, I reflected on the impact my elementary SLP had on my life and came to the conclusion that I wanted to make that same impact on other people's lives. I chose to major in communication sciences & disorders, as it is a field that combines my love for speech, language and science with another passion of mine: serving and helping others. When someone can't communicate what he or she is feeling, thinking and wanting, it is incredibly frustrating. I hope by becoming an SLP, someday I will be in a position to help these individuals communicate with confidence in the best way accessible to them.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of being active in NSSLHA?
Some of the most rewarding experiences I had while being active in NSSLHA was serving as vice-president and volunteering within the Lincoln community. As vice-president, I planned and coordinated various volunteer events for the club to participate in. Through NSSLHA, I was able to partake in hosting a "family movie night" at Lincoln's People's City Mission, volunteering with UNL's Scottish Rite Care Clinic, and volunteering with the Down Syndrome Association of Families - Nebraska (DSAF). The leadership skills I developed and volunteer opportunties I had the honor of participating in provided me with the most amazing memories that will last a lifetime.

What advice would you give an incoming freshman to the communication sciences & disorders program?
My advice to a freshman coming into the program is to get involved! Getting involved will allow you to get the most out of your experience at Nebraska. I encourage them to join clubs, volunteer, and look into becoming involved in undergraduate research. Being involved will allow you to network and make connections wtih fellow students, professors, and people in the community. If you step out of your comfort zone, challenge yourself, and become involved, you will learn so many valuable lessons that aren't always taught in the classroom.

How has Nebraska's communication sciences & disorders program prepared you for your future?
This program provided me with a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be of benefit to me in graduate school. The professors in the communication sciences and disorders program are top-notch educators who are advocates for each and every one of their students, and want to see them succeed. The program also provided me with many opportunities to become involved outside of the classroom. I worked as an undergraduate researcher in one of the program's many research labs, volunteered, and became a leader in a student organization. Thanks to the world-class educators and the extracurricular experiences in the program, I feel as though I am prepared for the future.

What’s next?
After graduation, I plan to attend graduate school this fall at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to pursue my master's degree in speech-language pathology.