Open houses help prospective students get a sense of what a program is actually like. And, what better way to learn about a Salus University program than first-hand from one of its current students.
“On the internet, different grad programs tend to blend together and it can be difficult to sort out the differences between programs to really make an informed decision,” said Luke Damiani ‘23SLP one of a handful of students featured at the first virtual open house by the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) department. “An open house gives prospective students the opportunity to actually talk with faculty and current students and to learn more about what makes a school unique.”
In addition to Damiani, students Veronica Baez, Rachel O’Brien, Mackenzie Tobin and Sophie Wollman, all ‘23SLP; and Gianna Cicini and Nikol Davidson, both ‘22SLP, participated in the open house, which also included Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair of the SLP program; and faculty members Kelly Salmon, SLPD, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CLT-LANA, NDC, Kim Edmonds, MS, CCC-SLP, Alison Finkelstein, MA, CCC-SLP and Eileen Hunsaker, MS, CCC-SLP.
Prospective students received a brief welcome from James Konopack, PhD, dean of the College of Health Sciences, Education and Rehabilitation (CHER) in which the SLP department lives followed by a question-and-answer session with Serianni and Kara Maharay, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, the SLP department’s new director of Clinical Education, which oversees the Speech-Language Institute.
That was followed by a presentation by Monica Scirrotto, MS, director of Admissions, and Christopher Speece, associate director of Admissions, which detailed how to make a strong application and how to prepare for an interview.
After a short break, prospective students were treated with a faculty panel discussion and second panel discussion by current students, who detailed their experiences in the program.
“I have enjoyed my experience at Salus, so I was excited to talk to prospective students about why I love the program,” said Damiani. “Advice that I gave was to consider the importance of early clinical experience in their preparation for their future careers. Nothing prepares you for your future field like actual hands-on experience in a clinical setting, and Salus gives you that experience right off the bat in the SLP program. It makes a huge difference in your education.”
Serianni agreed that the open house was a terrific way to connect with prospective students.
“We get the word out about the unique, diverse experiences that Salus graduate students obtain when attending the program, and the outstanding support our faculty offers to students who come to our University,” he said.
