Communication Sciences and Disorders Open House Helps Influence Prospective Students

The influence of a mother can be strong. Just ask Madelyn Morris.

“My mom was big motivation. She’s an occupational therapist, so growing up and hearing about her work in special education really inspired me,” said Morris.

And, then she shadowed a speech therapist one day and that solidified her career path to this point.

“Seeing how many areas and in how many different settings a speech therapist can work, it seemed like the perfect fit for me and I’m so excited to jump into it,” she said.

Morris was one of several students to attend an open house July 11, 2022, hosted by the University’s Osborne College of Audiology (OCA) and department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP). The inaugural half-day event, for prospective students wanting to study communication sciences and disorders — audiology and speech-language pathology respectively, featured a campus tour, lab demonstrations, tips from the Office of Admissions and a question-and-answer session with both SLP and OCA faculty members.

For Jocelyn Lim, an incoming senior at Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, who is studying audiology and speech-language pathology, sound has always been important her. Lim has a genetic disorder and was told early on in her life that music development helps stimulate the brain. So, she took up singing and playing the piano and violin.

“This event today helped give me a better idea about preparation. I liked seeing how the professors were really engaging and how students are being prepared,” she said.

Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, director of the SLP program at Salus, said it was great to be able to offer an in-person open house to prospective students.

“I was excited to meet the students and their families and  to have them experience snippets of the program from classroom experiences to touring the on-campus clinic, the Speech-Language Institute,” he said. “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share the wonderful resources and for students to meet our exceptional faculty.”

For Jourdyn Wilmore, who graduated from West Chester University with a degree in Health Sciences, the open house provided an opportunity to look at how Salus can help further her career aspirations.

“I love helping people and I want to make an impact for people with hearing disabilities,” said Wilmore, who is currently in a program taking prerequisites that will allow her to apply at OCA. “I liked the campus; the experience students will have and I liked knowing that there is help available if I need it.”

Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, CCC-A, FAAA, dean of OCA, said it was exciting to see the students and parents face-to-face at the open house.

“The energy in the room was vibrant and students asked lots of interesting questions,” she said.

Wilmore, Lim and Morris all said the open house experience helped convince them to complete their applications to Salus.

“Salus is definitely high on my list,” said Morris.