The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at East Stroudsburg University ended the 2023-2024 academic year by participating in conferences and community events.
On April 9, Dr. Susan Dillmuth-Miller, associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, along with Skyler Sislin, a sophomore from Rockaway N.J., and Emma Giovagnoli, a junior from Eynon, Pa., represented ESU’s communications sciences and disorders program and audiology and speech-language pathology professions at the Girl Power in STEM Symposium held at Penn State Hazleton. The half-day event brought together women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and introduced the fields to middle and high-school girls who may aspire to have a career in STEM. Through conversation, networking, and other engaging activities, students had the opportunity to develop a better understanding of career, and educational pathways as they connect with like-minded professionals. Dr. Dillmuth-Miller and the students hosted a round table where they answered questions about audiology and speech-language pathology and shared information about ESU’s programs. Approximately 275 girls from surrounding middle and high schools attended the 6th annual Girl Power in STEM Symposium hosted by the Greater Hazleton Partners in Education.
Faculty and students presented research during the Pennsylvania Speech Hearing Language Association Convention held April 10-13 in Pittsburgh. Dr. Akila Rajappa, assistant professor, presented on Inter-Professional Practice/Education for Dysphagia Care-Outcomes From Clinical Research Case Studies; Dr. LuAnn Batson-Magnuson, professor, and Emily Doll, instructor, presented on Co-Teaching in School Settings: What, Why and How; and Grace Hoelbinger, a senior from West Deptford, N.J., and Nicole Krozser, a graduate student from Boonton, N.J., under faculty advisor, Dr. Dillmuth-Miller, on Is Sports Detrimental to Sound Processing in the Brain?; and Screening Hearing Loss in Older Adults: A Comparison of Three Methods.
Graduate students studying communication sciences and disorders finished the 2023-2024 academic year with approximately 400 community service hours, having performed over 350 speech/language and hearing screenings. The ESU Speech and Hearing Clinic is committed to improving the lives of at-risk children by screening hearing and speech delays as early as possible and has been conducting hearing screenings in the community for the past 15 years. If undetected, hearing and speech problems can lead to communication, reading, social, and academic issues throughout a child’s life. Screenings were performed at a total of 18 facilities including local Head Starts, preschools, daycares, and public elementary schools. Graduate students acquired hearing and speech/language evaluation hours from completing these screenings. Grants from Weiler Family Foundation, AllOne Charities, Wawa, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Rotary of the Smithfield have funded equipment and supplies to sustain this valuable service to the Monroe County community. Graduate students worked under the supervision of Dr. Dillmuth-Miller, Dr. Rachel Wolf, professor and department chair, and Katherine Lazzara, instructor and clinic director.