Speech + Hearing Month

To celebrate #SpeechAndHearingMonth, we asked students, staff and faculty, what speech-language pathology means to them and why they chose to pursue the profession.

Jana Reiger

Professor of Communication Sciences Disorders

“There is nothing like being able to help people connect with others, whether that's through restoring the ability to speak or the ability to swallow.” - Communication sciences and disorders professor Jana Rieger.

Youran Lin

MSc - PhD Speech-Language Pathology Student

As a child, Youran was inspired by the story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan, and is now pursuing an MScSLP and a PhD to help people achieve better communication.  

Cathryn Beck

MSc Speech-language Pathology Student

For MScSLP student Cathryn, the field of communication sciences and disorders is about empowering people to understand others and be understood — to have their messages heard.

Allison

MSc Speech-language Pathology Student

Future SLP practitioners like Allison know that improving communication ability lets us engage with others – and with our fullest lives.

Rebbeca Wiltzen

MSc Speech-language Pathology Student

Rebecca wanted to pursue a MScSLP because she was inspired by how great it would be to give people the power to communicate again.

Jaylyn Loewen

MSc Speech-langauge Pathology Student

The chance to be part of a rewarding field that has measurable, significant, positive impacts on families, communities and the world is one of the reasons Jaylyn chose the MScSLP program.

Andrea MacLeod

Professor + Chair of Communication Sciences + Disorders

Professor Andrea MacLeod’s bilingual background inspired her fascination with language and communities. The multidisciplinary aspect of her communication sciences research keeps her excited and challenged.

Katherine Gerke

MSc Speech-language Pathology Student

Helping people with the thing that really makes humans special – being able to communicate their thoughts – is why Katherine is studying to become a speech-language pathologist.

Jenny

MSc Speech-language Pathology Student

A love of helping people and a fascination with language – especially bilingualism – inspired Jenny to pursue an MScSLP. Now she’s dedicated to helping others tackle their communication challenges.

Esther Kim

Associate Professor of Communication Sciences + Disorders

When her childhood friend’s father suffered a stroke, associate professor Esther Kim saw how quickly our ability to communicate can be taken away. Now she supports people with aphasia and lives for the rewarding, breakthrough moments in an SLP’s career.