CSD/SLP Newsletter Summer 2025

MS-SLP Class of 2025 Graduates

The Thiel College MS-SLP Program graduated its fifth cohort of students in a special commencement ceremony Thrusday, July 31, 2025. Twenty-five graduates received their diplomas and then enjoyed a reception with proud family and friends at the Howard Miller Student Center.

Congratulations Class of 2025!

Lillianna Maria Briscoe ’24 M.S.’25, Beaver Falls, Pa.
Emma Lauren Deitz ’24 M.S.’25, Erie, Pa.
Alyssa Renee DiFrischia ’24 M.S.’25, Greenville, Pa.
Camille T. Fabian M.S.’25, Grove City, Pa.
Alayna Celine Flynn ’24 M.S.’25, Sharpsville, Pa.
Emily Kay Gagric M.S.’25, Monaca, Pa.
Caleigh Michael Hogan ’24 M.S.’25, Howland, Ohio
Jordan Kay Jennings ’24 M.S.’25, Portsmouth, Ohio
Caleigh Elizabeth Kiser M.S.’25, Conneaut Lake, Pa.
Elizabeth Brooke LaFleur M.S.’25, Stamford, Conn.
Airin Quetzali Lara M.S.’25, Oxnard, Calif.
Myah Nicole McAlister M.S.’25, Morgantown, W.Va.
Callae Storm Moody M.S.’25, Orwell, Ohio
Brooke Marie Mottley ’24 M.S.’25, Austinburg, Ohio
Isabella M. Nevarez M.S.’25, Visalia, Calif.
Jillian M. Pace M.S.’25, Stow, Ohio
Emma Kate Park ’24 M.S.’25, Greenville, Pa.
Emili Elizabeth Scavitto ’24 M.S.’25, Gettysburg, Pa.
Elisa Mireya Serrano M.S.’25, Greenville, Pa.
Sarah Parker Stoll M.S.’25, Modesto, Calif.
Savanna Lee Terracio M.S.’25, New Castle, Pa.
Lauren Kathleen Vuono M.S.’25, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Madison E. Yurich ’24 M.S.’25, Harmony, Pa.

View an album of photos.

A special congratulations went to Sarah Stoll, MS, CF-SLP for being named the 2025 Dr. Sonya Wilt Outstanding SLP Graduate Student. This award was established in honor of Dr. Sunny Wilt, the founding CSD faculty member at Thiel College, to honor the student who exemplifies overall excellence in each graduate cohort.

Sarah has distinguished herself in every way possible throughout her time in our program. She demonstrated excellent work ethic during all of her academic, clinical, and service endeavors at Thiel College. In class, Sarah showed a deep curiosity for communication disorders and how to treat them through her active engagement and participation in the classroom. But what truly sets Sarah apart is the way she has chosen to engage with her clients, her peers, and our program. Sarah embodied the qualities we hope to see in all future clinicians: kindness, compassion, initiative, and a spirit of generosity.

Additional honors went to Lillianna Briscoe, MS, CF-SLP who was named the 2025 Dr. Nancy Antonino Outstanding Graduate SLP Clinician. This award was established in honor of Dr. Nancy Antonino, the longest serving CSD faculty member at Thiel College, to honor the student who exemplifies excellence in clinical practice. Lillianna chose and completed the 5 year Bachelor/Master in Speech-Language Pathology at Thiel College. Throughout the entire program, Lillianna has shown an extraordinary passion for the field of speech-language pathology. She has a natural ability to combine her academic knowledge with real-world clinical skills and always approaches her work with dedication and professionalism. Her drive and work ethic have been evident to everyone she’s worked with.

Lillianna’s clinical supervisors from her most recent externship experience reported that she has exceeded their expectations for a graduate student! Her previous supervisors have all praised her strong performance, thoughtful approaches that are always tailored to her clients, and overall, her exceptional growth as a clinician. Lillianna’s commitment to this field and to her clients reflects the very best of what we hope for in future clinicians.

Cohort 6 Participates in Campus Interprofessional Education Event

Students from Thiel College’s graduate programs in speech-language pathology and physician assistant as well as students in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program gathered on June 26^th for an interprofessional education event aimed at fostering collaboration across healthcare disciplines.

The 90-minute session marked the first of two planned meetings and was an introductory experience to help students better understand each other’s roles and responsibilities in healthcare delivery. Activities focused on self-awareness, communication, and teamwork, including one that culminated in building a puzzle that emphasized the core components of interprofessional collaboration.

Students explored how personality traits can influence professional interactions and patient care. Working in cross-disciplinary teams, they also examined ethical values and shared perspectives on patient-centered care.

The IPE program’s goals are based on national interprofessional education core competencies: values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teamwork. The second IPE session is scheduled for October 31st and will feature a collaborative simulation focused on stroke care.

NSSLHA News and Upcoming Events:

During the 2025 MS-SLP Commencement, Emma Park, President of NSSLHA presented a special gift of an Assistive Listening System to President Traverso and Thiel College.

The Williams Sound FM System enables Thiel College to provide equal access to persons with disabilities, including those with hearing impairment, by transmitting sound directly to a listener’s hearing aid or ear bud without background noise interference. The system is ideal for classrooms, auditoriums, and event spaces, supporting Thiel’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all students and guests.

To purchase this gift, NSSLHA raised funds totaling $1000 through a bake sale during a football game last fall and a special popcorn fundraiser this past spring.

This project reflects the group’s commitment to advocacy, inclusion, and the future of accessible communication at Thiel College. The NSSLHA members hope this donation will not only benefit students in classrooms but also enhance the experience of visitors attending events in the college’s many public gathering spaces. A special thank you to Michael Mason in the Information Technology Department for assisting with the selection, purchase and installation of the system.

The system was immediately put to good use by family members of a graduate student to fully enjoy the commencement ceremony.

September 6^th: Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Join the Thiel College Chapter of NSSLHA as they participate in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer's® at Buhl Park on September 6, 2025, at 11:15am. By participating in this walk NSSLHA is raising awareness and funds to advance the fight against this disease — funds that allow the Alzheimer’s Association to provide 24/7 care and support while accelerating critical research.

Consider donating today by clicking this link: https://act.alz.org/site/TR?fr_id=17896&pg=team&team_id=896356

Fall Football Bleacher Buddies with St. Paul’s Senior Center

This year the annual Bleacher Buddies event will take place on October 25^th at 12:00pm as Thiel College takes on Case Western Reserve at Alumni Stadium at Stoeber Field. NSSLHA members will cheer the Tomcats to victory alongside residents of St. Paul’s Senior Living Community. Participants will wear commemorative spirit wear and enjoy a catered lunch.

MS-SLP Program News

Amy Tepper, Ed. D., CCC-SLP Program Director — Amy Tepper, Ed. D.
CCC-SLP Program Director

The CSD/SLP department welcomed Dr. Amy Tepper as the new Program Director this May. Dr. Tepper brings more than two decades of experience as a speech-language pathologist and nearly 10 years of experience as a college professor and academic leader. Most recently, she served as a tenured associate professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Baldwin Wallace University. Dr. Tepper earned her doctorate in disability and equity in education from National Louis University. Her academic and professional work focuses on removing barriers to learning, supporting diverse learning profiles, and fostering equitable educational environments. She has held leadership positions in the Ohio Speech-Language-Hearing Association, including serving as Director of Advocacy, and has presented extensively at state, national, and international conferences.

Stephanie Baxter, Administrative Assistant to the SLP Program — Stephanie Baxter
Administrative Assistant
to the SLP Program

The CSD/SLP department also welcomed Stephanie Baxter as the new Administrative Assistant to the SLP Program. Stephanie brings 20 years of administrative experience working in K-12 school districts in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Georgia. She and her husband returned to the Greenville area after 20 years to be close to family, and she is looking forward to working in higher education. In her spare time Stephanie enjoys gardening, traveling, camping and playing cards with family and friends.

Professor Julie Kobak presented a seminar on July 1^st at the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania (BIAPA) 2025 Annual Conference. The conference, held at the Lancaster County Convention Center, brings brain injury survivors, care partners and professionals together for two days of educational sessions, posters, exhibits and networking and social opportunities.

Kobak’s session, “A Multidisciplinary Team Approach to Concussion Management for College Students” outlined the collaborative model of concussion care being implemented by The Thiel College Concussion Management Team. Details of three key initiatives of this team were provided including research conducted to understand perceptions and knowledge of concussion, evidence-based education activities and awareness campaigns that were featured by Concussion Awareness Now, and ongoing cooperative efforts to manage Return-to-Play and Return-to-Play guidelines defined by the NCAA. Examples of practical strategies for responding to barriers and challenges for all stakeholders were discussed. Attendees were also provided with numerous ideas and resources that can be implemented or adapted across educational settings.

Kobak and the Concussion Management Team will be busy this fall as student athletes prepare for the season. The team will train graduate students in SLP to assist with baseline cognitive testing Aug 7-15th. Additionally, the second annual Concussion Peer Education Program will be held on August 20^th which aims to use peer educators as a means to foster a culture of safety and concussion awareness from within the team itself as opposed to relying exclusively on experts from outside the team. This year the football team will participate in this program. Also, in observance of National Concussion Awareness Day, the Concussion Management Team will host a special event during Common Hour on September 18^th in the Howard Miller Student Center Bistro Rotunda and Lutheran Heritage Room. Activities will include a trivia wheel, physical challenges while wearing concussion simulation goggles, signing of a concussion reporting pledge wall, snacks, treats, raffles and more!

Graduate Program Accepting Applications

Students interested in enrolling in Thiel College's graduate degree program in speech-language pathology should apply online via the CSDCAS website.

Speech-Language Pathology (M.S.) Application

The Thiel Advantage

High-quality program with no out-of-pocket fees
Graduate assistantships offered to all students
Accelerated program completion in 14 months
Experienced faculty representing expertise across SLP scope of practice
Clinical practicum opportunities every semester including on-campus Center for Speech-Language Services

Please contact Dr. Amy Tepper, Program Director, at atepper@thiel.edu or 724-589-2298 with any questions or concerns.