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CSD/SLP Newsletter Summer 2026

Thiel CSD Celebrates Student Success and an Exciting New Academic Year

Celebrating the Class of 2026

The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders proudly congratulates our 2026 Bachelor of Science graduates:

• Tristan Bruckner ‘26
• Kylee Surrena ‘26
• Hailey Kidd ‘26
• Tiffany Mong ‘26

Each graduate earned Department Honors and the prestigious National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Gold Award, recognizing outstanding academic achievement, leadership, service and professional engagement.

Special recognition goes to Kylee Surrena ‘26, recipient of the 2026 Dr. Sonya Wilt Outstanding Undergraduate Speech-Language Pathology Student Award, and Hailey Kidd ‘26, recipient of the 2026 Dr. Nancy Antonino Outstanding Undergraduate Speech-Language Pathology Clinician Award.

A special reception on May 6th celebrated these exceptional graduates and their many accomplishments. The event also honored Professor Emeritus Dr. Nancy Antonino, whose final cohort of undergraduate students included this remarkable graduating class before her retirement.

During the celebration, members of the Thiel College NSSLHA Chapter unveiled a beautiful dedication garden designed and planted in Dr. Antonino’s honor. Students shared heartfelt reflections expressing their gratitude, admiration and appreciation for her decades of service to the profession, her unwavering mentorship and the countless lives she has impacted through her teaching and clinical leadership.

Welcoming Cohort 7

This summer, the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Program welcomed Cohort 7, bringing together an impressive and diverse group of students from across the United States, including Alaska, California, Florida and New Jersey.

Many members of the incoming cohort bring valuable professional experience from careers in education, applied behavior analysis and as speech-language pathology assistants. Their diverse backgrounds enrich classroom discussions and clinical learning while strengthening the collaborative spirit of the program.

Students have already begun the accelerated curriculum with a full academic course load while simultaneously providing services during their first clinical practicum at the Thiel Center for Speech-Language Services. They are also serving the surrounding community by conducting speech and hearing screenings throughout Mercer County as part of the Success by Six early childhood initiative.

Innovation Grant Expands Early Language Services

This summer marked the implementation of the Bundles of Learning Interactive Book Reading initiative, supported through the Judge and Mrs. George H. Rowley Endowment for Teaching Excellence. The program welcomed 20 preschool-aged children for both individual and small-group language intervention designed to strengthen early literacy, language development and caregiver engagement through evidence-based interactive book reading.

The grant has expanded both student clinical training and community outreach while providing graduate clinicians with valuable hands-on experience using innovative, evidence-based intervention approaches with young children.

Learn more about the initiative in the Thiel College newsroom.

Expanding Parkinson’s Disease Services

Graduate student clinicians recently completed certification in the internationally recognized SPEAK OUT!® treatment program and are currently providing therapy to 12 individuals with Parkinson’s disease for both in person and telehealth sessions.

Clients have been referred through Parkinson’s exercise and wellness programs offered in the Youngstown region in partnership with Youngstown State University and the Jewish Community Center, allowing students to gain valuable experience treating communication disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease while providing an important service to the regional community.

If you or someone you know is interested in these services, the clinic is still accepting new clients. Contact 724-589-2020 or email jkobak@thiel.edu

Cohort 6 Nears Graduation

While Cohort 7 is just beginning its journey, Cohort 6 is completing the final phase of clinical education through adult medical externships across a variety of healthcare settings. These students will celebrate the culmination of their graduate education during the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology Commencement Ceremony on July 30.

Additional commencement information is available at Speech-Language Pathology Commencement Exercises webpage.

Looking Ahead

The department continues to invest in innovation, clinical excellence and lifelong learning.

This fall, faculty and clinicians look forward to hosting the Fourth Annual Professional Development Day, bringing together students, alumni and regional professionals for continuing education, collaboration and networking.

This year's program will feature two engaging educational sessions that address emerging trends and strengthen evidence-based clinical practice across the profession. The morning workshop, "Beyond the Prompt: Practical and Clinical Applications of Generative AI in Speech-Language Pathology," and the afternoon session, "Critical Appraisal of Treatment Evidence Across Scope of Practice and Lifespan."

The event is offered free of charge to Thiel College MS-SLP clinical supervisors, alumni, students, faculty and practicing speech-language pathologists in the region. Participants will have the opportunity to earn ASHA Continuing Education (CE) credits, making the conference an outstanding opportunity to fulfill professional development requirements while learning practical strategies that can be immediately applied in clinical practice.

• Read more in the newsroom and register for this event.

Faculty members will also attend the Inaugural Ultra-SLP Conference, July 15–17, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to receive advanced training in ultrasound applications for speech-language pathology. This cutting-edge professional development will support the department’s continued expansion of evidence-based clinical education and future implementation of ultrasound technology into student learning experiences.

As another academic year begins, the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders celebrates the accomplishments of our graduates, welcomes the next generation of clinicians and remains committed to preparing outstanding speech-language pathologists through innovative teaching, exceptional clinical education and meaningful service to our communities.