Communication Sciences and Disorders - Winter 2023 Newsletter

NSSLHA Bleacher Buddies

The Thiel College chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) was active this past fall semester. The students raised funds and organized the first annual Bleacher Buddies event. Fourteen residents and five staff members from St Paul’s Senior Community attended the Thiel Football game on October 30th. NSSLHA coordinated and hosted the event along with the Event Planner, Mimi Dreher from St. Paul’s, and support from the Thiel Athletic and Student Life departments. Free admission to the game, matching sweatshirts, and a catered lunch were provided. It was a beautiful day for the event and all the residents and student volunteers reported that they thoroughly enjoyed the game, food and refreshments, and especially each other’s company!

NSSLHA members attend the October 30th Thiel College home football game.

Residents from St. Paul’s Senior Community enjoy a Thiel Football Game on a beautiful fall day.

NSSLHA members host their Bleacher Buddies to a sideline lunch at the game. — NSSLHA members host their “Bleacher Buddies” to a sideline lunch at the game.

NSSLHA officers (L to R) Megan Kiley -President, Lindsey Holley- Event Planner, and Anna Gordon- Secretary

ASHA 2022 Convention

Eight members of NSSLHA also attended the American Speech and Hearing Association 2022 Convention in New Orleans, LA along with their advisor Dr. Jeanette Benigas. The students enjoyed attending presentations and interacting with exhibitors, especially getting to try various products used for swallowing and voice evaluations. The students also manned the Thiel College exhibit booth at the Graduate School Fair and shared their experiences with prospective graduate students. Dr. Benigas presented a session on The Sate of the Adjunct Professor.

Students with Michelle Skelley, M.Ed. CCC/SLP (center), President and Clinical Director of SA Swallowing Services.

Graduate student passing a flexible laryngoscope at a vendor’s booth.

The Thiel College table at the Graduate School Fair.

Communication Sciences Disorders Department Welcomes New Faculty

Three new Adjunct Professors joined the department this fall semester to assist with course instruction and clinical education and supervision in the Thiel Center for Speech Language Services and off campus clinical sites.

Cassandra Shearer, MS CCC-SLP
Adjunct Professor

Cassie received her master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and has been working with the pediatric population for 5 years. She has supervised graduate students for the last 3 years and enjoys helping to educate future speech language pathologists and see them progress. Cassie most recently taught her first undergraduate level course this past fall and has found a love for the classroom in addition to working as an SLP in a private practice.

Linda Collins
Adjunct Professor

Linda is currently the manager of outpatient and inpatient services at Sharon Regional Medical Center servicing the pediatric and adult community for their needs in speech, language, voice, swallowing and neurologic effects on speech and language. She is co-author of the Swallowing Guide and is certified in MBSImp and MOCA.

Ashley Tonini
Adjunct Professor

Ashley is employed full-time as a Speech-Language Pathologist providing Telehealth Services to students aged Pre-School to High School. Her professional career began after receiving degrees from California University of Pennsylvania in 2014. She first worked in the public-school setting in Prince William County, VA, followed by 6 years in the acute inpatient, rehabilitation, and outpatient settings for UPMC Centers for Rehab Services. Her career has provided her with knowledge across all ages and disabilities that she cannot wait to share as a clinical educator.

News from the Thiel Center for Speech Language Services

The nonprofit support organization, Friends - The National Association of Young People Who Stutter, organized a wonderful opportunity for a client from our clinic. Jackie Sepos received complimentary tickets to attend a Pittsburgh Penguins game with a family member at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, and then have a meet and greet with Bryan Rust, a player who stutters. Jackie’s mom reported after the game that Jackie had a wonderful experience!

“Just wanted to thank you all at Thiel for giving Jackie that wonderful experience. She had a ball. Brian Rust was amazing and spoke to her about how he overcame his stutter, and he didn’t let it get in the way of his dreams. Iceberg the mascot came and brought her a gift bag. She loves hockey now she said. Haha. Pens won and Brian even scored a goal. It was perfect!” – Danielle Sepos

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 with merit awards and scholarships also available
Program completion in 14 months
Excellent full-time faculty with clinical, teaching, and research experience across the SLP scope of practice
New on-campus Center for Speech-Language Services
Clinical rotations every semester

Characteristics of a Successful Candidate

Professional, responsible, flexible, and empathetic individual
Overall 3.0 GPA or higher
Bachelor's degree in CSD or related field or desire to complete prerequisites courses
Strong extracurricular record

The Thiel College/CSD Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, or sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity). Please contact Dr. Mary Beth Mason, Program Director, at mbmason@thiel.edu or 724-589-2298 with any questions or concerns.