GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College will host its fourth annual Professional Development Day for speech-language pathology professionals, students and educators from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, in Stamm Lecture Hall of the Pedas Communication Center.
The event is open at no cost to Thiel College MS-SLP externship supervisors, students, alumni, faculty and community speech-language pathologists. Participants will engage in continuing education focused on emerging technologies in clinical practice and evidence-based treatment approaches across the speech-language pathology profession.
The professional development program reflects the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program’s emphasis on evidence-based practice, clinical education and professional engagement. The graduate program prepares speech-language pathologists to work with individuals across the lifespan in schools, healthcare settings, rehabilitation facilities and community-based practices.
The day will begin with a 3.5-hour workshop, “Beyond the Prompt: Practical and Clinical Applications of Generative AI in Speech-Language Pathology,” presented by Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Education at Thiel College Julie Kobak.
The session will examine how generative artificial intelligence tools can support clinical documentation, assessment and treatment planning, patient and caregiver education, research synthesis and the development of individualized therapy materials. Participants will also explore prompt-engineering strategies, ethical considerations, data privacy, bias detection and methods for evaluating AI-generated content within evidence-based speech-language pathology practice.
Kobak brings 30 years of clinical experience as a speech-language pathologist in pediatric and adult healthcare settings. A Certified Brain Injury Specialist, she serves on the Thiel College Concussion Management Team and has held leadership roles in clinical education for medical device companies specializing in communication and respiratory care.
The afternoon session, “Critical Appraisal of Treatment Evidence Across Scope of Practice and Lifespan,” will be presented by graduating members of the Master of Science in speech-language pathology under the mentorship of Amy Tepper, Ed.D., program director of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program and Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Student presenters will provide critical appraisals of treatment evidence from across the speech-language pathology scope of practice, demonstrating how clinicians can evaluate research quality, determine clinical relevance and apply evidence to patient care. The session is designed to strengthen participants’ ability to serve as critical consumers of research and support evidence-based decision-making in clinical settings.
Tepper leads Thiel College’s graduate speech-language pathology program, which focuses on evidence-based practice, interprofessional education and service to rural and underserved communities. A licensed speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience, she earned a doctorate in Disability and Equity in Education from National Louis University and previously served as a tenured associate professor at Baldwin Wallace University.
The program is approved for Act 48 hours through the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association, an approved provider of continuing education for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.