MCSD's first- and second-year students had an incredible experience at the 2025 New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NJSHA) Convention, held March 27–28 in Atlantic City. Our program proudly contributed three research posters, showcasing students’ ongoing research projects on the following topics: Speech-Language Pathologist's (SLPs’) perceptions of counseling bilingual clients, perceptions of telepractice outcomes, and job satisfaction among New Jersey-based SLPs. The convention provided valuable opportunities for students to share their research findings, engage with professionals across the state, and gain insight into current advancements and challenges in the field of speech-language pathology.

#SLP2B  #SLP #speechlanguagepathology #NJSHA #StocktonUniversity

On March 27th, 2025, Hispanic Emphasis Specialization (HES) students, Chrissy LaPlaca and Jeff Gatton, presented a poster titled "Speech-Language Pathologists' Perceptions of Counseling Bilingual Clients" at the New Jersey Speech-Laguage-Hearing Association Convention held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.  They shared their research findings and discussed the challenges of mononlingual English-speaking SLPs in counseling bilingual clients.

Students in the MCSD-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization (HES) program conducted a parent workshop at a Pleasantville Preschool Program to engage with parents on topics related to early speech-language development, bilingualism, and red-flags that may warrant consulting with a speech-language pathologist. Through interactive small-group activities, students demonstrated how toys and books can support the development of speech-language development and social-pragmatic skills.

On Friday March 21^st, first-year students in the MCSD program completed Day #1 of the program’s Diagnostic Testing Experience. Students practiced administering standardized and non-standardized assessments with volunteer clients to gain experience in diagnostics for speech-language pathology. The experience offered students practice in conducting hearing and oral mechanism screenings, examining both language and speech sound production, as well as conducting case history interviews with parents and caregivers.

The 2nd year graduate students in Dr. Stacy Cassel's Medical Speech Pathology course had the opportunity to participate in an intro to FEES seminar to allow them to get their hands on a scope for their first pass!  We are grateful for PatCom Medical for their time and expertise in supporting our students.  

The Stockton MCSD Program is proud of its alumni! Sara Brogan and Hailee Porricelli were both recognized as NJ's Pediatric Provider Honorees in NJ Family Magazine Favorite Kids' Doc of 2024 for their work at the private practice, Speech Pathology Solutions. 

Sara has experience in all areas across the lifespan from pediatrics to the elderly population. She is certified in VitalStim, LSVT LOUD, and SPEAK OUT! and has a strong passion for helping individuals with Parkinson's and dysphagia. Sara strives to continue her education and knowledge for speech therapy and is currently working towards becoming a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S).

Hailee is also LSVT LOUD, Speak OUT! and VitalStim Certified.  She notes that it is an honor to be nominated as an honoree Favorite Kids' Doc of 2024.

Students from the MCSD Program celebrated their upcoming graduation during presentations of their capstone projects. Projects were centered on the MCSD Social Justice Curriculum designed to prepare students for professional clinical practice guided by the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. The curriculum served to meet accreditation standards and prepare the students to demonstrate compassion, cultural humility and responsiveness when working in the profession as speech-language pathologists.

The MCSD Cohort 13 visited the The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia on May 6^th . The highlight of the annual trip was the interactive Brain Exhibit. Hands-on experiences at the exhibit reinforced concepts related to neurology and neurological compromise that they learned in their first year of graduate study. 

Students from the School of Health Sciences attended a Networking Event on March 26, 2024 in the Campus Center at Stockton University. MCSD students had the opportunity to learn about prospective jobs and practice their communication and interview skills with valued affiliates of the school. 

Students in Cohort 13 of the Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders program received their white coats on January 11th during a meaningful ceremony that included family, friends, and suppporters. The white coat symbolizes the beginning of their independent clinical journey on campus at the Stockton Speech and Hearing Clinic.

MCSD Program faculty and alumni presented at the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention in Boston, Massachusetts in November. Congratulations to faculty members Dr. Phillip Hernandez, Dr. Amanda Copes, MaryAnn Schiattarella, and Dr. Monika Pawlowska, contributing researcher, on their poster presentation, "Developing a Social Justice Curriculum for a Graduate CSD Program."  Congratulations also to alumni Jennifer McIlvaine,  Gabriella Wendling, and Lauren Padula (not pictured) on their presentation, "Macros, Voice Control, and Accessibility: Oh My! Getting out of the Woods with Accessibility Features."  

Last week, our MCSD 2^nd year graduate student, Elisabeth Martin, had the honor of hosting a tour sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Camden County East Youth Council.  We are proud of Elisabeth’s service outside of the university.  #makingadifference #StocktonMCSD

“The past two days I have had the opportunity to chaperone the 6th annual Ivy League tour that is hosted by the NAACP Camden County East Youth Council. I had the honor of planning the 1st Ivy League tour when I was a senior in high school, so it was wonderful to see how far the tour has come. We had the pleasure of touring Cornell University, Ithaca College, Dartmouth College, Brown University, and Albright College with 22 high school students from various schools in Camden County. All of the students are leaders and committed to service and advocacy in their communities. It was a very educational experience and a great way to expose students to all forms of higher education.”

Dr. Phillip Hernández, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, BCS-CL

In May 2023, the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders (ABCLLD) approved Dr. Hernández as a Board-Certified Specialist in Child Language. Dr. Hernández's BCS-CL areas of emphasis include Bilingual Speakers, English as a Second Language, and Cultural & Linguistic Diversity. Clinical Specialty Certification enables a speech-language pathologist who demonstrates advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in a specified area of practice to be formally identified as a Board-Certified Specialist (BCS) in that area of practice.

On April 14, 2023, New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association Multicultural Committee members presented to MCSD students on the topic “Cultural Responsiveness: We are all Biased”. Cohort 12 students were required to research their family trees and complete the “Who am I?” assignment. The goal of the assignment was for students to continue to expand their cultural awareness by exploring their own backgrounds. Furthermore, Julia Handerhan and Genesaret Mora, cohort 11 Hispanic Emphasis Specialization students, presented “The Overrepresentation of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education” as their HES capstone project. Lastly, the student symposium culminated with all involved enjoying ethnic dishes representing their cultural provided by students and faculty.

On March 31, 2023, students in the SLPs in the Schools course and Hispanic Emphasis Specialization (HES) student, Elizabeth Arce, discussed speech, language, and literacy development with parents of preschoolers in Pleasantville Public Schools. Hands on speech, language, and literacy activities were provided to families in English and Spanish. At the end of the workshop, the families were provided with books donated by the students to take home to practice the speech, language, and literacy activities and strategies that were demonstrated by the MCSD graduate students.

On March 25th, 2023 1^st and 2^nd year MCSD students along with BSHS undergraduates, volunteered at the Silver Linings Senior Workshop. The event was hosted by the First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton, New Jersey. Students performed cognitive assessments and hearing screenings as well as educational information to over 60 older adult community members at the workshop.

MCSD graduate and BSHS undergraduates participated in Health Sciences Professional Networking on March 29^th. Its purpose was both to thank agencies that have hosted Stockton students for clinical training, and to introduce students to potential employers. ( Pictured upcoming 2023 graduates from cohort 11 along with Adam Nadle, Regional Director for Patient Care Therapy Group and Stockton alum)

The 1^st year students received their white coats on January 13^th during a ceremony symbolizing the beginning of their clinical journey on campus at the Stockton Speech and Hearing Clinic. (Cohort 12 pictured in front of the Speech and Hearing Clinic)

Congratulations Genesaret Mora, on being one of two Hispanic Caucus of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Scholarship recipients.

“Hi! My name is Genesaret Mora, and I am a proud Dominican American from Clifton, NJ. I am also a second -year graduate student in Stockton University’s Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders-Hispanic Emphasis Specialization (MCSD-HES) program. In addition to coursework and my clinical practicum, I work as a graduate assistant and volunteer for Hispanic community engagement activities. As a Hispanic student with a special interest in cultural and linguistic diversity, I aim to advocate for and represent my community in the field of communication sciences and disorders. I look forward to my future as a bilingual SLP. ¡Muchas Gracias!”

You ain't seen stuffing yet! The MCSD Cohort 11 graduate students got into the spirt of Thanksgiving by hosting a Friendsgiving during their Advocacy presentations. Faculty and friends from Cohort 12 were invited to take part in the festivities. Everyone dined on a variety of pot-luck dishes and all attendees reflected on the bond that forms with their school family.

#MCSD #Stockton #GradSchool #Friendsgiving #Traditions #Grateful #Cohort11 #Cohort12

The MCSD Program got into the fall spirit by having a pumpkin decorating contest with a twist. Graduate students from Cohort 12 were instruced to pick a book and decorate a pumpkin to resemble a character from the chosen book to promote literacy and the read aloud 15 minutes, a non-profit organization highlighting the importance of reading for 15 minutes daily. You will find a variety of character pumpkins including the famous Ursula from the "Little Mermaid" and "Cordury" the bear. The second-year graduate students from Cohort 11 were asked to serve as judges to determine the winner. The pumpkin characters were on display in the lobby of the Stockton Speech and Hearing Clinic through the month of November.                           

#Stockton #MCSD #LiteracyPumpkins #ASHA #ReadAloud15minutes

Brain Creations

Students in the Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders created "their brains" through the use of air-dry clay and various arts and crafts materials in Dr. Stacy Cassel's Neurological Bases of Communication Sciences & Disorders course during the first week of class.

National Alpha Eta Student Research Award

A 2022 alumna of the Master of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders program, Alyssa Erin L. De Guzman, received a National Student Research Award from Alpha Eta for her graduate program research titled: Experiences of Racially/Ethnically Diverse Undergraduates Students Pursuing Speech-Language Pathology. Alyssa was nominated by Dr. Monika Pawlowska, Research Faculty of the MCSD Department.