“My classmates and I support each other more than people realize,” says master’s student Maritza Shaw, who obtained her bachelor’s degree from Nevada State in 2017 and currently works as an SLP for CCSD. “We all understand the stress and frustration that each one of us is going through. Many of us work full-time jobs and then go directly from work to class or to practicum to finish out our day, so the exhaustion is mutual, at least in the work aspect. Not only do we lean on each other for support regarding school, but we also make it a point to check on each other on a personal level—for example, making sure we’re OK emotionally via text or email and spending time with one another outside of work/school.” “To maximize student success and clinical effectiveness, Nevada State’s program encourages students to engage in participatory activities,” says student Jason Zoldessy. “This allows groups to focus on project management, furthers dialogue on evidence-based practice, and allows the formation of a close-knit graduate community. Because we work so closely together, each student encourages and supports one another through in-school activities, such as study groups, as well as outside events, like dinners and other casual gatherings.” Shaw also comments, “I knew that a master’s would provide me with a variety of learning experiences as well as broaden my future career options. Personally, I take pride in the fact that I am always willing to learn and that any suggestions or critiques given by my professors are learning opportunities. I know that I can’t assist others and expect them to take what I say, implement my suggestions into their daily routine, and work toward achieving their goals if I’m unable to lead by example and implement what suggestions are being given to me.” Obviously, the department has grown since Speech Pathology’s early days of one faculty member. “Where there was once just Beth, we now have a department of six professionals and hope to add a few more part-time instructors,” says Potthoff. “This has all happened in the past couple of years.” In addition to being
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overseen by Ball, the department includes Clinic Director and Lecturer Melanie Emerson Bradle; Assistant Professor Christy Fleck; Assistant Professor Sharon Jones; Assistant Professor Elizabeth Meyerowitz; and Clinical Supervisors Patti Potthoff, Vicki Brumberg, and Regina Goings, who spent many years as the director of speech-language and audiology services at the Clark County School District. This group brings a wealth of clinical and research experience from many diverse settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, home health services, and rehabilitation centers. Ball comments that the department works closely with various outlets around the entire state, including the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology (SPA) at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Touro University, and the Clark County School District. Currently, both undergraduate- and graduatelevel speech pathology students at Nevada State College spend time working with children at the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry NS/RiteCare Clinic in Las Vegas. This amazing partnership, which offers speech services to children in Las Vegas at no cost, will continue; however, in addition, Nevada State College hopes to develop its own on-campus speech pathology clinic within the next few years. “We’re very excited about the opportunities this could bring to our community and our students,” says Clinic Director Bradle. Potthoff agrees, “This decision will enhance the quality of speech-language services available for children and adults who are living in Southern Nevada.” n