DESK FROM THE
Mark Guiberson, PhD, CCC-SLP Summer 2023Dear friends,
Welcome to the 2023 Division of Communication Disorders Newsletter!
We are thrilled to share the latest updates, achievements, and innovations within our dynamic academic community. From remarkable support to outstanding faculty and student awards, as well as continued innovations in clinical practice and training, there is much to celebrate.
We are delighted to announce a major gift to the Steve Elliott Scholarship in Communication Disorders. This scholarship, established by UW Speech & Hearing Clinic patron, Steve Elliott, provides financial support to deserving students pursuing studies
in speech-language pathology. Steve’s lifelong friends, Paul and Judy Lerwick, endowed this scholarship in 2015 and have continued to build the scholarship portfolio over the last ten years. With this new gift, the Division has the flexibility to offer a Steve Elliott UW Speech & Hearing Clinic Graduate Assistantship. UW Speech Clinic Director, Corri Sandoval, was thrilled to hear about this new graduate assistantship. “We are very excited to have the Steve Elliott Speech and Hearing Clinic Graduate Assistantship to support day-to-day processes in the clinic as well as assistance with externship and offcampus clinical placements.” Last year,
several alumni contributed to the Steve Elliott Scholarship in Communication Disorders. These funds go directly to our students, just as Steve would have wanted.
We would like to acknowledge our faculty and students for their outstanding achievements and recognitions this past year! As you’ll see in the newsletter, several of our esteemed faculty members have received awards and funding. Likewise, our students have been flourishing and earning welldeserved recognition for their academic accomplishments. These achievements not only reflect the expertise and dedication of our faculty and students but also demonstrate our Division’s reputation
Division of Communication Disorders students at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention in New Orleans in November 2022.as a leader in cutting-edge research and education.
In addition to scholarly achievements, we are thrilled to highlight the innovative practices taking place at the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic. Our clinic has continued to embrace advancements in technology and evidence-based treatments, providing students with invaluable learning opportunities and ensuring the highest quality of care for our clients. From the implementation of telepractice to electronic medical records and the use of virtual reality (VR) in clinical training, our clinic remains at the forefront of innovations in clinical pedagogy and practice.
This Spring, the faculty updated the Division of Communication Disorders’ Vision and Mission statements as part of our strategic planning.
Vision: Our vision is to be a program of excellence with cutting-edge research, exceptional teaching and learning, and state-of-the-art clinical programs.
Mission: Our mission is to advance the science behind practice, develop practiceready speech-language pathologists
4 2023-24 Steve Elliott Speech and Hearing
4 ComDis Welcomes Back Amy Peterson
5 Clinician’s Corner: Hannah Young
6 CHS Award: Katelyn Kotlarek
to serve the communication needs of individuals from all backgrounds, and to elevate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession.
Our dedicated faculty, exceptional students, and hardworking staff are fully committed to turning these plans into reality! We encourage you to stay connected and informed about the latest developments by following our Division faculty publications and engaging with us on social media.
As we conclude this newsletter, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to our alumni and friends for their unwavering support, dedication, and passion for UW and the Division of Communication Disorders. We hope you have found this newsletter both informative and inspiring, and we encourage you to share your success stories and provide suggestions for future editions by reaching out to us at comdis@ uwyo.edu OR complete this electronic form. We also extend an invitation to those interested in mentoring a graduate student and contributing to the growth of future speech-language pathologists. Our
7 An Interview with 2022
Distinguished Alumna, Marisa Yagi
8 Awards, Achievements & Acknowledgments
10 2023 University of Wyoming
Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award: Samantha Power
11 NSSLHA Year in Review
12 Congratulations Graduates
MS SLP graduate students complete three off-campus rotations, and we provide supervisors an honorarium. We eagerly await your response and look forward to hearing from you!
Wishing you a fantastic school year and fall season,
Mark Guiberson Division Director, ProfessorUniversity of Wyoming College of Health Sciences
Division of Communication Disorders, Dept. 3311 1000 E. University Avenue, Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6427 • email: comdis@uwyo.edu
www.uwyo.edu/comdis/
Mark Guiberson, Division Director and Professor
Brandi Hecker, Accountant, Staff Supervisor
Mark Belcher, Marketing & Communication Specialist
Graduate student Scott Robinson works with a client as he was using VR to practice a presentation and answer questions in front of a virtual audience.
3 Legacy of Steve Elliott
Clinic Graduate Assistant: Erin Esty
LEGACY OF STEVE ELLIOTT
By Tana Dahlberg, First year MS-SLP graduate studentThe University of Wyoming is home to numerous remarkable alumni who have inspiring stories to share. Among them, Paul Lerwick’s life was forever changed when he crossed paths with Steve Elliott. Their friendship, forged in 1970, has left a lasting impact on both of their lives and the lives of countless others.
Paul’s chance meeting with Steve began at the University of Wyoming’s Half Acre, where he noticed Steve struggling with a combination lock on his locker. Paul offered to help Steve. Paul’s simple act of kindness led to an enduring and extraordinary friendship.
Steve Elliott’s journey began in Laramie, where he faced significant challenges from birth. Born with cerebral palsy, Steve navigated life with determination and resilience. He grew up in Laramie with his brother, Roger. Steve’s parents instilled in him a pioneer spirit, firmly believing that his disability should never limit his ambitions. His family taught him to ride a bicycle, fostering his independence and providing him with a means of transportation. Steve enjoyed engaging in activities such as bowling, swimming, singing at his local church, and building meaningful connections with others. He worked alongside his brother, Roger, on a paper route and contributed to landscaping projects on the university campus.
After graduating high school, Steve made his way to the University of Wyoming where he applied himself to classes and part-time jobs. He worked diligently by recording lectures and then transcribing notes after each class. Steve was also a client at the UW Speech & Hearing Clinic, where he formed friendships with the faculty who encouraged him to share his experiences with others. Steve delivered lectures and presentations to various audiences, including high school and college students, the Rotary Club, and the Lions Club.
Following his college years, Steve worked for the US Forest Service in Laramie. His unwavering dedication and strong work ethic earned him respect from his colleagues; he was awarded the USDA Outstanding Handicapped Federal Employee award in 1981. Determined to express his gratitude to the Speech and Hearing Department, Steve established a non-endowed scholarship fund to support students in the Division of Communication Disorders.
Steve maintained a strong friendship with Paul Lerwick and his wife, Judy. When Paul and Judy discovered the scholarship fund Steve had initiated in the 1990s, they felt compelled to contribute. Over the years, their commitment to honoring Steve’s legacy led to the endowment of the Steve Elliott Scholarship in Communication Disorders. The Lerwick’s gifts have often been matched by other donors or matching opportunities. This past spring, the Steve Elliott Scholarship fund received a significant boost from the Lerwicks. This new gift will provide additional scholarships to students and will also support a Steve Elliott UW Speech & Hearing Clinic Graduate Assistant.
Paul and Judy Lerwick believe Steve would be delighted by the impact he continues to have on countless students. They hope that the scholarship inspires recipients to adopt a mindset without limits, mirroring Steve’s optimistic outlook on life. Throughout the year, donors and alumni also contribute to the Steve Elliott Scholarship in Communication Disorders, underscoring the enduring impact of his story and the scholarship.
Steve Elliott exemplified a life lived to the fullest, defying any limitations from cerebral palsy. His steadfast conviction in the power of possibility serves as a message for all to bust through perceived barriers. Steve’s legacy, resolute determination, and indomitable spirit will continue to inspire students and others who learn his story.
ESTY — Recipient of the Steve Elliott Speech and Hearing Clinic Graduate Assistantship
By Amy Peterson, Assistant Professor
Erin Esty is the proud recipient of the Steve Elliott Speech and Hearing Clinic Graduate Assistantship starting in Fall 2023. Erin is a Colorado Springs native who found her undergraduate home at the University of Wyoming, and she is excited to continue her academic career at UW for her master’s in speech-language pathology. Erin says she fell in
love with UW because of how beautiful it was and because it was close to home while also being far enough away for her to enjoy the freedom that comes with being an undergrad. Erin has been involved in different organizations on campus, but her proudest involvement comes from being an officer for the Cowboy Country Swing Club, which is the largest registered student organization on campus. Erin is looking forward to graduate
Welcoming Dr. Amy Peterson
By Hannah Young, Assistant Clinical ProfessorIn the Fall of 2022, the division was fortunate to welcome its proud alum, Dr. Amy Peterson, back to the University of Wyoming as an Assistant Professor in Communication Disorders. Dr. Peterson completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Wyoming before beginning her career as a speech language pathologist (SLP) in Cheyenne, WY. While practicing as an educational speech language pathologist, Dr. Peterson became involved in a research study examining language intervention for school-age students. When asked about her professional journey, she stated, “This led me to really want to pursue researching this area further because I knew there was a gap in the research evidence for language intervention for older students.” As a result, after several years of serving families and clients in the early intervention and elementary school settings, Dr. Peterson transitioned to Utah State University to pursue her Ph.D. While at USU, Dr. Peterson specialized in implementation science, which is the study of how to get research-based innovations into the hands of clinicians in meaningful ways and how those innovations can help the clients, students, and general population of people who need them.
As a Ph.D. student, Dr. Peterson had eight years of lived SLP
school where she will answer questions she still has through specific classes that get into the “nitty gritty” of the field. She hopes to work in a hospital setting after grad school and might eventually open her own practice. When asked what this GAship meant to her, she said “A LOT. It means I can continue my education financially stress-free while managing the loans I already have. It made my parents really happy too!”
experience that drove her desire to research innovations that could be used in practice. As a recent Ph.D. graduate and new faculty member at the University of Wyoming, she plans to continue to serve the SLP community by furthering her research focused on implementation science. Currently, Dr. Peterson’s research focuses on intervention for adolescents with language disorders. She shared, “Ideally these interventions will be immediately applicable to SLPs working with adolescents in the schools.” She is also working with other faculty members in the department on implementation science projects that relate to their specific areas of interest.
Within her first year as an assistant professor, Dr. Peterson has positively impacted several undergraduate and graduate students in the program. Currently, she has a master’s thesis student who is conducting an intervention study as part of her program. She also has several students in her lab helping with analysis of qualitative projects. When asked about student research, she enthusiastically stated, “I am always eager to build excitement and interest in research.” Shiloh Sather, a first-year graduate student shared, “Dr. Peterson is an inspiring mentor, and genuinely wants me to succeed. Walking out of her office after our first discussion of a possible thesis, I had gone from being unsure of exploring research to being completely excited and motivated to begin.”
The division looks forward to the impact that Dr. Peterson will continue to have on her fellow faculty, UW students, and the field of speech language pathology. Within the last year, she was chosen to be a protégé in the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA) Pathways program. She is also a UW Academic Writing fellow. When asked about her return to the University of Wyoming, Dr. Peterson said, “I love being back in Wyoming! It’s so nice to have connections with SLPs and other professionals state-wide that can be a part of my research program and help me learn more about implementation science in a ‘real world’ setting.”
CLINICIAN CORNER
By Amy Peterson, Assistant ProfessorThe Division of Communication Disorders at UW has a lot to celebrate this year as Ms. Hannah Young, a Wyoming native, joined the clinical faculty! After earning her bachelor’s degree from UW in 2015, Hannah went to Penn State University for her master’s degree. She trained with wellknown researchers in COMD and specifically worked on a Communicative Competence grant to improve assessment and treatment for those with complex communication needs who use alternative and augmentative communication (AAC). Ms. Young worked for 5 years in school-based settings in Colorado and Wyoming before joining the COMD clinical faculty this year.
Ms. Young exemplifies good instruction, both in the clinic and in the classroom. Ms. Young won the Promoting Intellectual Engagement in the First Year (PIE) award for her Introduction to Communication Disorders course. The prestigious PIE award is a studentnominated award for instructors that inspire students intellectually in firstyear courses, typically freshman and sophomore students. Ms. Young’s students shared how she engaged them in material, promoted a successful transition to college expectations, and fostered their investment in learning. Some highlights from her student comments include:
“Ms. Young is an amazing teacher. She is very kind and supportive. Her classes were so interesting that I enjoyed every minute of the class.”
“Professor Young was amazing. I never would have guessed that she was a first-year teacher if she did not tell us. She
encouraged her students to work hard and was easy to follow in her lectures. She listened to recommendations when she asked for feedback on how class was going and on what the class did and didn’t like. She was genuinely happy to see her students succeed and I would recommend her to every student!”
“Ms. Young was an absolutely amazing instructor; she was incredibly engaging and informative while making the class a fun experience in the process. I actually liked exams in this class because I was so interested in the topics, and it felt like
trivia not a test. This class has solidified my want to be an SLP and a huge part of that is due to Ms. Young.”
Hannah has always had interest in teaching at the college level and sought teaching opportunities while working in Cheyenne at LCCC. She knew after teaching AAC for the SLPA program that she needed to pursue higher-education instruction “sooner than later” and shares a bit of her teaching philosophy for the college level. Hannah says “I think that it is extremely important to listen to your students and to let them be advocates of their own learning … creating a welcoming environment in which you are accessible and approachable to students allows for frequent student feedback. As a first-year instructor, this was my priority.”
Ms. Young’s teaching does not stop in the classroom. She uses her clinical knowledge to provide teaching and guidance for graduate students that is reflective of the real-world demands on practicing SLPs. Through her mentorship, she wants students to learn to adjust to new clients and prepare for managing full caseloads once they are out in practice. Helping students to develop evidencebased practices in the clinic that they will use later in their career is integral to Ms. Young’s clinical teaching philosophy. Ms. Young shares “I am extremely grateful for the support I’ve received from students, staff, and faculty as I embark on this new career journey!”
“MS. YOUNG IS AN AMAZING TEACHER. SHE IS VERY KIND AND SUPPORTIVE. HER CLASSES WERE SO INTERESTING THAT I ENJOYED EVERY MINUTE OF THE CLASS.”Hannah Young
Katelyn Kotlarek Honored with Outstanding Scholar Award
We are delighted to announce that Dr. Katelyn Kotlarek has been honored with the 2023 College of Health Sciences
Outstanding Scholar Award. As an assistant professor in the Division of Communication Disorders, Dr. Kotlarek has demonstrated remarkable achievements in scholarship. Her research has made a significant impact on the field, particularly in the areas of craniofacial disorders and the pedagogy of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her primary research focus revolves around the utilization of MRI to compare surgical interventions for primary palatoplasty. Throughout her four years in academia, she has amassed an impressive publication record, with 20 peer-reviewed articles published in highly regarded journals such as the Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal, the Journal of Speech, Language, Hearing Research and Language and Speech and Hearing Services in Schools. Furthermore, her scholarly work has been shared at 56 national and international conferences, earning her nine meritorious poster awards at the American-Speech-Language Hearing Conventions. Dr. Kotlarek’ s groundbreaking research has been supported by the Wyoming IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant, among other funding sources, highlighting the significance and potential impact of her work.
In addition to her exceptional research, Dr. Kotlarek has displayed a profound commitment to mentoring students, leading to exceptional outcomes. Under her guidance, students from the Division of Communication Disorders and WWAMI have excelled. Several students have received national competitive awards. Dr. Kotlarek’s mentorship has resulted in 10 peer-reviewed student authored publications
and 13 published conference abstracts. Notably, her students have delivered 19 national presentations, showcasing their research on a broader platform. The invaluable guidance she provides has garnered recognition, with Dr. Kotlarek herself being honored with the 2023 Emerging Leader Award from the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. Moreover, one of her graduate thesis students has received the prestigious 2023 Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship for Speech Pathology/Audiology Students, as well as the 2022 Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Since joining the University of Wyoming in August 2019, Dr. Kotlarek has established herself as a highly productive and independent investigator, emerging as a national leader in cleft-palate research. Her exceptional scholarly work, including her numerous publications and outstanding mentorship of students, serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication and remarkable abilities as a scholar. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Katelyn Kotlarek on receiving the 2023 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Scholar Award.
AN INTERVIEW WITH 2022 DIVISION OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA, MARISA YAGI
By Scott Robinson M.A., First year MS-SLP graduate studentIn October, I had the chance to meet and interview the 2022 Division of Communication Disorders Distinguished Alumna, Marisa Yagi. I learned a lot about Ms. Yagi’s journey, life-experiences, and the tremendous practice she has grown.
I see you have lived and worked in Egypt, Kenya, Cameroon, and Japan, tell me about your experiences moving from country to country and any international work you’ve done.
I remember enjoying it as a child moving from country to country every 3-4 years. Of course, the older I got the more tears I shed when moving. But I generally had a good feeling going to a new country and new schools. I think I learned how to adapt very quickly and be comfortable with sometimes being uncomfortable.
As a professional, I’ve been lucky to have had the opportunity to work internationally, mostly due to my older sister being an international school teacher in small communities that didn’t have speech therapy resources. I was able to get a lot of international experience early thanks to her connections.
I read that you created your company, Yagi Speech, to provide affordable and accessible in person and online speech therapy focused on the international multicultural, multilingual communities. What led you to start Yagi Speech?
When I moved to Japan to be with my boyfriend, now husband, I wanted to continue to work as an SLP. Having international connections, being
bilingual, and having worked for an online therapy company for a few months provided me the tools to work with anyone anywhere in the world.
What life experiences led you to the focus on international, multicultural clients?
The main life experience that led to me here is probably that I was privileged to be born surrounded by both English and Japanese and different cultures growing up. I think speaking another language is definitely helpful, but the most important skill in working with international and multicultural clients is the skill to be open, understanding, willing to learn, and accommodate clients with different backgrounds and needs.
the international and bilingual community. What are the unique needs of the international/bilingual communities and how does Yagi Speech meet those demands?
With all of the different policies and regulations in different countries, I think many clinicians are discouraged to work overseas. There are hurdles related to local laws, licensing, citizenship, and of course language. Also, many who do work overseas rely on person-to-person, private contracts, which many ordinary clients find it difficult to afford themselves. In Okinawa, I was able to set up a company that accepts all major U.S. health insurances for in-person speech therapy and ABA services, which had never been done before. This makes my international clients happy because many move every three to four years and appreciate the stability of a session style that is similar to what it is in the U.S.
What countries/states do you operate in?
My parent company, Yagi Speech, is registered in Wyoming – Go Cowboys! My clinic in Okinawa, Japan is registered there. I am currently going back and forth between Japan and Colorado, and because I hold ASHA and state licenses for Wyoming, Colorado, California, and Pennsylvania, I can see clients online from those states.
Tell me about the growth of Yagi Speech from general operations to types of services provided.
On the Yagi Speech website it describes the company’s vision as fulfilling unmet demand for accessible and affordable speech/ language services focused on
Yagi Speech was founded in 2020 and grew at the speed of light, mostly because of the unmet need that existed in Okinawa, but also the COVID crisis created or revealed the need for SLP
services. My goal is always to be able to provide speech therapy without a waitlist, which is currently the case. We currently have twelve employees, including both full-time and part-time.
Most of our clients are ages 2-5 with articulation, or expressive, receptive, pragmatic language delay. We have some clients diagnosed with ASD, global delay, and other disorders. We also serve a small number of adults with cognitive, voice, and swallowing disorders.
You also established a second company, ShisaCare, tell me more about that.
ShisaCare was initially created to accept Tricare, which is the big U.S. military insurance program. However, we now can accept anyone who wants or needs our services. When I initially started my company, I advertised on Facebook groups in Okinawa. After a few months I ran out of time to drive to each client’s house. It became quickly apparent that demand was significantly more than what I could supply at the time by myself. At this time, we have four full-time administrative staff including myself, four full-time SLPs, one part-time SLP, two full-time BCBAs, one part time BCBA, and 82 active clients. Most of the payment for our services comes from U.S.-based private insurance companies.
What is your vision for the future of Yagi Speech and ShisaCare?
Our next step is to expand our services to other parts of Japan in the next few years to provide in-person speech therapy. After that, since we are a global company, I see our role as further expansion to where there is urgent and unmet demand, wherever that may be. Also, while absolutely nothing can replace face-to-face, new technology will likely keep creating new and better possibilities for online services.
What was your most vivid experience in the University of Wyoming Speech and Hearing Clinic?
Having my supervisor give me feedback on the god-mic! I feel like I can still hear it about to come on when I am having sessions! The best moment I remember in the clinic is when I once really nailed a hearing screening. I was so nervous that I practiced over and over what I needed to say and do, and my supervisor gave me a pat on the back for doing a perfect job. That felt so good!
Do you have any specific memories of your professors or how their ideas shaped your future career?
Dr. Douglas Peterson really was an amazing professor who nurtured my experience at UW. He provided me with opportunities to work on projects in
Awards, Achievements & Acknowledgments
Promotions:
Breanna Krueger, Associate Professor
Corri Sandoval, Associate Clinical Professor
Japanese and took me on field trips. This made me want to work in the field and use my Japanese skills more. Dr. Roger Steeve provided me with so many useful tips and words of wisdom that helped lead me to my current career. Dr. Teresa Ukrainetz, who was the department head during my time at UW, expected the best from all of us, and her work ethic and passion inspired me to do the same.
You’ve now established the Yagi Multicultural Scholarship in Communications Disorders. What led you to establish this scholarship? I wanted to show my appreciation to the Communication Disorders department for all they did for me, including admitting me to their Masters program right out of undergraduate. I was waitlisted at first, but they gave me a chance. Everything I have now is because I went to UW and became an SLP. Also, because I noticed that during my time there, I was the only graduate student in our cohort with a multicultural background and one of only two that spoke a second language. UW has a wonderful department and the SLP is a terrific career choice, and I want more people with different backgrounds to consider this department and profession!
Scholarships:
Davydzenkia Viyaltea, Kathryn Sawyer, Kelsi Angelovich, Breanna Clark and Richelle Dietz received the Barbara Kahn Scholarship, a total of $8,500 was awarded.
Kylie Dray, Ava Smith, Erica Jones, Shiloh Sather, Erin Esty, Isavella Mijares, Blake Wilson, Laurel Holcomb, and Grace Villalobos received the College of Health Sciences Gordon S. & Charlott Myers Scholarships and Paul Stock Scholarships, a total of $16,000 was awarded.
Kyle Moore received the River Scholarship, a total of $1,700 was awarded.
Shiloh Sather received the Dr. Thom and Terry Flamboe Graduate Fellowship in Speech-Language Pathology Scholarship, a total of $1,000 was awarded.
Eva Chupity received the Yagi Scholarship, a total of $1,000 was awarded.
Morgan Schwindt and Mikayla Smith received the Steve Elliot Communication Disorders Scholarship, a total of $2,000 was awarded to these students. In addition $4,000 of the Steve Elliot Communication Disorders Scholarship will be awarded to high performing incoming freshmen.
Total University of Wyoming Scholarships Awarded: $34,200
Graduate Assistantships
The university funded 9 Graduate Assistantships for incoming 2023 graduate students, for approximately $21,671 (each) of support. The recipients are Isabella Mijares, Kimberly Quincy, Gabrielle Vincent, Erin Esty, Grace Villalobos, Kylie Dray, Morgan McKelvey, Amy Grant and Gabrielle Estavillo. One of these awards was funded by the Steve Elliot Communication Disorders Scholarship.
Total Number of Graduate Assistantship awards: Nine
College of Health Sciences Research Day and Research Committee awards
Top Student Podium Presentation Award
Alisa Therkildsen ($250)
Evy Loomis-Goltl ($100)
Faculty Research Grant
Katelyn Kotlarek ($2,500)
Other Faculty Distinctions
Student Travel Grant Katelan Rogers ($675)
Kyle Moore ($675)
Top Student Poster Presentation Award
Mikayla Smith ($100)
Other Student Awards/Distinctions
Sierra Levene, University of Washington School of Medicine WWAMI Medical Education (Mentor: Katelyn Kotlarek). Invited oral presentation at the 2023 Western Student and Resident Medical Research Forum
Samantha Power, Research MentoringPair Travel Award (mentee), American Speech-LanguageHearing Association, 2022
Samantha Power, Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship for Speech Pathology/Audiology Students, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, 2023
Samantha Power, Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award, University of Wyoming Graduate School of Graduate Education, 2023
Erika Jones, 2022 ASHA PROmoting the next GENeration of Researchers (PROGENY) participant
Breana Krueger, Assistant Professor, selected for American Speech-Language Hearing Association’s Lessons for Success
Mark Guiberson, Professor, selected for the Council on Academic Programs in Communication Disorders and Sciences’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Academy
Katelyn Kotlarek, Assistant Professor, Emerging Leader Award, American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association
Katelyn Kotlarek, Assistant Professor, Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Mentee: Samantha Power, BS)
Katelyn Kotlarek, Assistant Professor, Meritorious Poster Award, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention, New Orleans, LA
Donors: 22-23 (July–June FY23)
We’d like to thank and acknowledge donors for a very successful year!
Mikayla Smith, University of Wyoming Undergraduate Research Fellowship (2022-2023), Wyoming Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20GM103432). Poster presentation and 3rd place award at the 2023 University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences Research Day
Evy Loomis-Goltl, University of Wyoming Undergraduate Research Fellowship (Summer 2022), Wyoming Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2P20GM103432)
Jonathan Briggs, IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) undergraduate research assistantship, National Institute of General Medical Sciences (2P20GM103432)
Saly R. Sarvey, Nancy A. Harlan, Phillip W. Harlan, Katelyn J. Kotlarek, Breanna Krueger, Teresa J. Garcia, Mark
G. Garcia, Kristin A. Morrison, Mark M. Guiberson, Claoma T. Woodall, Simalee C. Smith-Stubblefield, William
R. Stubblefield, Mary A. Hardin-Jones, David L. Jones, Jonathan Cabrera, Zoe Kriegel, Dylan G. Perkins, Rhonda Dunlap, Robert T. Rimac, Frank Guiberson, Susan Guiberson, Vicki L. Bernard, Gregory T. Pratz, Sarah M. Dorr, Rainer Weeks, Barbara L. Hency, Kelly
E. Green, Rosa Rios, Amy K. Peterson, Michelle L. Hilaire, Kathleen Shanahan Peterson, Amy Peterson, Emily T. Peterson, Kathleen S. Peterson, Katherine Kelley, Nancy A. Gruver, Dick & Maggie Scarlett, Diana J. Seabeck, Rachel R. Sheffield, Jessica L. Epps, Gladys E. Larson, Michelle Phelps, Caron I. Mellblom-Nishioka, David J. Nishioka, Robert K. Donaho, Justin L. Stugart, Yagi Speech LLC, Marisa C. Yagi, Mary T. Schaub, Edward C. Schaub, Robert S. Seville, Diane M. Seville, Jessica L. Stugart; Paul and Judy Lerwick
Samantha (Sam) Power received the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award from University of Wyoming’s School of Graduate Education and Graduate Council in April 2023. This award recognizes one graduate student for an exemplary master’s thesis each year. Sam’s master’s thesis, which was defended in December 2022, is entitled, “Growth of the Craniofacial Complex in the First Two Years of Life.” Her thesis committee, chaired by Dr. Katelyn Kotlarek, included co-chair Dr. David Jones and outside member Dr. Annalisa Piccorelli. The purpose of Sam’s master’s thesis was to quantify changes in craniometric variables (dimensions of the head) due to growth, sex, and race during the first two years of life. This research provides much needed normative measures for various structures in infants and toddlers under age two, which is the basis for understanding the interaction between growth patterns of the craniofacial structures and speech production.
While this award was a tremendous honor for Sam and our Division as a whole, this is just one steppingstone along the path of excellence Sam has paved during her time at the University of Wyoming. Sam has been a member of the Speech Imaging Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Kotlarek for nearly 4 years. Sam’s undergraduate honors thesis “An Exploratory Investigation of the Palatoglossus Muscle in Children Using MRI” was published in the Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research last fall, which is arguably the top Tier 1 peer-reviewed journal in our field
Winner of the UW Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award: Samantha Power
and incontestably an incredible accomplishment for someone of her career stage. This past November, Sam was selected to present part of her master’s thesis at the 2022 American Speech-LanguageHearing Association (ASHA) Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was also selected to present her work at the 80th Annual Meeting of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) this month. In total, she presented 6 national and 3 regional research presentations.
Sam received two very prestigious awards directly related to her master’s thesis. In January 2023, she was awarded the Karlind T. Moller Cleft/Craniofacial Scholarship from the ACPA. This is a highly competitive professional scholarship for current graduate students in accredited speech-language pathology degree programs. In September 2022, she received the Research Mentor Pair Travel Award from ASHA, which fosters career development of graduate students who have expressed an interest in research careers in communication sciences and disorders. Sam has also received 5 major awards during her undergraduate studies, which cultivated her interest in research. Sam was awarded a competitive research fellowship through the Wyoming IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), which is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (P20 GM103432). Sam also received the Students Preparing for Academic-Research Careers award from ASHA in 2021. To date, Sam has received 7 major awards.
The Division of Communication Disorders is so proud of Sam and all she has accomplished in the past 4 years at the University of Wyoming. She will be graduating with her master’s degree in August 2023, and we are looking forward to cheering her on from afar, as she pursues her Ph.D. at East Carolina University beginning in Fall 2023.
UW Chapter of the National Student SpeechLanguage Hearing Association: Year in Review
Saddle Up Event: At the beginning of the year, UW saddle up hosted an involvement fest. NSSLHA had a table and generated interest in communication disorders and how students can connect with the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. We gave a “what is speech pathology” elevator pitch and included information from the Department of Communication Disorders. Overall it was a great way to meet incoming freshman and learn about potential members.
Football Cleanup fundraisers: Last September, NSSLHA assisted in cleaning up after a University Football Game. NSSLHA partnered with the University to get money for our fundraiser. NSSLHA members stay after the first football game of the semester to clean up trash around the field. This took them a few hours to complete. The University gave NSSLHA $600 for their time and assistance. This money was part of a donation to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic’s scholarship fund that aids clients in need of purchasing an AAC device or hearing aids.
Down Syndrome Awareness Day: This March NSSLHA celebrated Down Syndrome Awareness day. We all wore crazy colored and patterned socks because they represent Down syndrome in the ways they look like chromosomes. We were able to get the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center to change their lights to blue and yellow to represent Down syndrome as well. Down Syndrome Awareness day is on March 21st to represent the unique triplication on the 21st chromosome. We, as a group, enjoyed sharing our advocacy on Down Syndrome Awareness Day.
The Big Event: Last October, NSSLHA participated in the Big Event. This event is a Laramie-wide community service project. The NSSLHA chapter was divided into several groups and were placed at different sites throughout the Laramie community. At the sites, NSSLHA members helped community members with various tasks. One site was the First Baptist Church of Laramie. At the church, members helped with yardwork, painting, and winterizing gardening equipment.
Candy Gram fundraiser (Halloween and Valentine’s Day): In October and February, NSSLHA sold Candy Grams for Halloween and Valentine’s Day, respectively. The Candy Grams could be purchased prior to and during the tabling sessions in the Union. All of the proceeds from sales of the Candy Grams were added to the scholarship fund that NSSLHA will donate to the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic.
Day: On Oct. 18, 2022, NSSLHA dressed up in purple and changed the gateway sign to the color purple to represent Developmental Language Disorder Day. We used the color purple to spread awareness of the individuals who have a difficult time understanding language and speaking. We hoped to spread awareness and start a conversation that will last for years to come.
Developmental Language Disorder
We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, our generous alumni and friends, for your continued support of the University of Wyoming Division of Communication Disorders. Your gifts help to reinforce the lasting presence of scholarship, research and endowment. Our faculty, staff and most importantly, our students, thank you!
WONDERING HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR GIFT OF SUPPORT GO DIRECTLY TO YOUR SPECIFIC AREA OF INTEREST?
IF YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE TO THE STEVE ELLIOTT COMMUNICATION DISORDERS SCHOLARSHIP, VISIT
