Speech Pathology Master’s Student Receives A $5,000 Scholarship
“Everything speech-language pathology fascinates me, and if I can help people toward their communication and/or swallowing goals, that will indeed be a fulfilling way to live my life.”
That passion for her future career helped Nazareth College speech-language pathology master’s student Jennifer Fortin of Victor, N.Y., earn a $5,000 American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation Graduate Student Scholarship. It was presented during the 2018 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention, held November 15-17 in Boston, Massachusetts.
The graduate student scholarship program supports master’s and doctoral students in the communication sciences and disorders discipline who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
As a non-traditional student whose background includes various experiences including service in the Peace Corps, completion of a master’s degree in creative writing, and work in the non-profit sector and communications, Fortin feels beyond fortunate to have found what it is she’s clearly meant to do. “My passion is to contribute to the field of speech-language pathology by providing services and getting involved in research,” said Fortin, who is originally from Maryland. “I am doubly fortunate to have received this honor from ASHA. In my view, ASHA’s endorsement of someone like me who has traveled a non-traditional path signals the organization’s commendable open-mindedness and celebratory attitude toward diversity.”
Fortin is grateful for the scholarship, which validates her decision to return to school for a career switch and helps alleviate the financial piece of the undertaking. After graduation in summer 2019, she plans to stay in the area and work with adults with neurogenic communication/swallowing disorders, and continue research in some capacity.
The ASHFoundation is a charitable organization that promotes a better quality of life for children and adults with communication disorders. The ASHFoundation is affiliated with ASHA and is part of the Association’s annual Convention ─ the most comprehensive development conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation)
The ASHFoundation supports innovators and sparks innovation in the communication sciences. We provide resources for promising researchers, students, and professionals exploring bold ideas and forward-thinking solutions to improve the lives of people with hearing, speech, language, and swallowing disorders. The ASHFoundation raises funds from individuals, corporations, and organizations to invest in ingenuity and empower innovators to chart new paths. We achieve this through research grants, scholarships, clinical achievement awards, and special programs.
About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 198,000 members and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology support personnel; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems, including swallowing disorders.
For More Information
Julie Long | Chief PR Officer | (585) 389-2456 | jlong2@naz.edu
Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.
Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.
Fortin earns national scholarship that helps her follow her career passion in a new career field.