News

SLHS Newsletter - Winter 2026

Brenda Baker — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:16:40 +0000

SLHS Newsletter - Winter 2026 Brenda Baker Tue, 03/03/2026 - 16:16

Winter 2026 Newsletter

Off

Traditional

White

Radiolab Podcast with Dr. Allison Hilger

Brenda Baker — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:38:17 +0000

Radiolab Podcast with Dr. Allison Hilger Brenda Baker Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:38

In this recent Radiolab episode, Song of the Cerebellum, journalist Rachel Gross reflects on the impact of a cerebellar stroke and its profound effects on speech and singing, featuring insights from CU’s Dr. Allison Hilger and leading neurologists. The episode offers an accessible and compelling look at the cerebellum’s non-motor roles, helping broaden understanding of these often overlooked conditions.

Off

Traditional

White

ASL Minor Announced

Brenda Baker — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 18:42:00 +0000

ASL Minor Announced Brenda Baker Fri, 01/30/2026 - 11:42

We will be offering an ASL Minor starting in Fall 2026!

Off

Traditional

White

SLHS Newsletter - Fall 2025

Brenda Baker — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:19:20 +0000

SLHS Newsletter - Fall 2025 Brenda Baker Thu, 11/06/2025 - 11:19

Fall 2025 Newsletter

This fall has been full of momentum in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. Students and faculty shared their work at national conferences, led community events, partnered in research, and earned new recognitions. We’re also making meaningful updates to our building and programs—from enhanced security and accessibility to new wellness resources and a major website refresh.

Off

Traditional

White

Spotlight on Recent SLHS Graduate: Maria Castillo’s Trailblazing Clinical Career Goals for Expanding Speech-Language Pathology in Guatemala

Abi Peters — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 20:52:38 +0000

Spotlight on Recent SLHS Graduate: Maria Castillo’s Trailblazing Clinical Career Goals for Expanding Speech-Language Pathology in Guatemala Abi Peters Sun, 10/12/2025 - 14:52

Maria Castillo

We are excited to spotlight a 2024-2025 graduate of SLHS, Maria Castillo, who is studying to become a speech-language pathologist. Born and raised in Guatemala, she came to CU ��ý�� to pursue a degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences given that there are limited opportunities to study speech-language pathology in Guatemala. The field of speech-language pathology is a growing but small field in Guatemala. So how did Maria come to know about the field in Guatemala? Maria’s younger sister, Valeria (now 21), was born with an unknown congenital condition. Determined to find a diagnosis and services for Valeria, the family moved to Houston, Texas when Maria was just 4 years old. While there, Valeria received occupational, physical and speech therapy. However, Valeria’s congenital condition remained undiagnosed. During this period, Valeria made several strides and even learned how to walk; however, she has never learned how to talk. Seven years later, Maria and her family moved back to Guatemala where her mother felt inspired to develop a program to help Valeria and other children like her. Centro Therapia Infatil en Guatemala was founded to provide physical, occupational, and speech therapy for children with disabilities in Guatemala.

Maria Castillo with her sister, Valeria,

Valeria is not only Maria’s little sister but her inspiration. With a total word vocabulary of 20 words, Maria hopes that she can one day have a conversation with her sister, regardless of how brief it may be, either verbally or with an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device. “I just want to hear her say ‘I love you’ either verbally or through AAC assisted speech,” says Maria.

Despite the challenges that her family and parents have faced in finding treatment programs for Valeria, her parents have managed to stand by each other for 25 years. Maria admires her parents for their strength, given the challenges that parents of children with special needs face. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Maria has taken a gap year before continuing to graduate school in the United States to obtain a master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Maria currently works as a patient services coordinator at the Voz Institute in Washington, DC. After her master’s degree, Maria plans to return to Guatemala to take over her mother’s clinic. Her goal is to expand the clinic and open various therapy centers around Guatemala to provide much-needed services to children. She hopes to make these services affordable so that barriers to accessing these services are lower. Overall, Maria is a trailblazer for the field of speech-language pathology in Guatemala. Because of her and her family’s work, access to needed therapies is going to be drastically improved for children with disabilities in Guatemala.

Off

Traditional

White

SLHS Newsletter - Summer 2025

Brenda Baker — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 23:47:51 +0000

SLHS Newsletter - Summer 2025 Brenda Baker Fri, 09/12/2025 - 17:47

Click on front page of newsletter to open/download the full newsletter.

This summer in SLHS was full of energy, from welcoming new staff and graduate students to celebrating the CLC’s 50th anniversary. Our faculty, students, and alumni made an impact through research, publications, and community service, while also earning awards, grants, and scholarships. As we step into fall, we’re excited to carry this momentum forward in teaching, research, and service.

Off

Traditional

White

Tanvir Kalam recognized at ASHA Conference in Boston

Anonymous — Fri, 01 Dec 2023 23:06:17 +0000

Tanvir Kalam recognized at ASHA Conference in Boston Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 12/01/2023 - 16:06

Tanvir Kalam, a second year MA-SLP student, was one of the Minority Student Leadership Program's (MSLP) award recipients at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Tanvir Kalam, a second year MA-SLP student, was one of the Minority Student Leadership Program's (MSLP) award recipients at the American Speech-Language-Hearing AssociationConference in Boston, MA. The MSLP is a leadership development program whose purpose is to provide focused educational programming and activities to build and enhance leadership skills to minorities that have been historically under-represented in the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology. Additionally, the program aims to provide an opportunity for program participants to interact with leaders in the profession of audiology and speech-language pathology.

When asked what the MSLP taught him Tanvir states that "It taught me about the pivotal role of advocacy and policy-implementation in healthcare. It was also a great networking event where I met professionals from all across the nation. I have the privilege of attending discussion where leaders in the field tackled some of the most pressing issues facing the profession". Regarding how this experience will help Tanvir in his provisional career, he states "attending the MSLP will help in my professional career because of the networking it provides".

Off

Traditional

White

SLHS Diversity Committee Presents: Bilinguals, Silent Period, & Selective Mutism

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 17:31:03 +0000

SLHS Diversity Committee Presents: Bilinguals, Silent Period, & Selective Mutism Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 11/03/2023 - 11:31

The SLHS Diversity Committee invites you to a workshop by Molly Fillippni: Bilinguals, Silent Period, & Selective Mutism.

Time: November 29, 2023 9:05-10:30 AM
Location: SLHS Building Room 230

Off

Traditional

White

Laura Howard - Worth Hearing Center

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Feb 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Laura Howard - Worth Hearing Center Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 02/18/2023 - 00:00

Where are you placed this year?

I am currently placed at Worth Hearing Center, which is a private practice in Albuquerque, NM. I love it here!

Describe your "typical" day (or lack of "typical" day)

A typical day for me means a variety of things. I do hearing evaluations for people scheduled to see ENT, hearing aid appointments (consultations, fittings, adjustments, problems, clean and checks, etc.), cerumen removal (my new favorite thing!), and I've recently started doing more VNG appointments a few days per week.

What's something important that you've learned at your placement so far?

Something that I've learned in my externship so far is that while being knowledgeable about hearing aids and being able to answer questions that patients have is important, being able to connect with your patients have is important, being able to connect with your patients have is important, being able to connect with your patients on a personal level is really what makes the differences. Also, if you don't know the answer to a question- it's okay! Patients really appreciate transparency, especially when their clinician is a student. Your time in the AuD program goes by incredibly fast, including the externship year, so soak up everything that you can and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Feel Free to contact me anytime about anything - I'm always happy to chat!
Email: laura.howard@colorado.edu

Laura Howard is a 4th Year AuD student currently doing her externship at Worth Hearing Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Off

Traditional

White

Emily Lee - Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affair (VA) Medical Center

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 18:22:50 +0000

Emily Lee - Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affair (VA) Medical Center Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 02/16/2023 - 11:22

Where are you placed this year?

I am placed at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Describe your "typical" day (or lack of "typical" day)

I rotate through 3 different VA locations in the Los Angeles area. My typical day beings at 7am- I come in to prepare for my patient load that day until I see my first patient at 7:30am. I start my mornings with audiologic evaluations which are scheduled for 1-hour each (so nice!). The VA has a pretty thorough testing protocol for new patients (otoscopy, tymps,diagnostic reflexes, pure tones air and bone, tone decay or reflex decay, speech SRT & WRS, speech in noise testing (WIN or QuickSIN), performing the HHIE, then ordering hearing aids and taking earmold impressions if warranted). I also do hearing aid or BAHA fittings in the mornings. My Tuesday afternoons include vestibular evaluations, Thursday afternoons I'm leading a group Progressive Tinnitus Management (PTM) class virtually , and Friday afternoons I do Central Auditory Processing evaluations (CAPD). My day everyday finished up at 3:30pm.

What's something important that you've learned at your placement so far?

I've learned a great deal about counseling at my placement. I have such a heart for counseling and I did not realize how much room I had to grow and improve my counseling skills until I saw some of my preceptors with our veterans, they're truly amazing. I'm learning how to see patients through a more person-centered lens, modifying everything from the appointment to how I communicate and compose myself based on what the veteran or their families show me that they need. I'm beginning to learn how to steer away from "checking off" MY list of what I need to complete during the appointment to really studying the veteran, learning their learning style and learning barriers, and thinking to myself throughout the appointment what is most important to them and how can I follow up to ensure they receive the quality of service necessary to be successful or have improved quality of life through the management of their hearing loss journey.

Emily Lee is currently a 4th Year AuD student currently doing her externship at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center.

Off

Traditional

White