communication disorders

featured alumni

INTERVIEW WITH ESTHER HUANG

CLASS OF 2005

CD: What have you been up to since you graduated from Biola?

EH: Since graduating from Biola University, I have taken a semester off to work, gone on a missions trip, and started my graduate program at Northwestern University. I worked at Morningside Children’s Center, a preschool in Fullerton, CA as their office secretary! On the side, I continued the private tutoring I started while I was in college. Before I began my graduate program, I went on a missions trip to Cape

Town South Africa. There we were able to work with children from all different backgrounds: children from the church youth groups, runaway children living on the street, and orphan children affected by HIV/AIDS. Needless to say it was an incredibly blessing and growing experience that planted a deep passion in my heart for the continent of Africa. Since returning from Cape Town, I moved back to Chicago, IL, my original hometown and began my MA in Speech Language Pathology at Northwestern University. It has been challenging and difficult to transition to a new school, but I am prepared to take on the experiences that lie before me.

CD: How did Biola prepare you for life in general and particularly for graduate school?

EH: I feel so fortunate to have attended a university like Biola. The strong Christian foundation that Biola has given me has allowed me to stay firm in my faith even when I am no longer surrounded my Christian students and professors. I especially appreciate the biblical knowledge that I have been equipped with and the emphasis that was placed on worshipping God with my mind at Biola. I have been able to transfer my integrity in academics to my graduate program and find joy in the fact that I can worship God through my studies.

CD: What do you feel are the greatest strengths of the Communication Disorders program?

EH: A major strength for the CD program is the clinical experience that is offered. Most undergraduate students are not offered that opportunity and when you begin graduate school, your previous clinical experience gives you a great advantage in the program. But besides that, which can stand alone, the professors in our program are exceptional. They not only nurture and prepare you academically for the future, they teach in a holistic manner, truly encouraging you in every aspect of life. Also, the biblical foundation of the program makes a tremendous difference in a major that deals heavily with disorders.

CD: Did you feel prepared for graduate school? What specific ways were you prepared?

EH: I do feel prepared for graduate school, but I have a tendency to worry a lot about something before I have even tried it out. Specifically, like I have mentioned, the undergraduate clinical experience is extremely valuable. It is run very smoothly and the supervisors really provide feedback that helps hone your clinical skills. Also, I have found that many of the classes I took at Biola as an undergrad have overlapped with the graduate courses I am now taking (e.g. concepts, textbooks, etc.)

CD: What was your experience with integration of faith and learning and how did Biola and the Communication Disorders program influence the development of your Christian worldview?

EH: The strong Christian values that pervade the program and studies not only firmly developed my knowledge in Christianity but also gave me insight into our field of work. As professionals in the CD field, we encounter people everyday that are hurting and dealing with the fact that they, or someone they love has this difficulty in their life, and it gives us a unique opportunity to encourage and support them. Our ability to understand pain and suffering in light of the hope we have in Jesus Christ is radically different then what the world has to offer. Biola has played a large role in shaping my Christian worldview and my professors in CD have given me numerous examples of faith integration.

CD: What would you say to someone thinking about coming to Biola to study Communication Disorders?

EH: “YAY! DO IT!” You could not find a better undergraduate program in a Christian setting! Be prepared for some challenging but rewarding classes and experiences and consider yourself privileged to be part of such a strong program. Biola’s CD program does a tremendous job of giving students the most advantages in their future as CD professionals.

Esther Huang after being inducted into Epsilon Kappa Epsilon, Biola’s honor’s society. Matt Rouse and Yvana Hernandez, Esther’s CD professors, are also pictured.

INTERVIEW WITH TERI HOPPER

CLASS OF 2003

CD: What have you been up to since you graduated from Biola?

TH: I graduated in 2003 from Biola’s Communication Disorders program. Initially I chose the Communication Disorders program because I wanted to go to a Christian school and learn to work with autistic kids. While in the program I fell in love with the neurological side of speech therapy and turned my interest to working in a hospital setting. I attended University of Redlands to complete Master’s degree in

2005. I completed my internship at Long Beach Memorial Hospital (LBMMC) while I was a student at Redlands, and then came back to the hospital to do my Clinical Fellowship Year (CFY) after graduating. I completed my CFY in April and I am currently still working at LBMMC with adults doing dysphagia and speech therapy in acute, acute rehab and outpatient settings. I became involved with the California Speech Hearing Association (CSHA) as the student representative for southern California 2004-2006.

CD: How did Biola prepare you for life in general and particularly for graduate school?

TH: My four years at Biola were a very significant time in my life. I learned a more solid foundation for my faith, and learned how to live in authentic community with others. My experience at Biola taught me how to work well with others, and how to care for the whole person when I am treating patients.

CD: What do you feel are the greatest strengths of the Communication Disorders program?

TH: I felt very well taken care of in Biola’s Communication Disorders program. It was small, personal, and the students collaborated rather than being competitive with one another. I gained a strong foundation through my experience working in the clinic. My professors knew me as a person, cared about me and were flexible with my individual needs.

CD: Did you feel prepared for graduate school? What specific ways were you prepared?

TH: YES!!! The other students I went to grad school with were studying some areas for the first time (such as neurogenic speech disorders). My classes at Biola had covered those areas well and I didn’t have to struggle through those classes like the other students did. Also, the fact that Biola has clinic experience available for undergrads is very unique; most students don’t get that experience at all until grad school.

CD: What was your experience with integration of faith and learning and how did Biola and the Communication Disorders program influence the development of your Christian worldview?

TH: Biola taught me that all truth is God’s truth, and all things are spiritual things. I learned that my faith should not be put in a box to be pulled out for quiet times or on Sundays but integrated into everything that we do, and all interactions with people. Biola taught me that it was ok to ask tough questions about my faith. I remember a Communication Disorders class my freshman year at Biola where we read CS Lewis’s The Problem of Pain and talked about why there is suffering in the world. I see painful things in my job everyday and still remember that class and those discussions that help me reconcile it all with what I believe.

CD: What would you say to someone thinking about coming to Biola to study Communication Disorders?

TH: Experiencing Biola will change your life. You can’t find a better undergrad program than the one at Biola. It is worth the investment!

communication disorders

INTERVIEW WITH KATI LEICHT

CLASS OF 2005

CD: What have you been up to since you graduated from Biola?

KL: Since graduating from Biola in December 2005, I have been attending the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. I am currently apart of the Intercampus Speech-Language and Hearing program between the University’s campus in Lawrence and the University Hospital in Kansas City. I will be graduating with a Masters in Speech Language-Pathology in May, 2007.

CD: How did Biola prepare you for life in general and particularly for graduate school?

KL: Being surrounded by Christian professors and college students for 3 ½ years helped shape and mold me into a better person, a better Christian. The experience of worshiping with other students during chapel, attending bible studies, living and functioning in a Christian environment all helped me become aware that even once I leave Biola, I am not alone. Knowing that there are always other Christians who care about me and will pray for me helped me to be excited (but yet, still a little scared) about stepping out and heading to graduate school. I will not lie and say that attending The University of Kansas hasn’t been a “culture shock” in more ways than one but I can honestly say that with my schooling at Biola and the Biblical basis I obtained during my time there, I am able to stand strong in Christ in the midst of KU, knowing what I believe and why I believe it!

CD: What do you feel are the greatest strengths of the Communication Disorders program?

KL: I cannot say enough about the strengths of the Communication Disorders program! First off, the faculty is superb. Professor Matt Rouse was not only an engaging and knowledgeable professor but he was also an academic advisor, clinical supervisor, mentor and friend. The guidance and education I received from Matt in my 3 ½ years as Biola was invaluable. Professor Yvanna Hernandez was a wonderful addition to the CDS program. Yvanna’s knowledge regarding the younger population and schools helped open my eyes to a side of our field that I had not been exposed to prior to her arrival. Second, the curriculum of the CDS program at Biola is set at a high standard that Graduate Schools appreciate. After leaving Biola, I discovered I was exposed to multiple areas and knowledge within our field that my fellow classmates had not even touched on in their undergraduate program! Third, the program is growing fast at Biola but it is still small enough to where I was able to have fellowship with and become friends with my professors and classmates. I feel that the friendships I obtained through the program are priceless!

CD: Did you feel prepared for graduate school? What specific ways were you prepared?

KL: At times I wondered if Biola’s CDS program would be comprable with KU’s larger program. Little did I know that Biola’s curriculum far exceeded KU’s Speech-Language and Hearing standards. After KU faculty members reviewed my syllabi from Biola’s CDS program, they informed me I was able to opt-out of 5 graduate classes! Being able to participate in Biola’s undergraduate clinic prepared me more that I thought it ever would have. Not many undergraduate programs have clinical opportunities. It was wonderful stepping into graduate school having had some clinical hours under my belt as well as the experience of being a clinician. The CDS at Biola prepared me both clinically and academically to enter mid-semester at KU’s program.

CD: What was your experience with integration of faith and learning and how did Biola and the Communication Disorders program influence the development of your Christian worldview?

KL: In this field, we work with people everyday; people who are seeking out help for one reason or another. Being able to attend Biola’s CDS program helped me realize that through this field, I have the chance to minister everyday, every time I sit in a therapy room with a client. Being able to set the example of Christ in a very secular world was always a focus of Biola’s CDS program. Currently, I am attending the most liberal school in the state of Kansas and having been schooled with a Biblical foundation, I feel that each time I step into my classrooms and therapy rooms, I am prepared, as a warrior of God, ready to set the example, encourage, and pray for my clients.

CD: What would you say to someone thinking about coming to Biola to study Communication Disorders?

KL: The Communication Disorder Program at Biola is a well developed program that prepares you for the tasks to come in graduate school. The program will equip you with everything you need to know academically as well as combining the spirit of ministry within the field of Speech Language-Pathology.