The goal of the event is to foster dialogue; the mini-conference served as a platform for sharing ideas and strengthening connections across all levels of the program. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of research while building relationships with peers in their field.

Among the attendees was SCSD undergraduate program coordinator and NSSLHA faculty advisor Dr. Kimberlee Crass, who emphasized the impact of the event.

“What stood out most was the strong sense of collaboration, not only between faculty and students, but also across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels,” Dr. Crass said. “It was exciting to see students at different stages of their academic journeys working together, supporting one another, and contributing meaningfully to shared research efforts.”

She also explained how the event aligned with NSSLHA’s mission of promoting student engagement and professional development, noting that the environment encouraged mentorship and shared learning experiences.

“The event really embodied the mission of the NSSLHA by creating a space where students could actively engage in scholarly work and professional dialogue,” Dr. Crass said. “Students were not only presenting their research, but also developing skills in communication, critical thinking, and collaboration.”

She noted that the overall quality and professionalism of the projects were particularly impressive. She believes that each presentation reflected a strong commitment to research and demonstrated the effort put forth by participants across the board. Looking ahead, Dr. Crass believes the mini-conference will continue to influence the SCSD community by encouraging future collaboration.

“By bringing students and faculty from different levels, it encourages ongoing mentorship and opens the door for new research partnerships,” Dr. Crass said. “Events like this help build connections early on, which can lead to more interdisciplinary and collaborative projects in the future.”

When evaluating the overall value of the conference, she believes that it’s key to building a sense of community within the program.

“Events like the Research Rounds Mini-Conference highlight not only the academic strengths of our students and faculty, but also the collaborative spirit that makes our program so special,” Dr. Crass said. “It’s inspiring to see everyone come together to share ideas, support one another, and celebrate the work being done across all levels.”

Led by Professors in the School of Communication Science and Disorders, Drs. Kristen Guynes and Casey Guynes, the program equips families with the skills to communicate effectively with their DHH children from the very start. The inspiration behind the series stems from a critical need to ensure that DHH children have early and meaningful access to language.

The inspiration behind the series stems from a critical need to ensure that DHH children have early and meaningful access to language.

“Within mainstream society, there is a widespread misconception that the utilization of sign language could hinder a Deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) child’s ability to maximize their spoken language skills. The underlying notion is that learning to listen, through hearing technology, and speak is such a challenging task for a Deaf child that they will inherently take to visual language more easily. Given what we know about language development and bilingualism, that is exactly what we do want—for every child to have uninhibited access to at least one naturally developing native language (whether it be spoken or signed),” Guynes said.

Research shows that over 95% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents, many of whom are unfamiliar with American Sign Language (ASL). Often, families are encouraged to prioritize spoken language first, instead of exposing themselves to ASL. This delay can have negative long-term effects in the future.

“Sadly, it is often not until those optimal spoken language outcomes are not realized that families begin to consider sign language for their Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. This phenomenon of language deprivation leads to so many DHH children entering school with such a significant language gap that it can be almost impossible to catch up,” Guynes said.

This ASL series was designed to address this gap early, which gave families the tools they needed to communicate effectively from the start.

“Essentially, if a child is going to, or even potentially, utilize sign language, the earlier they are exposed to it and the more language models they have, the stronger foundation they will have for native proficiency,” Guynes emphasized.

The program is supported by a dedicated team of student leaders who play a vital role in its success. ASL class sessions are led by Ananda Eaton, an FSU graduate and current Ph.D. student; Brianna Donaldson, an FSU graduate; and FSU undergraduate students Faith Collins, Hope Garrett, and Alexia Lambert. Their leadership helps guide families through the learning process and creates an engaging and supportive classroom environment.

In addition, FSU undergraduate students Grace LeCroy, Keira Eckhardt, Jackie Tinoco, and Rachel Stramanino organize and lead children’s activities during the sessions. These activities provide a safe and engaging space for Deaf and hard-of-hearing children—and their siblings—allowing parents to fully participate in the ASL classes without the need for additional childcare.

For many families, learning ASL has become a shared journey. Parents and children grow together in their communication skills, building stronger relationships along the way.

“When parents decide they are ready to embark on the journey of using visual language with their DHH children, they are often learning it right alongside them,” Guynes said.

Even if parents are non-native signers, when children have consistent exposure at home and interactions with signers, this can support children in developing the native-level skills they need.

Moments throughout the series have reinforced how meaningful this initiative is. Seeing families begin signing early is encouraging, and research shows that ASL not only does not hinder spoken language development but can actually support and improve it.

Beyond language, the program fosters a sense of community. The class series creates a space where both children and parents can connect with others who understand their journey. For DHH children, exposure to peers for social skill development are critical. Parents also have the chance to connect with other parents for a source of support.

Looking ahead, the long-term vision for this program is to continue impacting people through access and engagement.

“As the DHH/ASL Outreach Program has evolved, we now offer a regular rotation of classes and programs, with a sign language session being scheduled for every Fall and Spring semester moving forward. We also offer language and literacy groups, social events, and community workshops on a regular basis,” Guynes said.

This initiative has been a rewarding experience for Drs. Kristen Guynes and Casey Guynes, and they expressed how playing a part in many families’ journeys and bringing members of the Deaf community was an honor.

Ultimately, the “Family and Friends ASL Class” series represents more than education, but it represents empowerment. By providing the tools to families to effectively communicate, it helps ensure that DHH children grow up with access to language, community, and connection.

Gegovski and Figueras delivered otoscopy, otoacoustic emissions testing, and tympanometry tests, among other assessments, under the supervision of a licensed audiologist.

Gegovski reflected, “Hearing health is more than just assessing someone’s hearing abilities; it’s about ensuring everyone has the ability to communicate and fully participate in their daily activities and hobbies. This experience helped deepen my understanding of how providing hearing care to underserved populations is crucial.”

The volunteer experience deepened their understanding of accommodation. Beyond audio testing, one-on-one interactions with patients provided a better understanding of each individual’s particular circumstances and needs.

“Small changes like explaining every step and speaking in a calm manner help make the patient comfortable,” said Gegovski. “This reinforces how important communicating and attending to a person’s needs, whether a patient or any human being, is.”

“Knowing I impacted the lives of so many people by serving the community at this volunteer event was very rewarding,” said Figueras.

The Special Olympics Healthy Hearing event served as a strong reminder to Gegovski and Figueras about why they chose the field of audiology. FSU’s partnership with SOHH will continue to provide upcoming audiology students with clinical experiences combining skill and empathy, making a lasting impact on their community.

“Our ‘So Long, Summer!’ September event at Wakulla Springs was our kick-off event for this school year! In addition to families getting to connect for swimming, snacks, and end-of-summer fun, our students facilitated activities to promote language development, particularly specialized signs with a ‘back to school’ theme,” said DHH/ASL Coordinator and FSU Teaching Faculty Kristen Guynes.

This Fall semester, Kristen Guynes, alongside fellow DHH/ASL Coordinator Casey Guynes, prioritized hosting monthly community bonding events for families with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children to connect with each other, speech professionals, and others in the Deaf population. Kristen and Casey both emphasized the significance of bringing together these families and offering support and guidance since, oftentimes, the first Deaf person these hearing parents have ever met is their child.

“With deafness being considered statistically ‘low-incidence,’ it is not uncommon for children and their families to have very limited access to each other unless it is specifically facilitated,” Kristen said.

From an academic perspective, the students who attended this gathering gained hands-on experience working with Deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families, contributing to the growth of speech and language professionals who can provide specialized services for the Deaf community. Students who volunteered at this gathering included undergraduate and graduate students from various fields, including communication science and disorders, music therapy, psychology, and pre-medical studies.

“We provide direct academic and language support for families who otherwise have limited access to specialized DHH services in this area, particularly through the incorporation of American Sign Language,” said Kristen.

Later this fall semester, the DHH/ASL Educational Outreach Program will also be hosting a day at Aunt Louise’s Farm, a Fall Festival at FSU, and a trip to Tallahassee’s Winter Fest with Tree Lighting in December.

“There is a need in the Spanish-speaking community for accessible, affirming resources about stuttering,” Bernabe said. “All the events I organize are translated and offered either for free or at a very low cost to ensure accessibility.”

As a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and Director of Centro Especializado en Tartamudez (a specialized center for stuttering) Bernabe is known for her work in stuttering.

“The goal isn’t to force someone to fit into a mold defined by societal expectations, but rather to empower them. We want individuals who stutter to feel confident in using their voices, not silenced by fear or shame,” Bernabe said.

Bernabe is from Peru, having this firsthand insight on Hispanic culture and how it feels to be a person who stutters in this community. With most information on stuttering being in English, there is disconnect from getting the proper information to a diverse audience that needs it.

“Learning English in developing countries is not an option for many, and some sources suggest that only about 5% of South Americans speak English to any degree. It’s so important to offer resources in Spanish,” Bernabe said.

A primary goal of Bernabe’s work is to make sure that Hispanic SLPs have the proper resources to research and therapy approaches in Spanish. This workshop serves as a catalyst for bringing stuttering therapy to other countries who have these needs.

“I am proud to be part of this mission and thankful to work with professionals like Dr. Constantino who care about supporting diverse communities. We had almost 100 participants from over 13 countries, which shows that many people are interested and eager to learn,” Bernabe said.

“This past summer, we’ve been getting everything together to run this pilot project,” said Nimmons. “It has been really, really exciting and very invigorating.”

Aphasia, an acquired language disorder due to brain injury or stroke, affects a person’s ability to speak, understand, read, and write, making ongoing therapy often necessary to regain these skills.

“To really help people recover communication best after stroke, it needs to be done in this very intensive format,” Madden said. The six-week program provided speech and language assessments before and after the program and included four weeks of individual and group therapy at the FSU Speech & Hearing Clinic. Different types of evidence-based aphasia therapy were provided by supervised graduate student clinicians. Additionally, music therapy, art therapy, yoga therapy, and pet therapy was provided by related health professionals at FSU or TMH.  Analysis of post-ICAP interview responses are being analyzed by SCSD Assistant Professor Erin Bush to understand participants’ perspectives and gain valuable insight for future iterations of ICAP.

“ICAP doesn’t just focus on the person’s ability to talk and read and write,” said Madden. “Part of the comprehensive component of this program is working on psychosocial well-being…that social connection.” Through their backgrounds as speech-language pathologists, both Madden and Nimmons have worked extensively with individuals who have aphasia and hope that ICAP will increase aphasia awareness and expand interprofessional care for individuals living with aphasia.

“We can say that on post-testing, all of our participants had changes. Positive changes,” said Nimmons.

The ICAP program is intended to become a yearly event. Through further collaborations with FSU faculty and staff members, such as this year’s collaboration with Suzanne Smith at FSU’s Opening Minds Through Art, and other aphasia intensives at different universities, the network will continue to grow as different professionals join, making ICAP a hub for supporting stroke survivors with aphasia and their family members in the greater Tallahassee community, as well as providing unique clinical training for FSU students.

Learn more about Opening Minds Through Arts on their website! https://claudepeppercenter.fsu.edu/opening-minds-through-art/

Snowden, who also serves as the Director of Audiology Services at the FSU Speech and Hearing Clinic, describes how the AAA conference has allowed her to “stay up to date on the latest research in audiology, including new techniques, treatments, and technological innovations…I am able to explore new ways to get involved in shaping the future of audiology through local and national advocacy.”

For the students, the AAA + HearTech Expo was a chance to learn about graduate programs in communication science and disorders and gain a first-hand look into the programs cultures and what they should expect from graduate school.

Students also had opportunities to connect with professionals in the field. Hannah Figueras, an SCSD student, describes how it was “an opportunity to network with audiologists and graduate students, and exposure to different hearing aid technologies.” Fellow student Eva Gegovski stated, “I was able to learn so much through research panels, clinician experiences, and different hearing technology. This deepened my understanding of the advancements in audiology that continue to progress. As a student that aspires to be a clinician, it is essential to understand how the field will develop, especially with the use of AI.”

“I hope this conference further ignites their passion for hearing healthcare and continues to be a valuable resource to them in the future. It is my hope that witnessing the passion of others in the field and the impact audiology has on people’s lives inspires them for their future,” Snowden said.

service trip. Led by Dr. Selena Snowden, their initiative targets outreach and training for future professionals by providing hearing services to the community abroad.

During the trip, the audiology team contributed over 140 hours of training and service, providing hearing healthcare to 214 patients, including 62 returning individuals. They fit 174 hearing aids, performed ear cleanings, and fit a bone-anchored hearing aid. 

This year, SCSD received substantial funding from donors including the Florida State University (FSU) Foundation Board of Trustees, which expanded opportunities for students and patients alike. Dr. Selena Snowden, founder of the Guatemala Hears trip and director of audiology services at FSU, said, “With such a need for audiologic services in this area of Guatemala, I am extremely grateful for this year’s funding. The students work very hard to fund their trips, and I’ve seen first-hand how thankful they are for the scholarships they’ve received toward this year’s expenses. Thank you!”

She further emphasized how this initiative is a team effort made possible by donors, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends, ensuring both improved patient outcomes and invaluable training for students. 

Senior Grace English also expressed gratitude to the FSU Foundation Board of Trustees for their support, especially toward the funding for the audiometer. “The trip to Guatemala was so eye-opening to populations who need audiological care. It was so impactful to give back to those and how grateful and patient they were for us,” she said. “It was my very first time testing bone-conduction on a live patient, and it helped me connect what was talked about in class with hands-on learning.”

“My highlight of the week was when I fit the cutest little girl with a pair of devices. She came into the clinic very quiet and sheltered. After she was given the devices and was fit, she could not stop laughing or smiling the whole time I saw her,” FSU alumna and current University of Florida graduate student Katie McGrane shared. 

“I was inspired and educated throughout the week and returned to the States with a fresh outlook and new perspective. I learned that it’s the little things in life that carry the most weight,” said graduate student Catherine Steele.

The undergraduate and graduate students that participated were Anya Chatani, Brooke Self, Hayley Krush, Grace English, Grace Frerking, Blaire Zeiba, Julia Weinberg, Taylor McConnell, Catherine Steele, Annabella Jajuga, Mia Finigan, Katie McGrane, Chloe Molinaro, and Katelyn Peterson. Clinical audiologists Dr. Chelsea Alexander, Dr. Monica Walker, and Dr. Ricardo Gauthier also participated.

We encourage you to consider making an online donation to support the great work happening at the College of Communication & Information (CCI) and help us reach our goal. Continue reading to learn about each of the 12 CCI projects that this initiative will support!

Arrowhead Advertising

Arrowhead Advertising is a team who compete in the American Advertising Federation’s annual National Student Advertising Competition. The team has won first place in the district competition four times in the past five years. Donations help cover competition expenses, including membership fees, travel, and other activities, providing students with hands-on experience. Help them reach their goal of $6,000 to support current and future students. 

Cybersecurity Club Fund

FSU’s Cybersecurity Club is open to students from all majors and provides hands-on learning experiences in cybersecurity while representing FSU in regional and national competitions. Donations will support the club’s operations, including competition fees, new technology, and mentorship events designed to help students secure jobs in the field. The club aims to raise 20,000 dollars to enhance its efforts. The first 5,000 dollars raised will be dedicated to competition fees and expenses. Additional funds will be used to replace outdated technology and organize networking events with mentors and alumni, ensuring FSU students remain at the forefront of cybersecurity education and practice.

Help Guatemala Hear Service Trip

Since 2015, Dr. Selena Snowden has led service trips to provide audiology treatments and hearing aids to those in need in Guatemala. The team recently returned from Panajachel, where they collaborated with Porch de Salomon, a nonprofit that has hosted mission teams since 2006. This team is the only one providing hearing services in the region. The trip is funded through donations, with all necessary supplies, including medical and audiology equipment, brought from home. Every penny donated directly benefits the people of Guatemala, and any unused supplies will remain with Porch de Salomon. Your support helps bring the gift of hearing to those in need.

Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program

This new initiative by FSU’s School of Communication Science and Disorders aims to start an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program (ICAP) for stroke survivors and their families. Aphasia, a communication disorder caused by brain injury or stroke, affects a person’s ability to speak, read, and write. The FSU ICAP will offer a 4–6-week program providing education, therapy, and interdisciplinary support from students and faculty across various rehabilitation fields. Donations will support the launch of this program, helping to provide holistic care for stroke and brain injury survivors, and empower them to regain vital communication skills.

iSchool Innovation Fund

The School of Information is made up of dedicated innovators focused on producing graduates of the highest caliber. Alumni contribute by offering internships, employment opportunities, and promoting the program within their networks. Your contribution will enhance mentoring initiatives, bring renowned guest speakers to campus, and fund career workshops for students at all levels. The funds will also support focus groups to gather curriculum feedback and create student-led groups to assist incoming students. 

School of Communication

Your support will enable the development of activities to recognize student accomplishments throughout the year, including graduation events that invite students, their families, and friends.

School of Communication Student Excellence Fund

Graduate and undergraduate students in the School of Communication conduct impactful research on issues affecting society, including media production, industry practices, regulation, and the effects of media content. Their work also explores emerging technologies, social media, and documentaries on subjects with global, political, and economic significance. Your support will fund these projects, helping to deepen their understanding of the human condition and providing further opportunities for student success.

Spotlight on Student Success at The Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication

The Center for Hispanic Marketing Communication at Florida State University, the first of its kind in the U.S., conducts groundbreaking research, serves as an industry resource, and equips students with cutting-edge knowledge to meet the growing demand for professionals in the U.S. Hispanic market. It educates students to serve Hispanic and multicultural markets, provides insights for marketing and media industries, and integrates current trends and technologies. Your generosity will fund recruitment, research fellowships, events with professionals and scholars, and support for students attending conferences, conducting research, and gaining experiential learning and internship opportunities.

STARS – Student Leadership Corps

STARS (Students & Technology in Academia, Research, & Service) is a student-led alliance at FSU dedicated to increasing participation in IT/computing fields among K-12 students and on campus. The FSU STARS Alliance works to expand the pipeline of students pursuing IT careers, raise awareness about IT education, and prepare FSU students to become leaders in IT and communication. The group has earned awards for its outreach, including school visits across Florida, judging competitions, leading workshops, and engaging with tech employers. Donations support STARS’ mentorships, workshops, conferences, and efforts to develop an employer pipeline for students, helping them build critical leadership and communication skills for success in IT and communication careers.

Support Students in Communication & Information (Dean’s Excellence Fund)

Your gift will provide opportunities for students to excel beyond the classroom, supporting the success of the College’s students and faculty through activities, employer engagement, milestone celebrations, community outreach, and professional development.

Voices of Tomorrow: FSU Speech & Debate Society

The Marilyn J. Young Debate Endowment, established in 2014, ensures the future of Florida State University’s historic debate program, which has been a part of the university for over a century. The project supports student participation, training, and competitions, while preserving the legacy of debate excellence at FSU. Donations help develop critical thinking and communication skills, preparing students for success in various fields such as law, business, and education. The endowment ensures that future generations continue to benefit from FSU’s distinguished debate program.

WVFS Tallahassee 89.7FM

WVFS Tallahassee 89.7FM, the Voice of Florida State (V89), thanks you for your support! Staffed by 200 volunteers, V89 offers diverse programming and provides students with hands-on experience in all areas of radio. For over 37 years, V89 has been a vital educational resource and independent station. Your donation helps maintain broadcasts, support student development, and upgrade equipment.

 SCSD’s students are encouraged to engage deeply within their chosen field to develop their leadership and strengthen their craft. The AAA convention provided an experience for students to do so through educational meetings and critical peer-to-peer networking events. 

Some audiology faculty members accompanied this group of students including Director of Audiology Services, Dr. Selena Snowden, who said, “It was particularly delightful to go alongside our FSU students! Their endless curiosity and enthusiasm remind me what I love most about this profession and what an inspiration it is to know that the passion for audiology lives on for future generations.”

Allison Matula, President of FSU’s Student Academy of Audiology, said, “Attending this conference as an undergraduate student pursuing a career as an audiologist was an incredible experience. I was able to network with other audiology students, audiologists, and researchers, as well as learn about the new technology in the field, and attend lectures by inspiring guest speakers.” Matula mentioned feeling grateful that the convention was held in Atlanta, Georgia this year, as its close proximity to FSU made the travel convenient. “Getting to share this experience with my fellow classmates that share my passion for audiology was an unforgettable experience,” said Matula.