Expanding Access to Speech Therapy Through Innovation and Partnership
Graduate student clinician providing virtual speech-language therapy.
Across the country, many schools struggle to provide consistent speech-language therapy for students who need it most. Through innovative partnerships, Calvin University’s Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program is helping to change that.
As the program expanded—adding a distance education cohort alongside the on-campus one—Calvin’s need for clinical placement sites grew. Recognizing the nationwide shortage of speech therapists, Calvin began forming partnerships with schools to provide virtual speech therapy services to students who might otherwise go without support.
Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico was the first to join. Located in a rural desert community serving many Native American students, Rehoboth’s assigned speech-language therapist was stretched thin, leaving many students without needed services.
“We’re so thankful for this partnership and the opportunities our students now have to access speech that we didn’t have before,” shared Emily Jeninga, Rehoboth’s student support coordinator.
Graduate clinicians work with students who might not meet strict eligibility criteria but still struggle with communication in ways that impact their learning and relationships. These challenges often extend beyond speech sounds to language, literacy, and social communication.
Graduate students appreciate the opportunity to serve in this way, too. Cynthia Gardenshire, a graduate student clinician from Colorado, said:
“It provides access to services they would not have otherwise. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and outreach to a community in need.”
Today, Calvin partners with schools nationwide, helping hundreds of students make meaningful progress. These partnerships also introduce more families to Calvin.
“I was in a virtual call with a prospective student recently,” shared Emily Vedra, director of operations for Calvin’s speech pathology program. “It turned out that the student attended a school where Calvin’s graduate clinicians serve, which helped foster awareness of Calvin as a great place to go to college.”
With funding challenges continuing in many districts, Calvin’s program offers a sustainable and mutually beneficial solution—connecting schools with dedicated clinicians-in-training while giving students essential experience.
Know a school that could benefit from additional speech therapy resources? Calvin is always looking to expand its network of clinical partners. Contact Emily Vedra with questions, emily.vedra@calvin.edu.