First- and second-year students in the Master’s Program in Communications Sciences and Disorders (CSD) took time out of their busy schedules this past Monday in 1 CW to come together with each other, faculty members, and staff for the CSD Winter Connect lunch. The event was organized by Sofia Vallila Rohter, director of student success and curriculum, and a committee of students comprised of Mackenzie Looze, Elizabeth Sicard, Kevin Harris, Haylie Santos, Edan Caggio, and Dabirichi Chukwuezi.
The lunch was designed to give the students a break and a chance to enjoy interacting with each other and faculty. The lunch also addresses a key area of the program’s personalized advising approach.
“In the CSD department, students are paired with advisors and encouraged to actively engage in a collaborative partnership of seeking and sharing advice,” explained Vallila Rohter. “We aim to offer support across three key areas — Navigate, Connect, and Thrive.”
Academic advisors met each semester with a cohort to help them navigate the program by guiding them through key curriculum components such as required courses, electives, and scheduling. The lunch helps to foster the many important forms of connection that exist in the program — faculty-student, student-student, and student-resources. The third component, Thrive, revolves around helping students find additional support, relevant services, and resources they may need to achieve their goals, as well as helping them explore their passions, engage in professional development, and more.
“We came together to learn more about each other and enjoy a shared laugh outside of class and clinic,” said Vallila Rohter. “Based on the energy in the room, it feels like it was a success and a welcome break within a busy Monday. Next month, we will help them Navigate the program via meetings during the registration period with a March Thrive event.