News about speech-language pathology and our students, alumni and faculty.
Congratulations to CSD majors Caity Acosta and Shay Johnson of the ACU Woman’s Soccer Team. After winning the conference championship over the weekend, Caity was named to the All Tournament Team and Shay was named Tournament MVP! The team plays Baylor in Waco on Saturday at 7:30 so if you live nearby, come root them on!!!
The reputation of the Graduate Program has once again led to a great class of students! After reviewing applications for 227 potential students, we were pleased to welcome a group of 24 young people to the 2015-2017 cohort. These students came to ACU from a dozen universities (ACU, Biola, Hardin Simmons, Harding, Ouachita State, San Diego State, Texas Christian University, Texas State University, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, University of North Texas, University of Texas Pan Am, and Utah State). Four of the students are participating in the bilingual emphasis program which is an increase from previous years. 
And, if you notice in the picture, there are TWO young men in the program! That’s a 100% increase over the previous year!
What a surprise for Dr. Terry Baggs when he walked into class only to find 24 clones of himself! The first year graduate students decorated the white board with ‘Baggisms’, dressed like Dr. Baggs, and provided him a big class of Sonic tea and sopapilla cheesecake. Happy birthday, Dr. Baggs!
Will the real Dr. Baggs please step forward?
Dr. Baggs and his clones
Laura Baxter and Kara Nestle
Laura Baxter and Kara Nestle were recognized on Tuesday, April 15th as University Scholars during the University Scholars Chapel. Both will graduate in May with the Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Laura has participated in the ACU Honors Program and will receive the Certificate of Studies in Gerontology. She completed a research project mentored by Dr. C.D. Pruett entitled Evaluating Knowledge and Identifying Age-Biases of Undergraduate Communication Sciences and Disorders Students at a Private Southwestern University. Laura recently presented the paper at the Southwestern Social Science Association Annual Meeting in San Antonio. Laura is president of the ACU chapter of Sigma Phi Omega, a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society, a member of Ko Jo Kai social club, and has memberships in TSHA, NSSLHA, and BCSLHA. Laura attends Beltway Park Baptist Church in Abilene, her home congregation is the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston, TX. In the fall, she will begin graduate studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Texas Christian University.
Kara has participated in the McNair Scholars Program during which time she completed research entitled, Effects of the iPad on Teaching and Improving Social Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She presented the paper at the Texas National McNair Scholars Research Conference at the University of North Texas. Dr. Denise Barnett was her research mentor. While at ACU, Kara has been an active member of the ACU Chapter of NSSLHA, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and Zeta Rho social club. She is a member of Hillcrest Church of Christ. Kara will begin the graduate program in Communication Sciences and Disorders at ACU this fall.
Tessa Wolford, Josi Flores, Kara Nestle, and Adelaide Rich
Tessa Wolford and Jeanette Avila
The annual Undergraduate Research Festival took place on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Hunter Welcome Center. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders was well represented as five of our students presented the results of their research.
Kara Nestle, senior from Springtown, Texas, made an oral presentation on the Effects of the iPad on Teaching and Improving Social Skills of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kara completed this research while participating in the McNair Scholars Program. After graduating in May 2014, Kara will return to ACU in the fall to begin graduate studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
Adelaide Rich conducted research under the mentorship of Dr. Mel Hailey in Political Science. She presented her findings during a poster session entitled Lack of Services for Those Affected by Autism in the UK. Addie is a sophomore from Boerne, Texas.
Tessa Wolford, a sophomore CSD major from North Richland Hills, Texas, completed research while participating in the Justice and Urban Studies Team (JUST) program. Her oral presentation was on the topic, The Effects of Mentors in an Adolescent’s Life: An Evaluation of the Availability of Mentorship in Dallas ISD .
Jeanette Avila is a sophomore CSD major from Waxahachie, Texas. Also a participant in the JUST program, Jeanette presented findings from a study entitled Nutrition from a Child’s Perspective.
Josi Flores, senior International Studies major from Abilene, Texas, presented on the topic,The Effects of Military Modernization on Global Powers. Josi will begin leveling coursework this fall in the ACU CSD program in preparation for graduate studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
