Future speech pathologist built confidence and people skills through LGBTQ+ advocacy, dance, and leadership opportunities.

Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders (aka Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences)

Minor: Dance

From: Brockport High School, NY

What’s next for you?

I will continue at Nazareth University in the Speech-Language Pathology graduate program with a deafness specialty.

Emma and Gabbie hold up peace signs in front of an autumn scene
Posing with Gabbie Lawyerr ’25 at Bonner Congress in Black Mountain, North Carolina. 

What are you most looking forward to in your life’s work?

I am most looking forward to connecting with others and supporting them in becoming the most confident and comfortable versions of themselves. It’s so fulfilling to see how speech and language skills can impact and benefit people’s lives, like a grandparent who can now talk to their grandchild on the phone, and people who can say what they want to say without worrying how others will perceive it.

I love two aspects of speech pathology: The diagnostic/scientific work of analyzing people’s language and speech and finding patterns, combined with getting to know them as individuals through 1-on-1 or small group work. That enables me to connect the dots between the person, including their background and cultural experiences, and the diagnostic assessment and observations, to come to conclusions. My community engagement opportunities and clinical experiences at Naz have prepared me to be successful.

Emma, Katie, and Yasima dressed in a yellow apron uniform
Providing dinner service at Tindley Soup Kitchen with Katie Profitt and Yasmia Lewis during Nazareth’s Alternative Break in Philadelphia.

Best experiences during college?

One of my best experiences at Naz was leading an alternative break experience focused on LGBTQ+ youth in Colorado Springs during my senior year. Activities included painting a progressive pride flag in the archway of a community center, which was a great teamwork experience. We heard from the staff that the youth got so excited when they walked in and saw it.

I liked being able to work with my peers. We didn’t really know each other before the Colorado experience. We worked so well as a team. We made sure everyone was taken care of and everyone’s voices and ideas were heard.

This experience allowed me to create connections within my community while learning how I can support and advocate for others. I will carry the lessons I learned and the connections I built during this experience with me forever.

Group picture of our Alternative Breaks team in Colorado outside our community partner, Inside Out Youth Services, displaying our painted ceiling tile.

Naz has taught me to take advantage of as many opportunities as possible. I will continue to embrace this mentality as I continue at school, in the professional world, and in my personal life.

In addition to alt breaks, I’m a Bonner Leader and part of the Bonner leadership team. I’ve had the chance to go to conferences focused on leadership and do other community engagement, including an AIDS remembrance garden cleanup at Highland Park. All of it has been such a great opportunity for community building and leadership development.

I am not a very outgoing or extraverted person, but I’m a much more confident leader now.

Emma posed with her dance team
Performing student-choreographed pieces and taking master classes from dance educators at an American College Dance Association conference at the University of Rochester was one of many opportunities I had during college.

Is there one faculty or staff member or support person who’s had a great impact on you? 

Jen Canning's mentorship in alternative breaks has helped me grow so much as a leader and as a person. She has given me many opportunities for development and trusted me with countless meaningful projects. I will forever be grateful for the guidance and care that Jen has provided me during my time at Naz.

With Jen Canning, assistant director in Weider Community Engagement, by a Naz community engagement van on the Philadelphia alternative break trip related to abolition and restoration that I co-led this year, with her as an advisor. I learned a lot about the criminal justice system.

Any tips for new students?

To find community and belonging, be intentional about making connections. Initially I was shy about experiences where I didn’t already know anyone. But I just started doing things anyway, even if it was scary, and it turned out to be really awesome. I found people who were very like-minded and community-engagement focused. I got more involved in the LGBTQ community and the dance community. You just have to start. 

Part of a graduating student profile series