Faith Bennett ’26 pursues master’s in speech-language pathology
- Name: Faith Carlynn Bennett '26 (completed her bachelor’s degree in December ’25)
- Academic programs: Communication Sciences and Disorders major, Psychology minor, currently Speech-Language Pathology grad student
- From: Charles D’Amico High School, Albion, NY
How have your Naz experiences shaped who you are today?
My time at Nazareth shaped me by constantly pushing me out of my comfort zone in the best way. In the summer of 2024, I studied abroad in Valencia, Spain. At first, I was so scared to be immersed in a new culture and language, but taking daily Spanish classes and having support from peers taught me how to be brave in a new environment. I returned to campus with a newfound confidence and passion that I immediately applied to my clinical work. I’m currently in a Pre-K clinic placement, and this hands-on experience with literacy and language has been so beneficial to my learning. When I go into the workforce, I will feel confident in my abilities as a clinician because of these opportunities Naz offers.
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| Celebrating the Student Engagement and Leadership Expo on campus. |
As a captain of the Nazareth cheer team during the 2025 school year, I had a blast promoting the team and helping other students get involved. The Student Engagement and Leadership Expo was one of my favorite ways to spread the word about cheer. Cheerleading has held a special place in my heart since I was 5 years old, so being able to continue that passion at the collegiate level here at Nazareth has been a dream come true.
What’s next after Naz?
I’m attending graduate school at Nazareth and working on getting my master’s in Speech-Language Pathology. I am pursuing an Early Intervention specialization and my goal is to be an elementary school SLP and to write children’s books one day!
What are you most looking forward to in your life’s work? How has Naz prepared you for success?
What excites me most is completing my master’s degree in December 2027 and using my knowledge to help others find their voice. Nazareth University has been instrumental in this journey, helping me find my own voice and providing the clinical foundation and experience I need to proudly advocate for and support my future students.
What lessons will you take with you from your Nazareth years?
The most profound lesson I will take from my years at Nazareth is that making a positive difference doesn't require doing everything all at once; it happens in small, intentional moments. This past March, I joined an alternative break trip to Louisiana, where I was initially nervous about the unfamiliar physical labor of wetland restoration. On this trip we planted 1,200 cypress trees, which I will likely never see again. Knowing I may never see them sprout or grow taught me a sense of radical hope. It showed me that success isn't always about witnessing the final result, but about having the courage to plant the seeds of change anyway.
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| Harvesting carrots with my friend Caroline Desousa at Grow Dat Youth Farm in New Orleans, Louisiana. |
One of my favorite days on my Alt Break included our visit to Grow Dat Youth Farm, where we spent the day harvesting crops that would then be dispersed amongst the community. Harvesting the carrots was more than just agricultural work. It was a hands-on lesson in how sustainability and leadership go hand-in-hand to strengthen a community.
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| Celebrating Españolé graduation in Valencia, Spain |
During the summer of 2024, I had the life-changing opportunity to study abroad in Valencia, Spain. I spent a month immersed in the culture and language while attending Españolé, a school dedicated to Spanish language and cultural education. I was able to earn three credits of Spanish during the trip, but the real value was in the connections I made with the staff and other students from around the world. The photo above shows an exceptionally exciting day, as students graduated from their Spanish classes and delighted in a reception ceremony before leaving Spain the following day.
Naz Weekend has become one of my favorite annual traditions. I love having my mom, Jennifer Carr, on campus to share the Nazareth spirit — whether we’re stopping by the food trucks, listening to the local bands, or making sure we get our annual photo by the hay bales. She is my biggest supporter, and these weekends are such a special reminder of the community that has carried me through my journey here.
Who’s had a great impact on you?
Dr. Elizabeth Runnion is an audiologist and professor who has greatly impacted my college experience. Not only has she been my advisor since freshman year, but she also oversees the CSDA club where I served as vice president.
As a first-generation college student, I really struggled at first to find my place and figure out the person and student I wanted to be. Dr. Runnion graciously always lent an ear and offered encouraging support during those times. Her classes were consistently some of the most engaging parts of my week.
One of my most memorable courses was Aural Rehabilitation, where we learned about different hearing aids, support systems, and testing procedures. I loved how she created a space where we could explore the technology hands-on, making the clinical side of the field truly come alive. There were times when I worried I wouldn’t be successful within my major, but Dr. Runnion’s wisdom and guidance pushed me to believe in myself. She gave me the hope I needed to see through the hard days and always provided the resources and encouragement to keep moving forward.
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| Elizabeth Runnion, Ph.D., and I smile for a photo in the York Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute on campus. |
Faith Bennett is a 2026 Commencement student speaker. This story is part of a graduating student profile series.
