Harris College’s Davies School of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) brought together local school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs)—many of whom are TCU alumni or work closely with COSD students. Organized and managed by COSD Ph.D. students, the Professional Development Day provided a platform to address real-world practice challenges and share expertise. The event was tied to Project INTERSECT, a U.S. Department of Education-funded training grant focused on preparing Ph.D.-level SLPs who can conduct research alongside school-based SLPs and prepare the next generation of students who will fill school-based positions.
The day featured impactful seminars on topics such as trauma-informed practice and goal writing for challenging populations, including culturally and linguistically diverse children, children transitioning from elementary to secondary school, and those using Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). These sessions provided valuable insights and tools for SLPs navigating complex clinical scenarios.
"This event highlights the values of COSD and Project INTERSECT. By actively engaging with our community, we can bridge the gap between research and practice and drive meaningful changes in outcomes for children with communication disorders,” said Emily Lund, associate professor.
The event also served as a unique learning opportunity for TCU students. Six master’s students and nine undergraduate volunteers worked alongside the Ph.D. organizers, contributing to the event's planning and execution. Additionally, Ph.D. students collected valuable data for their first-year research projects, creating a bridge between academic study and practical application.
Nikki Hoopes, a health sciences doctoral student, played an instrumental role in the event’s success. Hoopes is focusing on the impacts of early childhood trauma on language and social skill development and appropriate intervention strategies SLPs can use. She is in the Ph.D. program and led the organization and management of the Professional Development Day as part of her first predissertation project. Other students in her cohort jumped in to support her project, collect some of their own data and provide additional learning opportunities for participants.
“It’s always exciting when the worlds of professional practice and research intersect,” Hoopes said. “Our field needs and is strengthened by both. This event served to not only provide important information to working clinicians, but also better inform researchers on practitioners current and future needs on understudied populations.”
With plans to host this event annually, TCU aims to strengthen the connection between its COSD program and local DFW SLPs in public schools, fostering collaboration and continued professional growth.