Faculty and Students Partner for Research

Sarah Anderson and Erin Wind, graduate students in Longwood’s Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program, can now add published authors to their list of accomplishments. 

Alongside CSD Graduate Director Dr. Alison King, CSD Professor Emeritus Dr. Lissa Power-deFur, and Dean of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies Dr. Jeannine Perry, the students collaborated on an article that appeared in the peer-reviewed journal Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups in February 2023. 

The study, titled “Survey of Communication Sciences and Disorders Applicants: Factors That Influence Graduate School Selection,” began as a graduate task force applicant survey on why prospective students chose to apply to Longwood’s CSD program. 

“When we analyzed the data, we realized that it not only informed Longwood's recruitment practices, but that it would be valuable for other CSD programs nationwide,” explained Power-deFur.

Anderson, who will earn her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in May 2023, explained that this was her first experience writing a peer-reviewed article.

“Our findings indicated that prospective students find that full-time and face-to-face education are important,” said Anderson. “Overall, the results of this research suggest that graduate programs may want to present the content of their program clearly, highlighting unique aspects of content in comparison with other institutions.”

Longwood’s own CSD program sets itself apart with its emphasis on faculty-student partnerships that build a supportive, immersive learning community. 

“Our program has increased the number of student-led research projects, completed theses, and student journal submissions over the past few years,” King said. 

Dean Perry noted that the article – researched and written by graduate faculty, graduate students, and supported by two university administrators – “conveys just how collaborative life and work at Longwood University is.” 

“We engaged both Sarah and Erin to assist with a literature review and writing in order to give them experience with these tasks for the purpose of submitting to a peer-reviewed journal,” noted Power-deFur. “It also gave them opportunities to work closely with faculty in preparation of a manuscript — from the literature review to the writing to the presentation of the data to submission and response to reviewers.”

For CSD students, applied learning begins in the first semester on campus. 

“The program offers hands-on experience immediately to students to allow them to learn as much as possible in the year they are on campus,” said Anderson. “A highlight of mine is getting as much treatment and evaluation experience in the Speech, Hearing, and Learning Services clinic in my first graduate year…I have gained experience working with a variety of disorders, age ranges and settings.”

Additionally, Anderson and Wind both gained professional experience when they presented the study’s results for the National American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Convention in November 2022. 

Throughout the publication process, the students developed connections with faculty mentors that they foresee continuing long after graduation. 

“I have developed a great relationship with the professors at Longwood to the point of being comfortable with them to share my successes, pitfalls and challenges,” said Anderson. “I know in the future when I am working as a certified clinician, I will not hesitate to reach out to them for their clinical advice.”