{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Longwood GradCast - Beyond the Degree","title":"Beyond The Clinic: Shaping Lives Through Communication","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2970,"description":"In this episode of Longwood GradCast: Beyond the Degree, host Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson sits down with Daija Fowler (M.S.’23), a speech-language pathologist whose journey from psychology major to Communication Sciences and Disorders leader highlights the power of purpose, mentorship, and professional reinvention.\n\nDaija traces her path back to her undergraduate days at UNC Greensboro, where a shift in academic focus—and a few pivotal conversations with her mom and a childhood friend—led her to discover a calling in Communication Sciences and Disorders. That moment of clarity set her on a path toward Longwood University, where she pursued her Master’s degree in speech-language pathology.\nA first-generation college student, Daija speaks openly about the challenges she faced navigating graduate school applications, tuition costs, and the weight of doing it all without a roadmap. But it was at Longwood where she found her footing—and her voice. As a graduate assistant in the CSD department, Daija stepped into roles that demanded precision, organization, and adaptability. With the mentorship of faculty like Dr. King, she not only helped run the behind-the-scenes operations of the clinic but also developed a deeper appreciation for the profession she was preparing to enter.\nNow working full-time in the school system, Daija reflects on her transition from private practice to public education while maintaining her original clients in an after school capacity. From the nerves of her first interviews to the satisfaction of helping students meet their communication goals, Daija shares how each stage of her journey has deepened her confidence and commitment. Her passion for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and fluency—specialties she didn’t expect to fall in love with—demonstrate the value of staying open to new possibilities.\nThroughout the episode, Daija shines a light on the often-overlooked complexities of the SLP role. From diagnostics to collaboration...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/-Jp_7WohE_sbFyX8eFv54szFUXHyZ0PZGda5svIsH1s/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzQ3MDI4LzE3MDAz/ODcwNTUtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}