Creating a Culture of Inclusivity and Belonging for BIPOC Graduate Students in Speech-Language Pathology
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-18-2024 11:45 AM
End Date
4-18-2024 1:15 PM
Description of Program
This poster highlights the launch of the Supporting Inclusion and Equity in the Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement of Students (SIERRA) Program in the Department of Communication Disorders. The SIERRA program addresses the underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduate programs and tackles the multifaceted barriers these students face.
Abstract
In the field of speech-language pathology (SLP), there is a significant underrepresentation of practicing professionals who are from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds. Despite BIPOC individuals comprising 43% of the US population, only 8.9% of licensed SLPs identify as belonging to these groups. This gap is even more pronounced in graduate programs, where the percentages of BIPOC student enrollment lags behind their representation in undergraduate programs and when compared to their White counterparts enrolled in graduate programs. The low number of BIPOC students in graduate programs further compounds the issue, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives and experiences in the field, which is essential for meeting the diverse needs of an increasingly multicultural client population. The challenges faced by BIPOC students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs are multifaceted, including academic, financial, and socio-cultural barriers. These obstacles impede their access to, success in, and graduation from such programs. Recognizing the need for targeted support and resources, the Department of Communication Disorders at Governors State University has developed the Supporting Inclusion and Equity in the Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement of BIPOC Students (SIERRA) Program to address these challenges. The SIERRA Program incorporates strategies designed to support academic growth, develop professional skills and foster a sense of belonging within the department and profession. This poster focuses on the launch of the SIERRA Program at Governors State University, and reports data on student participation, results of a needs assessment, and describes initial activities.
Presentation File
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Creating a Culture of Inclusivity and Belonging for BIPOC Graduate Students in Speech-Language Pathology
University Library
In the field of speech-language pathology (SLP), there is a significant underrepresentation of practicing professionals who are from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) backgrounds. Despite BIPOC individuals comprising 43% of the US population, only 8.9% of licensed SLPs identify as belonging to these groups. This gap is even more pronounced in graduate programs, where the percentages of BIPOC student enrollment lags behind their representation in undergraduate programs and when compared to their White counterparts enrolled in graduate programs. The low number of BIPOC students in graduate programs further compounds the issue, leading to a lack of diverse perspectives and experiences in the field, which is essential for meeting the diverse needs of an increasingly multicultural client population. The challenges faced by BIPOC students in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) programs are multifaceted, including academic, financial, and socio-cultural barriers. These obstacles impede their access to, success in, and graduation from such programs. Recognizing the need for targeted support and resources, the Department of Communication Disorders at Governors State University has developed the Supporting Inclusion and Equity in the Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement of BIPOC Students (SIERRA) Program to address these challenges. The SIERRA Program incorporates strategies designed to support academic growth, develop professional skills and foster a sense of belonging within the department and profession. This poster focuses on the launch of the SIERRA Program at Governors State University, and reports data on student participation, results of a needs assessment, and describes initial activities.