Professor, students receive awards at annual convention

Afua Agyapong, PhD, and two Speech-Language Pathology students were recognized at the Georgia Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (GSHA) annual convention that was held in Athens, Georgia this year.

The GSHA is a professional association of individuals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of communication, swallowing and hearing disorders. The association advocates for the professional interests of its members and the individuals they serve and provides a forum for the exchange of professional information and ideas.

Agyapong received a Community Impact Grant for $1,150 to support upcoming community-based work on voice screenings in collaboration with Tiffany Prescott, PhD, for the SLP program, which is housed in the College of Allied Health Sciences.

“We’re very excited because we have wanted to do voice screening. That’s one area that’s really lacking in the community because usually speech and language are focused on children or the elderly population, but targeting those professional voice users and voice screenings isn’t something that’s done very often,” Agyapong said. “It’s such a need for our community, and I was very excited that I got some money to support me to do that being a voice specialist.”

First-year graduate students Nadiah Brown and Robyn Rayford were among 10 students who received GSHFoundation scholarships. The $1,500 scholarships are awarded to deserving students in the field of speech-language pathology and audiology from under-represented groups and those with financial needs.

Agyapong said the students met the qualifications to be considered for the scholarship, which included being in good academic standing in their master’s program while also showing a commitment to the community.

“I am deeply grateful for the support provided by the GSHFoundation scholarship. Graduate school brings significant financial challenges, and this scholarship allows me to focus more fully on my clinical training and professional growth,” Brown said. “This support brings me one step closer to my goal of expanding representation and creating therapy spaces where every child feels seen, supported and valued.”

Both Brown and Rayford are slated to graduate in 2027. Rayford said the scholarship lifts the financial weight off her shoulders and will allow her to focus fully on her clinical training and growth.

“I am deeply grateful for this investment in my education and in the work I hope to do for others.”

The screenings will also be provided to music education students in the Department of Music.

Courtney Kalbacker, DMA, is an assistant professor of voice and the director of AU Opera. She said the screenings will be for those students who will need to use their voices in a repetitive, constant and strenuous manner throughout their careers.

“Vocal health and stamina must be in peak performance to effectively do their jobs. Screenings are a cornerstone to understanding not only their own health, but to begin to understand the needs of the countless students they will encounter in their future careers as well,” Kalbacker said. “We are thrilled that Dr. Agyapong has received this preliminary grant that will support this important work in the community. There are so many professional and avocational voice users – from teachers, to church choir singers, community theatre actors, executive presenters and even cheerleaders – that can greatly benefit from the improved vocal health that comes from informative voice screenings.”