CSDS Student Receives Eagle Excellence Award
Lauren Johnson, a graduate student in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) program, received the Graduate Student Leadership and Service Award during Georgia Southern University’s annual Eagle Excellence Awards. Johnson’s award recognizes graduate students who have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of leadership and involvement in student life.
The Eagle Excellence Awards annually recognize students, student organizations and organization advisors for their contributions to the University and community.
“Community involvement through speech-language pathology is important to me since communication is a human right that all deserve,” stated Johnson. “Receiving this award will continue to push me to help those in need have accessible care.”
Johnson, a Lilburn, Georgia, native works in the RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, which offers low/no-cost speech therapy services. The services are provided by CSDS graduate students under the supervision of experienced, licensed speech-language pathologists.
“Johnson has gone above and beyond in her academic career and community outreach,” stated Tory Candea, SLPD, CCC-SLP, coordinator for the RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders. “She is consistently striving to be the best clinician she can be and is patient, flexible and passionate about improving her clients’ communication abilities. The CSDS program could not be prouder of Johnson’s hard work and dedication to the field.”
Johnson’s role at the RiteCare Center has allowed her to get involved in the community through various events.
“In addition to providing services at our clinic, I have been involved in several public outreach efforts to raise awareness of our services to local health care professionals and build interest in our animal-assisted therapy program Manes and Memories,” noted Johnson. “I have also had the pleasure of providing in-school hearing screenings to children in kindergarten through 12th grade.”
Johnson attributes her growth in the CSDS program to the many opportunities it has provided.
“These opportunities have increased my passion for speech therapy, which has led me to share my experience with incoming undergraduate and graduate students through activities such as the Waters College of Health Professions open house as well as the Communication Sciences and Disorders program open house,” Johnson added.
Posted in Awards and Recognition, Student Highlights