TCNJ

e College of New Jersey ANNUAL REPORT 2017–2018 A GREAT CONVERSATION Students, faculty, and staff in the Career and Community Studies program welcomed Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) to class in early May to learn about how the CCS program is helping young adults with intellectual disabilities prepare for adult life. "Young adults with intellectual learning disabilities and their families want programs designed to empower those with disabilities to be able to learn and succeed on their own," said Fitzpatrick. "The College of New Jersey and its Career and Community Studies Program prepare students with intellectual disabilities, some of whom are my constituents, with the academic and career readiness needed for adult life." "We were so pleased to have Congressman Fitzpatrick visit the Career and Community Studies Program at TCNJ," said Amy Schuler, assistant director of the CCS program. "It is exciting that our elected officials continue to see the value of post-secondary educational opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities." Fitzpatrick observed a course titled "Great Conversations," which focuses on an important issue or issues within a specific academic discipline. TCNJ's CCS program is designed to prepare students for adult life through academic rigor, career discovery/readiness, and peer socialization as part of a diverse community of learners. NEW MAJOR IN SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY The demand for speech pathologists and audiologists is growing globally due to increasing instances of age-related health conditions that cause speech or language impairments. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor has stated it expects employment in these fields to grow at a pace well ahead of the average for all occupations. To help meet this demand, TCNJ launched a speech pathology and audiology undergraduate major beginning in the fall of 2018. This four-year program will include rigorous course work, opportunities for field observations and internships with professionals, a selection of specializations, and classes in the areas required as a prerequisite for application to competitive graduate programs. "In addition to preparing students for graduate education in audiology and speech-language pathology, this degree can lead to careers in a variety of other fields such as health care, education, science, and public policy," said Suzanne McCotter, dean of TCNJ's School of Education. The program provides three options for specialization: 1. Working with deaf clientele to assist students in understanding the unique circumstances of language and speech development in deaf or hard of hearing children; 2. Augmentative communication to give students a background in communication development in children with significant disabilities as well as an introduction to relevant assistive technologies; and 3. Using language and culture as a lens to provide students with a knowledge base to enable socially responsive practices that minimize marginalization due to linguistic or cultural differences. SCHOOL OF EDUCATION STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT Joana Matilde Almeida Couto, a graduate student in the clinical mental health counseling program, received an $8,000 award from the NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Youth. The NBCC Foundation is an affiliate of the National Board for Certified Counselors. She is interested in working with diverse populations in hospital and college settings, along with expressive therapies such as sand play therapy, art therapy, and trauma-sensitive yoga. With the award, Couto will attend counseling conferences to establish a stronger professional identity as a counselor, learn evidence-based practices to better support underserved populations, and advocate for the counseling profession.

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