Student Bios
Hope Banham
Master of Science Speech and Hearing Sciences
I am from a large family (11 brothers and sisters!) and grew up in a small town near the Canadian border on the west side of Washington. I love hanging out with my family, playing ultimate and spike ball with friends, enjoying fellowship with my church family, and meeting people for coffee or boba tea.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I’ve known for a long time that I wanted to work with kids because of how much I enjoy talking and spending time with kids while hearing their new and curious perspectives on life. For a while in high school and the first couple of years at university, I thought this would mean I would be a teacher. But in my sophomore year of university, one of my older sisters introduced me to speech pathology. I took an intro class at my university and discovered what an awesome field it is. Now I’m getting to teach, help, and get to know kids in individual or small group settings. Living the dream!
What is your passion?
In speech pathology, I’m passionate about helping kids achieve their goals in whatever way will click with them. I love how as SLPs we get to be creative with the supports and materials we use and are able to individualize each session to that particular student’s needs and interests. I hope to continue finding new ways to explain ideas, use new materials, and never stop learning!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
It’s looking like I will be working in the schools, most likely with elementary-age students. The schools in this county have many multi-language users in the student population, which is a new angle of speech therapy that is fascinating to me. I’m excited to dig into the world of helping kids who use multiple languages in schools.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Although nonspecific (because it happened so many times!), one of my favorite memories is having long conversations with my friend, Katie, between classes, studying, and clinic. We’d discuss school, projects, speech therapy, and everything under the sun! She was always down to philosophize with me and to talk through why we do what we do as therapists and how best to do it.
Catherine Baxter
Master of Science Speech and Hearing Sciences
I grew up in Marysville, Washington, and pursued my bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University. I am so excited to graduate now with my master’s in Speech and Hearing Sciences here at Washington State University!
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I love the studies of language, education, and human biology. Speech-language pathology ties everything I love into a neat package while also allowing me to make a difference in the lives of young students.
What is your passion?
I love working with students in the area of augmentative and alternative communication! The problem-solving and personalized adjustments required to give an individual the tools they need to communicate effectively are both exciting and extremely rewarding. Everyone deserves to have a “voice”, no matter how that communication may look.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I’m very excited to go into the elementary school and/or preschool setting. I love working with (and playing lots of games!) with kiddos and getting to watch them grow.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My classmates have been nothing short of absolutely incredible — whether it be our late-night study sessions or meeting up for lunch — I will always treasure the memories I have of working with and learning from my fellow professionals (congratulations, everyone!!!).
Lara Caviness
Master of Science Speech and Hearing Sciences
I am a widow and the mother of three amazing young adult children. I have been a middle school science teacher, piano teacher, and school office secretary. I believe learning and serving others is a lifetime pursuit.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
While in search of a new career, I wanted to make sure I had a job where I could interact with people and make a difference in their lives. As I thought about what I should study, I was attracted to becoming a speech-language pathologist because I would get to work individually with people who were struggling to communicate. It is so important for everyone to be able to express their needs, wants, thoughts, feelings, and views about the world.
What is your passion?
My passion is working with children and adolescents. I love helping them discover who they are and their individual potential as a person through setting goals and supporting them to achieve those goals. As a speech-language pathologist, I will have the opportunity to help individuals achieve communication goals to keep them connected with their family and peers, to feel included, and to be an active participant in their community.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
My dream is to work as a school SLP where I will help students overcome the speech and language impairments that are negatively impacting their academic performance in their education. I want to help show them that they can overcome hard things and to be proud of themselves. I hope my small part of their school day with speech and language therapy will help to make education something they enjoy and feel successful with.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My favorite memories are of each client I have had the opportunity to interact with during my time as a student clinician. Graduate school was rigorous and required many sacrifices on my part. Being able to see my clients progress in their therapy and getting to know them continued to feed my “why” of going back to school to become an SLP. They made it all worthwhile. I am also grateful for getting to know each of my amazing cohorts through this journey! They are all such dedicated, kind, and nurturing people who help to make the world a better place.
Jordyn Del Pizzo
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
Being able to help individuals communicate because I believe that is something everyone deserves to have.
What is your passion?
Helping others.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I would love working in pediatrics. I am hoping to help children who have speech disorders.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Making friends with members of my cohort.
Elizabeth Moore
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
My favorite Spokane tourist attraction is the garbage goat!
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I wanted a career where I could help people and see the difference I’m making in their lives. There are a lot of helping professions to choose from, but being an SLP is the perfect one for me because I have always loved language and talking. My mom is a teacher, and she’s the one who originally suggested I look into being an SLP. I’m so glad she did!
What is your passion?
My passion, though cheesy, is community-building and bringing people together. I love to hear different people’s stories and learn about what makes them who they are.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
Right now, my two main areas of interest are working with young children in the schools or working with adults doing gender-affirming voice therapy. I want to help people find their voice, connect with others, and do that as their authentic selves.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories from my time at the college has been volunteering at Spokane HOPE, a local preschool for deaf and hard of hearing children. During summer camp, we went on a bear hunt, tie-dyed shirts, and even went on a picnic at the fire station across the street! I love learning with these students and seeing their language skills develop!
Katelyn Rommel
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
My name is Katelyn, but all of my friends call me Katie! I grew up on the west of Washington and graduated from a small high school. I attended WSU Vancouver for my first two years of college before transferring to WSU Spokane to complete my bachelor’s degree. I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, going to church, and watching The Office.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I didn’t know what career I wanted to pursue for a long time. All I knew was that I wanted to work with kids and help people in some capacity. I looked into teaching, real estate, criminal justice, law, and human development before I found the speech and hearing sciences field. I began corresponding with an SLP via email, and she introduced me to speech language pathology. Once I began researching what an SLP was, I discovered that it was an occupation full of opportunities to helps others.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about helping kids find their voices and becoming confident in themselves through communication. Growing up is a difficult process, and children deserve to have a strong support system in place as they navigate life. Through speech therapy, I hope to support kids as they are learning to succeed in life.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I will be working toward getting my speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) license. I hope to gain experience and knowledge in the field, so that I am able to assist clients in the most efficient way possible. I want to help people gain confidence in their ability to express themselves, and to use their voices to communicate with the world.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Over the last four years in college, I have made a lot of memories in the WSU gyms. That might sound funny, but the hours I spent working out with my friends have brought us a lot closer. When I attended the Vancouver campus, I would workout with my brother and his girlfriend (now my sister-in-law). I was also able to stay in touch with friends from high school by meeting weekly to workout. When I moved to Spokane, I didn’t know anyone in my program. By going to the gym with the friends I had just made, we were able to talk about life outside of school. I think that the gym is a great place to hangout, forget about school, and get to know other people.
Sydney Steffan
Master of Science Speech and Hearing Sciences
I was born in Bengbu, China and was adopted at nine months old and raised in Spokane, WA. I enjoy hiking, skiing, and boating in the summer time.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I want to make a difference in children’s lives. I meet people all the time that say that speech therapy has impacted their lives in a significant way.
What is your passion?
As an SLP, my passion is working with autistic children and promoting language through all modes of communication, whether that be verbal, speech generated, or sign language.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to make an impact on children who haven’t had access to communication.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Going through my speech and hearing program and meeting one of my best friends who shares the same passions as I do.
Paige Wagner
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
I am from Adna, a small town in western Washington. I love reading, the outdoors, learning new things, and enjoying life! I will be starting graduate school for speech language pathology in the fall.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
When I discovered the field of speech-language pathology, I immediately fell in love with it. I decided to pursue speech and hearing sciences because I have always loved working with people and aspire to be someone who has the knowledge and skills to help others. These past two years as an undergraduate have made me even more excited to continue on to graduate school and find my place in this field!
What is your passion?
I am passionate about caring for others. I greatly value the connections I have with the people surrounding me and I cannot think of anything I would rather do than spend my career being passionate about people’s communication!
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
If I have learned one thing throughout this program, the possibilities of what you can do as an SLP are seemingly endless. My goal is to make an impact wherever I am, while finding the place and population that I am most passionate about working with!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Volunteering at the Spokane Hearing and Oral Program of Excellence (HOPE) school has been my favorite experience during my time at WSU. Over the past two years, I have gotten to look forward to seeing the children and staff at HOPE every week. The staff there is truly the most wonderful and supportive group and have taught me so much about hearing loss and listening and spoken language! Especially the SLP, who through all of her hard work and dedication to the kids she works with, has modeled for me the kind of SLP I strive to one day be.
Hailey Weeks
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
I grew up in Seattle, Washington with my parents and younger brother. My hobbies growing up were Scottish Highland Dance, swim team, guitar, and reading.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I have always loved biology and anatomy, and originally planned to attend nursing school. After working as a CNA I researched other health science careers and came across speech language pathology. I felt excited to find a profession that held my academic interests and allowed me to make connections with people.
What is your passion?
I feel passionate about making a positive impact in my community. I enjoy advocacy work for Native American populations and have had the privilege of working with the Wellpinit School here in Spokane.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
In the future, I hope to work in a medical setting with dementia or TBI patients.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories from my time at college has been study groups and bachelor watch party nights with my best friends!
Malia Whitmore
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
I have been babysitting since I was in middle school and still do it today! This was and continues to be a very impactful experience in my life. My time spent with the girls I babysit has solidified my decision to work with pediatrics.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
After having personal experiences with the positive impacts of medicine, I knew I wanted to pursue a health care profession. It was only after reflecting on my own time in speech therapy and observing SLPs in various settings that led me to this field. Going through the undergraduate program at WSU only pushed my heart further toward this field and all that it has to offer.
What is your passion?
I have a big passion for serving others and making them feel good! When I am not learning how to become an SLP in the classroom, I enjoy baking for family and friends, working as a barista, and at WSU’s Diversity Center! I really find true joy in making others happy.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to make a positive impact in pediatrics. One of my main interests in the field is working with the birth-to-age-three population regarding cleft lip and palate, feeding, and more!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
It is hard to pick just one as I have really enjoyed my time at WSU, but any memory of the WSU Tennis Club holds a special place in my heart! I love tennis and I met some of my best friends through this club.
Ashley Williams
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
I have had the pleasure of working in WSU’s Equity Leadership and Community Hub during my time at the WSU Spokane Health Sciences Campus. Working here has enabled me to make connections across disciplines and contribute to an inclusive space dedicated to diversity. I have truly enjoyed the opportunities to create, plan, and participate in many events on campus.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
Growing up as the oldest of five kids I was always in a caregiver role. When my mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2006, it led me quickly into a new role as her advocate and primary care provider by age 11. By 2008, I attended every appointment, including trips to MS specialists in Portland and Seattle. This triggered an intense interest in a career in the medical field but I didn’t find the role that was right for me until my junior year of college. By this time I had started to pursue a vocal performance degree, I found out about speech language pathology in my vocal pedagogy class during our vocal hygiene and voice disorders unit. Once I learned about SLPs that was it, I applied to the nearest speech and hearing sciences program, which happened to be WSU. I have continued to follow this path learning more with each day in the program.
What is your passion?
I am passionate about being a good mother. I want to provide a stable life for my children full of opportunities and experiences. I hope to teach them through my experiences about how to follow their passion and find happiness in your daily moments. As a future SLP, I also hope to teach them about compassion and the value of diversity. Everyone always has something unique to offer and we should do our best to create an environment that welcomes opposing or new perspectives.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
As I shift into graduate school and the final steps before becoming a full-fledged SLP, I hope to get to work with people from all types of backgrounds who are reclaiming their voices. My voice has always been so important to my own self-image that I want to make sure others are given a chance to find, reclaim, or develop theirs either through speech therapy, augmentative alternative communication devices, or other means.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
My first day on the Spokane Health Sciences Campus is my favorite memory. Coming for orientation was my first time meeting others in my major. Being surrounded by peers with similar interests and a shared passion was such a magical moment for me. It truly hit home how I had found the right field and profession for my goals and values.
Alyssa Wolf
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
My name is Alyssa Wolf and I grew up in a small town in Washington named Pomeroy.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I have always had a passion for working with kids and originally wanted to be an elementary school teacher. I was lucky enough to discover the field of speech language pathology where I learned that I can work with kids in an elementary school and help kids learn to communicate!
What is your passion?
I love to dance. I have been dancing my whole life and I am currently a dance teacher.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I plan to continue on to grad school and then eventually work in an elementary school. I hope to make an impact in the lives of many children by helping them communicate!
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
Meeting new people and meeting my best friends has been the best part of college at WSU.
Sophia Wyant
Bachelor of Arts Speech and Hearing Sciences
I am from Medford, Oregon — born and raised in the PNW. I love anything that has to with adventures or creativity including hiking, kayaking, rafting, skiing, art, music, and cooking.
What led you to study speech and hearing sciences, and why?
I came to WSU Pullman planning to pursue a career in nursing. After some time, I felt that I was not a fit for the career and decided to explore other health care paths. I ended up meeting some people who were majoring in speech and hearing sciences, eventually hoping to become speech language pathologists. I was not familiar with this field and decided to do some more research. When I learned about what speech language pathologist are and their role, I fell in love with the field and that’s when I switched my major to speech and hearing sciences. Ever since, I’ve heard nothing but amazing experiences from people who are speech language pathologists as they’ve shared how much they love their careers. The curriculum has been a mix of challenging and interesting, but nothing beats having the coolest classmates!
What is your passion?
My passion is to teach what I learn — teach people to enjoy life and to overcome the hardest challenges, experiences, or barriers they may encounter.
Where do you hope to make an impact as you move to the next stage of your journey and beyond?
I hope to mentor people to embrace the love they find within themselves and enjoy their journey throughout life.
What is one of your favorite memories from your time at the college?
One of my favorite memories was driving down to Pullman on the weekends to visit and have fun with my Pullman pals!