Testimonials

Gabrielle Klausner

Placement Setting: Hospital
Graduation Year: Summer 2026

How did your NYU CSD MS academic and practicum coursework specifically prepare you for the clinical and/or professional challenges you have encountered in the field?

My NYU CSD professors prepared me well for the clinical and professional challenges I’ve encountered in the field. Their passion for this work is evident, and they are truly exceptional at making complex material accessible. I felt supported through resources such as interactive lecture slides, case studies, real-life scenarios, and opportunities for office hours and group study sessions, which helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.

How has your definition of a "successful session" changed since starting your field placement?

Since starting my field placement, my definition of a “successful session” has shifted significantly. I used to measure success by how much progress was made toward a specific goal. If things didn’t go as expected, I often felt stuck or discouraged.

Now, I see success in a much broader and more meaningful way. Even when a session doesn’t go as planned, it still provides valuable information about what is functional, engaging, or stimulable for the patient. I’ve learned the importance of being flexible, trying different approaches, and using those moments to guide future sessions. Knowing what doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does.

What client population did you work with, and what did you learn from them that you couldn't have learned from a textbook?

I am currently working with adults with brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Through this experience, I’ve learned that counseling is something you cannot learn from a textbook. Supporting individuals as they navigate life after a stroke, TBI, or with a progressive disease requires intentional compassion and empathy in a way that is deeply human and ever-changing. Each person shows up differently every day, and learning how to meet them where they are has been one of the most meaningful parts of my growth, including connecting emotionally and communicatively.

I’ve also learned how important it is to build rapport and trust, to approach every interaction as a collaboration. Being present in real time for conversations around loss, identity, and adjustment has taught me more than any reading ever could. It has pushed me to listen more closely, respond more thoughtfully, and recognize the complexity and resilience within each individual.

If you could go back to your first day at the site, what would you say to yourself?

If I could go back to my first day at the site, I would remind myself that I am capable of doing hard things. I would tell myself to trust my instincts and recognize that I know more than I think I do. I would also remind myself that it is okay to make mistakes; this is all part of the learning process. Most importantly, I would tell myself to be patient and give myself grace because growth takes time.

Ishika Mroke

Placement Setting: Hospital
Graduation Year: Spring 2026

Can you describe a specific moment during your field placement when you felt: "I am in the right profession"?

During an evaluation where I was able to pull from my own life and cultural experiences to connect with a patient.

How would you describe the supervision and mentorship you received at your field placement?

The supervision I received is top-tier, and I could not expect anything better. I worked with a diverse geriatric population, a group of people that is often overlooked in classes. Thus, having the hands on and direct palliative experience was valuable as a clinician.

Describe your field placement experience in three words.

Engaging, Diverse, Informative

Marcela Lara

Placement Setting: School
Graduation Year: Summer 2026

How did your NYU CSD MS academic and practicum coursework specifically prepare you for the clinical and/or professional challenges you have encountered in the field?

The MS academic and practicum coursework prepared me to navigate clinical challenges by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and self-reflection. In particular, I learned how to work closely with my supervisor to develop a shared “dialogue tool,” where we openly discussed what was important to me as a clinician and how we could collaborate to support my clinical growth. Additionally, my coursework in Culturally Responsive Practices and Assessment and Intervention of Multilingual Learners has allowed me to engage in conversations and bridge my background/identities to further develop a lens that appreciates my multidimensional clients while providing quality, individualized care.

In what ways did the reality of field placement differ from your expectations, and how did you adapt?

This experience helped me become more proactive in seeking feedback, clarifying expectations, and engaging in productive clinical discussions, which has been essential in continuing to develop my skills

How did you balance the demands of full-time field placement with your academic workload?

In order to balance the demands of full-time field placement and my academic workload, I prioritized organization and communication. I worked closely with my supervisor to establish clear expectations and timelines, which helped me manage competing deadlines effectively. Additionally, I maintained open lines of communication and intentionally set aside time outside of placement and class for self-care, which allowed me to stay focused by still allowing me to find time for my passions!

Describe your field placement experience in three words.

Rewarding, Interactive, Collaborative

Trinity Fenga

Placement Setting: Hospital
Graduation Year: Spring 2026

How did your NYU CSD MS academic and practicum coursework specifically prepare you for the clinical and/or professional challenges you have encountered in the field?

By gaining knowledge from the variety of classes offered I have built a foundation of knowledge that I have been using to apply to my various practicum placements.

How would you describe the supervision and mentorship you received at your field placement?

Definitely my best experience yet. My supervisor was extremely knowledgeable and patient, which allowed me to grow and gain a wide range of skills in different areas of speech-language pathology in an adult setting.

Laela Halak

Placement Setting: School
Graduation Year: Fall 2026

Can you describe a specific moment during your field placement when you felt: "I am in the right profession"?

One moment that stood out to me was during a session when my student successfully used a word independently after several trials of modeling and support. Seeing their excitement and increased confidence in that moment made the impact of my role feel very real. It reminded me that even small progress can be meaningful, and I felt a strong sense of purpose knowing I was helping someone communicate more effectively. That experience made me feel like I am in the right profession.

What client population did you work with, and what did you learn from them that you couldn't have learned from a textbook?

I worked with children ages 3–5, and I learned that every child develops and communicates in their own unique way. Unlike what textbooks show, progress was not always linear, and engagement depended heavily on the child’s mood, interests, and environment. I also learned how important play, patience, and flexibility are in building connections and supporting communication. These real-life interactions taught me how to adjust in the moment and respond to each child as an individual, which is something I couldn’t fully learn from a textbook.

If you could go back to your first day at the site, what would you say to yourself?

I would tell myself to be patient and not expect perfection right away. It’s okay to feel unsure at first because confidence comes with experience. I would also remind myself to stay flexible, focus on building connections with the children, and trust the process, since growth happens over time.

Ashley Quinto

Organization and Title: NYC DOE, Speech-Language Pathologist

What stands out to you regarding the level of preparation and professionalism NYU CSD students bring to your field placement compared to other CSD graduate programs?

All of the NYU CSD students that I have supervised conduct themselves in a professional manner. They are well-prepared and ready to learn each day. They are eager to jump in and start treating students; after a week or so of observation, they often dive in immediately to begin working with my students. They are open to feedback and seamlessly integrate suggestions into their practice.

In my experience, the NYU CSD students are incredibly effective at translating their classroom learning into real-world clinical application. An area that stands out is with clinical writing. They write goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely. They write reports that are detailed and objective. Another area that they use from their classroom learning is evidence-based practice. The students select strategies and plan activities that not only support students in meeting their goals, but are grounded in research.

Success in this field requires more than just showing up. How did your student demonstrate the specific level of commitment required to succeed at your field placement?

A: My CSD students demonstrate the specific level of commitment required to succeed at my field placement by being incredibly thoughtful and meticulous. By the end of the semester, they are independently developing session objectives and plan therapy activities that effectively target students’ IEP goals, from improving speech intelligibility to supporting social communication skills for autistic learners. They plan activities and prepare materials tailored to students’ developmental level and the skill needed to advance the student towards meeting their IEP goals, efficiently meeting students where they are at.

It is clear that the NYU CSD program trains students to not just be participants, but active learners; my students often pose thoughtful questions and engage in reflection to adapt their practice. While the field placement requires a significant time commitment both during and after field placement hours, my CSD student handles the workload efficiently. They have strong time management skills and balance session planning and clinical note writing with ease.

Laurie Wennerholm

Organization and Title: NYU Langone, Clinical Specialist: Head and Neck Cancer Care/ Dysphagia

If a colleague asked why you choose to supervise students from the NYU CSD program, what would you tell them?

My experience supervising NYU CSD students is "rewarding and energizing" - I am required to stay as current as possible, and these students ensure that I do so. As seasoned clinicians - we should be training the next generation of students, and these individuals are our legacy in many ways. I am proud to be a part of their training. Mostly NYU CSD students are industrious and take initiative. That is part of the NYU culture. It is taught early on and often. It shows.

I know a student is from the NYU CSD program when I see…

Professionalism, courtesy and respect

Biana Beller

Organization and Title: NYC DOE, Speech-Language Pathologist

What stands out to you regarding the level of preparation and professionalism NYU CSD students bring to your field placement compared to other CSD graduate programs?

NYU CSD students consistently arrive well-prepared, organized, and receptive to feedback. They are motivated and reflective!

I continue to partner with NYU CSD year after year because...

I continue to partner with NYU CSD students because their students consistently demonstrate strong clinical skills, professionalism, and a commitment to growth!

Wesley Nicholson

Organization and Title: Speech Guy, LLC, Speech-Language Pathologist

The biggest value an NYU CSD student brings to our clinical team is…

The biggest value an NYU CSD graduate intern brought to our clinical team this year was her dependability, eagerness to learn, and genuine compassion toward the children she serves.

Clinical work requires immense stamina. How did your student demonstrate the resilience needed to navigate the complexities of your field placement?

Showing up is the most important step to us, and our NYU CSD graduate intern consistently arrives early or right on time - we can count on that. She also goes the extra mile in using creativity in the sessions.