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A Model for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in a Speech Pathology and Audiology Program

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Title: A Model for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in a Speech Pathology and Audiology Program
Language: English
Authors: Elizabeth Oommen, Peggy Joy Goetz, Brian M. Kreisman, Megan Nickelson, Morgan Bykerk
Source: Journal for Multicultural Education. 2026 20(1):55-66.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Higher Education, Case Studies, Audiology, Professional Education, Inclusion, Mentors, Sense of Belonging, Capacity Building, Peer Relationship, Cultural Awareness, Cultural Education, Communities of Practice
Geographic Terms: Michigan
DOI: 10.1108/JME-01-2025-0021
ISSN: 2053-535X
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide details of three initiatives within the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department (SPAUD) at Calvin University. SPAUD recognized the need for initiatives that focused on intentionally enfolding and supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color, international and third culture students in a competitive major like communication sciences and disorders (CSD). These initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practices, specifically: to support retention and empowerment of students through peer mentoring and small group meetings and to equip the department to empower faculty and students to thrive together in the program and in their vocation through capacity-building. Design/methodology/approach: This is a case study paper outlining three initiatives aimed at creating a departmental community that is inclusive and builds skills for engaging across lines of difference. Findings: Students interviewed from the peer mentoring program reported an increased sense of belonging. The capacity-building workshops have been well-attended, and there is an overall positive trend toward increased understanding and appreciation of faculty, students and clients from different backgrounds. Students and faculty who participated in the small group community were able to share their joys and challenges regarding the program as well as provide feedback on what might be further improved. Originality/value: The initiatives presented in this case study paper provide an original model for increasing retention and empowerment and for capacity-building to equip all faculty and students to thrive together within a CSD program, with the aim that other programs can adapt this model to meet the needs of their constituents.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1502716
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: A Model for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in a Speech Pathology and Audiology Program
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elizabeth+Oommen%22">Elizabeth Oommen</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Peggy+Joy+Goetz%22">Peggy Joy Goetz</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brian+M%2E+Kreisman%22">Brian M. Kreisman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Megan+Nickelson%22">Megan Nickelson</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Morgan+Bykerk%22">Morgan Bykerk</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+for+Multicultural+Education%22"><i>Journal for Multicultural Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 20(1):55-66.
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  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 12
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Diversity+Equity+and+Inclusion%22">Diversity Equity and Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Case+Studies%22">Case Studies</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Audiology%22">Audiology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Professional+Education%22">Professional Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mentors%22">Mentors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sense+of+Belonging%22">Sense of Belonging</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Capacity+Building%22">Capacity Building</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Education%22">Cultural Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communities+of+Practice%22">Communities of Practice</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Michigan%22">Michigan</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/JME-01-2025-0021
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
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  Data: 2053-535X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide details of three initiatives within the Speech Pathology and Audiology Department (SPAUD) at Calvin University. SPAUD recognized the need for initiatives that focused on intentionally enfolding and supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color, international and third culture students in a competitive major like communication sciences and disorders (CSD). These initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practices, specifically: to support retention and empowerment of students through peer mentoring and small group meetings and to equip the department to empower faculty and students to thrive together in the program and in their vocation through capacity-building. Design/methodology/approach: This is a case study paper outlining three initiatives aimed at creating a departmental community that is inclusive and builds skills for engaging across lines of difference. Findings: Students interviewed from the peer mentoring program reported an increased sense of belonging. The capacity-building workshops have been well-attended, and there is an overall positive trend toward increased understanding and appreciation of faculty, students and clients from different backgrounds. Students and faculty who participated in the small group community were able to share their joys and challenges regarding the program as well as provide feedback on what might be further improved. Originality/value: The initiatives presented in this case study paper provide an original model for increasing retention and empowerment and for capacity-building to equip all faculty and students to thrive together within a CSD program, with the aim that other programs can adapt this model to meet the needs of their constituents.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1502716
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1108/JME-01-2025-0021
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 55
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Diversity Equity and Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Case Studies
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Audiology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Professional Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusion
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Mentors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sense of Belonging
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Capacity Building
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Awareness
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural Education
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      – SubjectFull: Communities of Practice
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      – SubjectFull: Michigan
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: A Model for Enhancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging in a Speech Pathology and Audiology Program
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