Organizations for CSD Students

Multicultural Interest Group

The Multicultural Interest Group provides students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders with opportunities to expand their knowledge about working with individuals from diverse/multicultural populations. The goals of the group are to: 1) increase students' understanding of culture, and the relationships among culture, language, and communication; 2) expand students' cultural experiences both on campus and in the community, and 3) attract students from diverse backgrounds to field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. The ultimate goal of the group is to promote students' insight into other cultures so that students are better prepared to serve clients from backgrounds that differ from their own.

All interested students are welcome to attend the groups' meetings which occur once a month during the semester.

Remaining Meetings for Spring 2008

Tuesday, March 18 6:00-7:00 p.m. 108 Chambers
The group will discuss the book, "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down" by Anne Fadiman. The book describes the cultural misunderstandings that occur between a Hmong family with a young child with epilepsy and the medical professionals who are attempting to help them.

Tuesday, April 8 6:00-7:00 108 Chambers

For more information contact Dr. Carol Hammer at cjh22@psu.edu.

In addition, a Spanish conversational group has been formed. The purpose of this group is to provide students with varying levels of proficiency in Spanish the opportunity to practice their conversational abilities. Please contact Deanna Shelly at dls5013@psu.edu if you would like to participate.

National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA)

The Department strongly supports the Penn State chapter of NSSLHA. All CSD majors are encouraged to join and become active members in the Penn State NSSLHA chapter. The purpose of NSSLHA is to involve students in various activities related to the profession. These activities include attending professional meetings, lectures, and planning and participating in activities dealing with persons of all ages having a communication disorder. For more information, please contact:

Eileen Kowalski: Department of CSD; Penn State University; 501K Ford Building; University Park, PA 16802; (814) 863-3118; EMK15@psu.edu
Kelly Webb: Department of CSD; Penn State University; 308J Ford Building; University Park, PA 16802; (814) 863-3115; KDW5@psu.edu
Meetings:: January 23, 2008; February 6, 2008; February 20, 2008; March 5, 2008; March 26, 2008; April 9, 2008; April 23, 2008; All meetings are in 162 Willard from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

Penn State Sign Language Organization (PSSLO)

The PSSLO is dedicated to spreading deaf awareness to the State College and University Park community. PSSLO provides it members with practice in the art of sign language and instruction on deaf culture during its informal meetings for anyone who is interested. Through informal lectures, movies, and group activities, members are given a better understanding of the hearing impaired, deaf and deaf culture. For more information, please contact:

Sommar Chilton: Department of CSD; Penn State University; 404E Ford Building; University Park, PA 16802; (814) 865-6110; SAH152@psu.edu
Meetings:: February 13, 2008; February 27, 2008; March 19, 2008; April 2, 2008; April 16, 2008; April 30, 2008; All meetings are in 107 Sackett from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

College of Health and Human Development

The College of Health and Human Development sponsors several undergraduate student organizations. For more Information concerning these organizations, contact:

Student Service Center: Penn State University; 215 Henderson Building; University Park, PA 16802; 814-865-2156