June 23, 2025
It was an exciting and impactful spring for Columbia College’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) program, marked by hands-on learning, community engagement, and meaningful experiences for future clinicians and the families they serve.
One of the season’s highlights was Koala Camp, a free, interactive mini-camp held in May for children ages 18 months to three years with speech and language delays and their caregivers.
Over three weeks, campers and their grown-ups gathered on campus to learn early American Sign Language (ASL) alongside Columbia College faculty and students. Each 60-minute session combined play-based learning, music, and bonding, offering a supportive environment for building early communication skills.
The final day of camp ended on a high note with a joyful “graduation” celebration, complete with smiles, photo ops, and plenty of proud moments. Thanks to generous scholarships, Koala Camp was offered at no cost to participating families, and we were thrilled to welcome 10 wonderful families into this special experience.
Earlier in the semester, the SLP program hosted its annual SLP Day on March 13, welcoming prospective students and community members to campus for a deep dive into the profession and the Columbia College experience. The event featured a powerful lineup of speakers, including adult SLP Joy Kinney and pediatric SLP Marley Costin, who shared real-world insights into the impact of their work. Attendees explored career pathways, met current students and faculty, toured the campus, and received free hearing screenings during a robust day of programming.
Together, Koala Camp and SLP Day reflect the heart of Columbia College’s SLP program: equipping students with hands-on experience while serving our broader community with compassion and purpose.