Isabel Themann’s Northern Exposure

An enlightening experience made possible by Giving Day donations.

Isabel Themann ’25 came to St. Joseph’s University, New York thinking about a future career as a teacher or an occupational therapist, someone who would use their education and training to help people. Now in her final year, this senior from Sound Beach, NY is thriving as a speech pathology major. Looking forward to graduation this year, she plans to attend graduate school in the New York area and follow her older sister’s career path as a speech pathologist.

Ms. Themann is president of SJNY’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), through which she had one of her most meaningful undergraduate experiences.

Together with several fellow undergraduate students and Associate Professor Lisa Tafuro, Ph.D., she traveled to Boston to attend the 2023 National Convention of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA). It was her first out-of-state trip without her family and her first professional conference. For Ms. Themann, highlights included presentations on new treatments for children with cleft palates or lips as well as new strategies to engage picky eaters and make eating fun for children. She and her fellow students were able to see firsthand the interaction and interconnection between speech pathologists and other professionals, such as nurses, doctors and therapists. In addition, Ms. Themann connected with well-known speakers and vendors that she previously had only seen through Instagram and online.

“This experience really helped me see my studies and my future career path in a new light,” said Ms. Themann. “And it made me want to volunteer to lead the club this year, so others can have the same opportunities.”

The SJNY students’ trip to Boston was supported, in part, by donations raised during Giving Day, the annual event when alumni and friends of the University participate in online crowdfunding to support student ideas and new projects.

When she’s not on campus, Ms. Themann can be found serving up slices with a smile at Branchinelli’s, a restaurant in Mt. Sinai, NY, or enjoying her latest book.

When asked what she’ll miss the most about SJNY, her response was immediate: “the students in NSSLHA—we have formed really great connections, and it’s been great to use my experiences to help younger students in the club.”