EPICS Scholars Discuss End of Year 4 Activities

by Guam CEDDERS
May 8, 2019: The Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Project, which allows Guam and CNMI Scholars to be enrolled in San José State University’s (SJSU) graduate program in Speech Language Pathology through online and on-site classes, is ending the fourth year of the project. Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, SJSU Professor Emerita and EPICS Project Coordinator, was on Guam from May 7-13 to meet with various stakeholders regarding program and student status in addition to Year 5 plans and activities. Dr. Weddington also met with 15 of the Guam Scholars, nine of which are scheduled to complete an eight-week externship in San José, California starting on June 10. Also attending the meeting were Keokia Mendiola, MA, CCC-SLP, and SJSU Clinical Supervisor and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS EPICS Consultant/Guam on-site Liaison.
May 9, 2019: EPCIS representatives met with officials from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island (CNMI) Public School System (PSS) Special Education Program to discuss program and scholar status along with events and activities being planned for Year 5 of the project. Attending the meeting were Front Row (L-R): Keokia Mendiola, MA, CCC-SLP, SJSU Clinical Supervisor. Back Row (L-R): Donna Flores, CNMI PSS Special Education Program Personnel and Compliance Monitor Program Manager; Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Professor Emerita and EPICS Project Coordinator; Nora Pangelinan, CNMI PSS Special Education Data Management & Compliance Program Manager; Suzanne Lizama, CNMI PSS Special Education Program Director; and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS EPICS Consultant/On-Site Liaison.
May 9, 2019: The Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Pathology (EPICS) Project, which allows Guam and CNMI Scholars to be enrolled in San José State University’s (SJSU) graduate program in Speech Language Pathology through online and on-site classes, is ending the fourth year of the project. Gloria Weddington, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, SJSU Professor Emerita and EPICS Project Coordinator, met with CNMI scholars on Saipan to discuss current project status, upcoming summer practicum placement, and courses for the final year of the program. Joining Dr. Weddington in the meeting were Keokia Mendiola, MA, CCC-SLP, SJSU Clinical Supervisor and Terrie Fejarang, Guam CEDDERS EPICS Consultant/On-site Liaison. Shown in the photo are: (L-R): Keokia Mendiola, Tricia Taitano, Ignacio Dela Cruz, Dr. Weddington, and Cathy Ruszala. Not shown: Terrie Fejarang.
May 10, 2019: (L-R): Sybil Crisostomo, CCC-SLP, Speech Pathologist at Guam Regional Medical City and Dr. Weddington, also met to discuss EPICS Project activities and upcoming events. Not Shown: Terrie Fejarang.
May 12, 2019: Dr. Weddington, Keokia Mendiola, and Terrie Fejarang met with Jon Fernandez, Superintendent of the Guam Department of Education. The timeline for the final year of the EPICS Project was discussed, along with some of the challenges encountered by the scholars with regard to earning practicum hours. Superintendent Fernandez expressed his support in exploring possible solutions and is looking forward to graduation and the day the scholars would be available to put their skills directly to work to meet the needs of the children of the school district.
May 8, 2019: (L-R) Robin Malicsi, Guam Department of Education Speech Clinician, met with Dr. Gloria Weddington to discuss her next steps for completing SJSU’s Master’s Degree program requirements.
EPICS Interdisciplinary Pre-Service Preparation