Scholars participating in the EPICS (Educating Pacific Island Clinicians in Speech Language Pathology) Project attended a “Meet and Greet” event on November 6. This was the first opportunity for Guam-based scholars to meet face-to-face and also discuss issues with program faculty.
The EPICS Project is a Special Education Personnel Preparation Project based at San Jose State University, in collaboration with Guam CEDDERS. Participants, referred to as “scholars,” who come from American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam, were selected to work towards a Masters Degree in Speech & Language Pathology primarily through an online format.
EPICS scholars listen intently and take notes during the “Meet and Greet” held on November 6 at the GSAT Center.Dr. Wendy Quach, San Jose State University faculty and EPICS Co-PI is shown at the top of this screen shot in WebEx responding to a question. Also shown are (clockwise middle left): Dr. Quach, Dr. Weddington (partially hidden), Kathy Ruzala, Tricia Taitano, and Diane Sapida.EPICS scholars who attended the on-site “Meet and Greet” included: Seated L-R: Megan Merfalen, Tatiana Perez, Lisa Eclavea, Aileen Serrano, and Camille Gonzales. Standing L-R: Joseph Mendiola, John Payne, Christina Coles, Meagan Terlaje, Gabrielle Duenas, Diane Sapida, Lillian Reyes, Cassandra Dimla, Bobbie Obillo, and Arthur Abuda. Scholars also attending the meeting via WebEx were Jasmine Advani-Guam, David Gabriel – American Samoa, and from the CNMI – Ignacio Dela Cruz, Kathy Ruszala, and Tricia Taitano. San Jose State University faculty included Dr. Wendy Quach and Dr. Gloria Weddington. Terrie Fejarang from Guam CEDDERS facilitated the event.
