Emerson Gaines

Emerson Gaines is a communicative disorders major from Belvidere, IL

Hometown: Belvidere, IL

High School: Belvidere High School

Year: Expected graduation: spring 2025

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I have received two scholarships from NIU. The first is a merit scholarship. I received this scholarship strictly because of my academic achievements. The second scholarship I received is the Cletus G. Fisher endowed scholarship. This prestigious award is meant for undergraduate students studying communicative disorders and for students who have a passion for speech-language pathology. The financial support these scholarships have given me has helped my academic and career advancement and lessened the stress of college. These scholarships have truly granted me the opportunity to focus on my academic and career goals.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
When I was growing up, I wanted to be a multitude of things. I wanted to be in the medical field, to be a teacher, to pursue a career in art, to be a psychologist and more. Now, I am studying communicative disorders to become a speech-language pathologist. The funny thing is that speech-language pathology covers all my previous career choices! It is considered a career in the medical field, I can work in a variety of settings like a hospital or a school, and I can be creative with my intervention. A common theme between these career choices is my passion for helping others.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in communicative disorders and double minoring in deaf studies and rehabilitation counseling. I found speech-language pathology by chance, after countless years of debating what career I wanted to pursue. After a long phone conversation, three hours to be exact, with a family friend who works as a speech-language pathologist in early intervention, I knew I was meant for this career. I had never met anyone with more enthusiasm and passion for their job, and I knew I wanted to feel that, too. I have always known that I wanted to work with people, and I knew that I wanted to be a part of the health care field. Speech-language pathology encompasses both qualities and covers improving the quality of life of individuals with communicative disorders. I enjoy every aspect of speech-language pathology, and I look forward to continuing my education in graduate school.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Something I found pleasantly surprising about my experience at NIU is how invested the professors are in their students. Every professor I have had knew me by name, and they care about all their students. It is admirable that they are so accommodating and genuine. The way that they care about each of their students is a reminder to me how wonderful and exceptional NIU's faculty members are.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I have connected with other students from my program by participating in study sessions and attending NIU events. I also plan friendship-building activities to get to know one another on a personal level instead of just an academic basis. Doing things such as going to the apple orchard, grabbing coffee at Cast Iron Coffee, getting dinner together, movie marathons, etc., are all ways I like to connect with my peers.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am proudly involved in the Communicative Disorders Student Association (COMDSA), a recognized chapter of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA). COMDSA’s mission is to help its members gain personal, professional and academic experience by participating in advocacy events, taking part in leadership opportunities, educating its members about diversity, equity and inclusion, and volunteering within the community. Last year, I was the social media coordinator, and this year I am the president. I oversee the entire club and organize events, plan chapter meetings, and meet with faculty and other guest speakers to discuss ways to educate our members about the field of communicative disorders. A couple events we have planned for this semester include volunteering at GiGi's Playhouse (an organization that supports individuals with Down syndrome), a Trunk or Treat with the Rising Lights Project (an organization that supports adults with disabilities), a book club that stresses the importance of cultural humility, and other social events like going to Jonamac Orchard, a Halloween costume party and more! I am also the vice president of the Intercultural Student Organization. Our mission is to connect with peers from diverse cultural backgrounds, to enhance multicultural competence, and to promote cultural awareness and diversity. A few events we have planned are a campus garbage cleanup, a cultural potluck and a professor panel on cultural humility and competence. I am also the secretary for the Healthy Huskie Student Advisory and Ambassador Committee, meaning I am an outreach coordinator for undergraduates in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Lastly, I am an undergraduate research assistant for Dr. Lindsay Harris and Dr. Allison Gladfelter in the Word Learning and Vocabulary Development in Blind Children project. This research is centered on discovering if there is a difference in word acquisition for blind children versus neurotypical children who are not blind. All these activities added to my experience as a Huskie because I am now extremely involved in the NIU community. I feel a closer connection to my peers and professors, I feel a sense of belonging and I have been able to determine who I am as a person, as well as participate in organizations whose values align with mine.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
I believe that the School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders has helped me to feel safe, supported and successful. All the faculty members are always willing to help me achieve my goals, whether they are big or small. From educating in the classroom, to meeting outside of class, to answering email at 1 in the morning, the faculty in the College of Health and Human Sciences, specifically the communicative disorders faculty, are always willing to help their students succeed.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors is Dr. Milijana Buac, from the communicative disorders program. Dr. Buac is one of the most genuine, most kind and most educated professors/people I know. Not only is Dr. Buac always willing to assist and help her students, but she is also a fantastic educator. In the classes I have been her student in, her teaching style has been proven extraordinarily successful in helping me achieve my academic goals. For undergraduate courses, Dr. Buac teaches COMD 423 - Developmental Speech and Language Disorders and COMD 429 - Assessment Procedures in Communicative Disorders. These two classes have been some of my favorites out of all the COMD courses because Dr. Buac makes them interactive and exciting. She teaches us how to apply our knowledge to real-world scenarios and always stresses how the course relates to our future career. I admire her not only as a professor, but also as a well-respected clinician.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
By attending class regularly, I have built stronger relationships with my peers and professors. I have gained a sense of discipline and self-confidence and gained enthusiasm for the content learned in my classes. It has also promoted high academic achievement and improved my time-management skills. I am deeply passionate about attending class regularly because I am engaging and learning to prepare for my future career.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus and in the community is 100% Cast Iron Coffee. Cast Iron is such a warm, friendly environment with lots of community. It is a fantastic place to study, meet up with friends and grab some delicious coffee. They host many fun events, like study sessions and trivia nights, and they also have themed drinks for the holidays. I recommend the chai latte or any of their signature drinks; they are amazing!

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
The most impactful piece of advice that I have been given is to prioritize and understand your wants and needs. You should consider what you are looking for in a college. What kind of experiences do you want throughout the next four years? Ask yourself important questions related to price rates, location, and academic and career goals.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me for many reasons. The number one reason for me is that it provides me with the resources I need to succeed in my future career. My goal is to be an educated clinician, and a college education is the foundation for that goal. With a college education, I gain professional and leadership experiences, volunteer and participate in the community, and am granted the ability to learn from my peers and colleagues. All these examples align with my morals and values, which is why a college education is important to me.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
A couple of strategies that I use include having an organized, color-coded planner with every important deadline, date, birthday, etc.; designating planned times for activities with family and friends, while also setting aside time during the day for schoolwork; scheduling time for myself at the gym or in my room to rest; and always asking for help. It is never a bad idea to ask for comfort and support! A specific example that has helped me stay on track is designating times for certain activities. I like to take the weekdays to complete my homework, then have the weekends to relax and spend time with my friends and family.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I like to follow as many NIU social media accounts as I can! I also make it a point to take a weekly walk around the whole campus and check out flyers and posters from different organizations. The Holmes Student Center typically has the most posters, so I tend to hang out there.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
My family is honestly my main recharge button; I can always count on them if I need a smile. If I need to relax, I usually spend some time outdoors or engage in some of my hobbies, such as cooking or painting.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I enjoy going on walks around the East Lagoon (especially in spring when all the flowers are blooming), spending time with friends, playing card games, hanging out at Cast Iron Coffee and watching TV. I am currently re-watching “The Office,” and it is truly what I look forward to every night. I also enjoy painting and anything crafty, playing with puzzles and spending time with my family. I also work at Cast Iron Coffee as a barista. The other baristas and I have a lot of fun, and the cozy, upbeat environment brings me a sense of peace, comfort and joy. I love to try fun flavor combinations; I recently made a Samoa Girl Scout cookie iced latte! I love interacting with the customers and getting to know lots of people. Working there has brought out an outgoing side of me that I think would still be slightly hidden if I did not put myself out there.