Sengshavanh Xaypharath

Sengshavanh Xaypharath is a transfer communicative disorders major from Pingree Grove, IL

Hometown: Pingree Grove, IL

High School: Hampshire High school

Year: Expected graduation: Fall 2028

Transfer from: Lewis University

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I chose to attend NIU because of the tight-knit community, all of the clubs and the small class sizes.

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
The financial support I have received through NIU has helped me in more ways than I can count. With the school's support, I can follow my dreams of becoming a speech-language pathologist. The support has allowed me the chance to attain a post-secondary education with the luxury of less financial burden on my family and I, especially my dad, who is helping me pay for my education out of pocket. I received the NIU transfer scholarship, AIM High Transfer Achievement Award and, more recently, the Tri-County Community Health Center endowment. I originally attended an aviation school, and upon transferring to NIU, I was able to receive the NIU transfer scholarship and the AIM High Transfer Achievement Award for my educational achievements, encouraging me to continue my education here. The Tri-County Community Health Center endowment was generously awarded to me by donors from NIU's College of Health and Human Sciences. I'm very grateful for the awards I have been given, as they have not only allowed me to excel academically, but have also given me the energy and opportunity to participate in clubs.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I originally wanted to be an elementary school teacher. As a person of color in a primarily white institution, it was rare for me to meet someone who shared similar cultural values and looked like me, so when I met my fifth-grade teacher, it felt like a gift. He encouraged me to believe in myself and my abilities and to excel in school, and he pushed me to become whatever I wished to be. After that, I decided I wanted to be a teacher, and for the longest time, that's what I set out to do, but like everyone else, my dreams began to change. When it came time to choose my major, or "what I wanted to do for the rest of my life," I was lost. So, I chose something I knew I would be good at, accounting. I went to a completely different university and took all the business and accounting classes I could, forcing myself to stick with it. But no matter how much I studied or how many business events I attended, being an accountant just didn't sit right with me. I could never see myself doing that full time. I decided to loop back to the idea of being a teacher, but that also just wasn't right; I would get overwhelmed too quickly. Doing some digging about jobs working with kids, I found out about speech-language pathology, and ever since, I've just loved it.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is communicative disorders with a minor in special education. I hope to become a speech-language pathologist (SLP) and thought NIU's communicative disorders program was a great choice. I want to give back to the community, and one way I can do that is by becoming an SLP specializing in elementary schools. I want to encourage students who may need a little more help to follow their dreams, to always believe in themselves and to understand they are capable of anything they set their mind to. I will always be there at whatever time of need and will be someone accountable for their duties; someone always willing to put them first. To further achieve my goal, I also decided to minor in special education. As an SLP, I hope to be well-equipped with strategies to help all my students in a school that prioritizes everyone's needs.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
The Huskie bus system has been such an unexpected plus to my experience here at NIU. As a student who lives in a residence hall, the buses here have been such a life saver. They not only take you to and from classes, but also to restaurants nearby, downtown DeKalb, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Aldi, Ross and even the movie theater. If you miss the first bus taking you to class, you’re lucky because the next one will come in 15 minutes. The busing system here is very convenient and something incoming NIU students should consider.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I always try my best to remember that everyone is scared to start a conversation, so be the cool person who does. Remember that people want to meet you and be your friend. So go up to the person you think has a cool outfit on and start a conversation; don't be afraid. During welcome week, use your free time to your advantage and go to everything you can, speak to every person you meet, exchange contacts with people and just put yourself out there. You never know who will become your closest friend at the end of the semester or who will carry on with you into your adulthood, so be open and friendly to everyone. I'm still friends with people I met during welcome week. As for classes, never sit alone. Always sit right next to someone and sit by them for the rest of the semester. Not only can you easily create a friend like that, but also a study partner you can bounce ideas off of and ask for help. Never stop pushing yourself to talk to people and always remember to just take it slow and enjoy every moment.

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 involved in Penguin Players, the Communicative Disorders Student Association (COMDSA), the Latino Student Alliance (LSA) and the Asian American Association (AAA). Penguin Players is a program where NIU students work with adults with disabilities to put on a play or musical. They typically mentor one actor/actress, helping them memorize lines, dances and songs. I can say that I love Penguin Players with all my heart; the community there is so wonderful! Everyone is so kind, funny and hardworking. Every moment I spent there was truly one filled with so much joy. Being a part of Penguin Players has added so much to my experience as a Huskie and gave me something to look forward to every Tuesday/Thursday and at the end of opening night—memories to look back on for a lifetime. COMDSA is a club for people to learn more about communicative disorders and a place for communicative disorders majors to come together to connect. I met so many friends through COMDSA! LSA is the Latino Student Alliance, and AAA is the Asian American Alliance. I was able to meet so many different people through both of these clubs.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
NIU's Financial Aid and Scholarship Office has been great with answering any questions I have about my aid, how to apply for scholarships and how to best navigate loans. Housing and Residential Services has helped with finding roommates, answering questions about how to apply for a room and even with changing meal plans.

Are there transfer-specific resources, offices or services that you use to help you succeed at NIU?
My transfer admission counselor was a great asset to me when it came to transferring to NIU. She helped me organize my next steps and navigate an entirely different college portal. She helped connect me with different social media apps where I could connect with other students and get better acclimated with college life.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
The classes here are small, and all of the professors in the College of Health and Human Sciences are so proficient within their respective fields. They are passionate about the classes they teach and their students. Each and every one of them is approachable and kind. Janet Olson, who taught my COMD 305 class (language development), was one of those professors. You could just hear her beam with excitement every time she talked about a child's babbling or concepts where she could use her nephews/nieces as an example. With Dr. Olson's and other professors’ encouragement, I found myself understanding hard concepts and learning a lot in class.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
I am a visual and auditory learner, so attending class regularly has helped me navigate difficult topics and absorb information better.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is Einstein Bros. Bagels in Founders Memorial Library. It's a cute place to grab a quick breakfast and relax before class. On the second floor of the Holmes Student Center, there is a piano that creates a peaceful and quiet atmosphere that is great for studying. My other favorite spot is probably my dorm's study room. It's a space with a lot of windows and is great for studying when it's too cold out in the winter.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
The advice I would give to a student researching colleges to apply to is to really think about what is important to you. You have to really think about the qualities of a school that are a must for you, whether distance from home, large or small population, Greek life, sports teams, financial aid offer, quality of the program, busing system, etc. You can find friends anywhere, so push yourself to go outside of your comfort zone and take a leap of faith when choosing a college.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is important to me because I believe it is an essential step for me to grow into the person I want to be. It has already helped me become a more confident and well-spoken person, as well as a person who can problem-solve and navigate difficult situations. My mom never got to go to college, so getting a post-secondary education is not only for me, but for my mom as well—something to make her proud. My dad works hard every day to help pay for my education and my sister’s education so we can achieve our dreams. I want to graduate and give them everything they have given me: the world.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
The strategy I use to manage my time between all of my responsibilities is as simple as it sounds: keep a calendar. Having a digital calendar that sends reminders about what time a class starts, when a homework assignment is due, my next club meeting, etc., has kept me on track and organized. An agenda, whether physical or digital, is a wonderful way to keep track of upcoming tests and assignments.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I follow all of NIU's Instagram pages, like @niu_cab. I also attend NIU's involvement fairs, where you can get clubs’ Instagrams and add yourself to their email lists.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
In order to relax and recharge, I take advantage of NIU's student involvement activities like crafting connections on Mondays, yoga/Pilates on Tuesdays/Thursdays and hanging with friends.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
My hobbies include sewing, drawing with pastels, trying out new foods/drinks with my friends, painting nails and dyeing my friends’ hair.