Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at the University of Arizona

Congratulations to the 2026 Multicultural Bilingual Certificate Recipients 🎓

The standard of care just got a little higher! 🎉 The MBCP prepares graduate clinicians in speech-language pathology and audiology to deliver accurate assessment, evidence-informed intervention, and high-quality communication support for multicultural and multilingual populations.

These graduates leave our program equipped with competencies that are in critical demand nationwide and they are already raising the bar. Bear Down, Wildcats!

Learn more about the MBCP → https://slhs.arizona.edu/students/multicultural-bilingual-certificate-program

SLHS is so extremely proud of Alicia Salazar Contreras, recipient of the 2026 Robert L. Nugent Outstanding Senior Award! University of Arizona College of Science

Robert Logan Nugent Award Robert Logan Nugent Award Established by the University of Arizona Alumni Association, the Robert Logan Nugent Award honors the memory of Robert Logan Nugent, who was serving as Executive Vice President of the University at the time of his passing in June 1963. This award recognizes graduating senio...

SLHS was saddened to hear about the passing of Barb Major, a long-time off campus clinical instructor for our graduate students.

Barbara Major Obituary (1949 - 2026) - Legacy Remembers View Barbara Jean Major's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.

Congratulations to Allison Vega on being honored at The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) with James Case Grad Clinician Award!

SLHS is so proud of their students who presented their posters at The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) Annual Convention! Nice work researchers!

Camp time is quickly approaching! Please share far and wide.

Big things are happening in the desert! 🌵 We are so proud of Dr. Arizmendi and the PUENTE Program for their work in the Sunnyside Unified School District. By bridging the gap between community and higher education, PUENTE is helping Arizona students see themselves in careers in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.

We are already reaping the benefits of this partnership. Three PUENTE alumni from the first cohort officially declared SLHS majors and are already pursuing their studies right here at the University of Arizona! We celebrate PUENTE and the BABEL Lab for their dedication to our students and the future of the profession. Bear Down! 🎓🐾

The Pathway for Underrepresented Education and Networking in Training and Empowerment (PUENTE) Program helps students with a variety of perspectives and lived experiences — including bilingual, Latino, and Indigenous students — see themselves working in CSD professions. University of Arizona faculty member Genesis Arizmendi started the program, which is a partnership between the university and Sunnyside Unified School District in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands. PUENTE offers culturally responsive curriculum, near-peer mentorship, early career exposure, and insight into the hidden curriculum of higher education, equipping students with tools to pursue careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.

PUENTE’s initial pilot cohort of 22 high school seniors concluded their journey in the program with a bilingual graduation ceremony and campus visit celebrating identity, language, and potential. A survey revealed students gained familiarity with the professions by more than 125 percent as well as a seven-fold increase in declared interest in the field.

“PUENTE made me think differently about myself as a bilingual student,” one student participant said. Other students have described their PUENTE experience as “inspiring,” “eye-opening,” and “life changing.”

Beyond the cohort, PUENTE reached nearly 200 students and families through school visits and community events, helping broaden awareness of who can belong in CSD careers.

“By fostering deep community-university partnerships and delivering bilingual, inclusive programming, PUENTE has empowered students while advancing equity in health and education systems,” says Arizmendi.

Don't miss this year's The Arizona Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ArSHA) Convention! Some of our clinical faculty members will be there and would love to see you!

The L4 Lab is conducting a remote research study to learn about vocabulary in typically developing 2-year-olds! You can complete the intake form here: https://redcap.link/mx7hdyec or email [email protected]. Please help us spread the word!

Attn SLHS Majors!