Brooklynn Schelling
Graduation year: 2022
High school: Stillman Valley High School
Hometown: Oregon, Ill.
Majors: Communication sciences and disorders (CSD); Spanish for professional use
Minor: Psychology
Activities: Aphasia Support Group, Augustana Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Best Buddies, Camp Kesem, Chi Alpha Pi sorority, Epsilon Sigma Alpha service organization, Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society
Internships: Student clinician at Augustana’s Roseman Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing; speech-language pathology intern at Sweet Pea's Therapy; research assistant at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas
Post-grad plans: Attend Purdue University to get my master's in speech-language pathology!
Why Augustana?
I chose Augie because I loved the small-school feeling, and I heard about how amazing the CSD program is. I wanted professors and classmates who would push me out of my comfort zone and truly care about me — and that's exactly what I found here!
Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?
When I started college, I had no idea how involved I would be on campus. I have had so many amazing opportunities to explore my interests through the many groups that I am involved in. Each group and experience has played a key role in where I am today
Who helped you get to where you are now?
I have so many amazing people who helped me get to this point. My parents, Madison and Noah, for pushing me to work hard for what I want and always supporting me in school and life. I couldn't have made it to this point without you.
All of my professors for teaching me so much about the field. My advisor, Dr. Haskill, for setting me up with opportunities to grow and helping me get through the grad school application process. My clinical supervisors, Mrs. Lueders and Miss Williams, for supporting me on my journey to become a competent speech-language pathologist and teaching me practical skills that I will use throughout my career.
And finally, all the people who made college more than just school. Katie and Annika — my Welcome Week besties — I could have never made it through the last four years (or honors) without you two constantly lifting me up and making me laugh.
Peak experience?
Being a student clinician at the Roseman Center has been the most educational and rewarding experience I've had while at Augustana. In this role, I get to teach speech and language with clients in our brand new clinic!
Taking what I've learned in the classroom and applying it has given me a deeper understanding of what it means to be a speech-language pathologist. I have developed strong clinical skills that I will use throughout graduate school and my career.
What surprised you?
I never expected to grow in so many ways in only four years. Today I am a different person academically, professionally and socially because of the opportunities I've had here. My freshman-year self would be so excited for everything I've experienced because of Augustana.
How did you use your Augie Choice?
I used my Augie Choice this past summer as a research assistant at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. I lived in Houston, Texas, for 10 weeks while conducting swallowing research and observing speech-language pathologists in the hospital.
What will you miss the most?
I will definitely miss walking along the Slough when the leaves are changing colors and seeing so many friendly faces while walking through the Quad.
More than anything I'll miss the incredible support system that I have here. I'm thankful that I have so many people to lean on here, but I know they will continue to support me even after I leave Augustana.
Advice for the Class of 2026?
Ask professors if they know of any opportunities that you might be a good fit for! Your professors truly care and will help you find experiences to make your time at Augustana really count. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to show you how qualified you are for an internship/experience.
"Brooklynn is an outstanding student with a positive attitude! She is dedicated and focused in the classroom, but always with grace and a smile. She accomplished many great things at Augustana, including being awarded the prestigious Davis Scholarship for academic excellence and outstanding clinical performance and completing a Texas Medical Center internship at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. She successfully presented her research from this internship in our Research Methods course, which was a highlight of her years at Augie!"