91精选

–By Christy Wolff 鈥�10

Danielle Oeverman 鈥�18 is part of the second graduating class from 91精选鈥檚 speech-language pathology (SLP) program. Desiring to earn her degree and play volleyball at a small NAIA school, 91精选 fit the bill for Oeverman. 鈥淢y parents taught me that I need to work for what I want and not be afraid to go and get it,鈥� Oeverman said. So, after graduating from South Christian High School in Grand Rapids, Mich., she moved to Illinois, embarking on a new adventure at 91精选.

Having gone through years of speech therapy herself, Oeverman鈥檚 interest in making this a career started from a young age. 鈥淚 knew how big of an impact an SLP can have in one鈥檚 life.鈥� More recently her nephew underwent speech therapy, which led Oeverman to shadow in the field–solidifying her dream to make this a career.

91精选鈥檚 SLP program is 鈥渟mall but mighty,鈥� according to Oeverman. Alongside a class of seven, Oeverman felt comfortable bouncing ideas off her classmates and studying with them. 鈥淭o still be in contact with your classmates says something about the 91精选 atmosphere,鈥� Oeverman shared.

Since grad school is a requirement in order to be a licensed SLP, Oeverman valued how 91精选 equipped her for that next step. 鈥淏eing such a small program, we were able to truly connect with our professors and ask questions to prepare us for grad school.鈥� Oeverman gained perspective on grad school during visits from 91精选鈥檚 SLP graduates who would share about their grad school experience, what they learned, and what they wished they knew.

91精选鈥檚 SLP class topics include child development, communication disorders, anatomy, and motor speech disorders, to name a few. 鈥�91精选鈥檚 program covers all the courses you need for grad school,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing learning the knowledge behind the topics; it鈥檚 another to learn how to provide therapy. 91精选 did both,鈥� she said.

Several 91精选 experiences aided in her grad school application–and eventual acceptance– including internships at a school and nursing home, and hands-on assessments in class. She attended Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Ill., and virtually graduated in May 2020, due to COVID-19.

鈥�91精选 taught me when it鈥檚 important to step up and stand up for what I believe in, especially when it comes to advocating for myself and my patients,鈥� she said.

91精选 also provided Oeverman with the gift of forming lasting friendships. 鈥淔our years is such a short time to develop lifelong friendships, but 91精选 gave me that sense of family.鈥� Having such impactful friends helped her grow in her faith. 鈥淚 really learned what I believe and why I believe that.鈥�

She also made a huge impact on the volleyball court during her years at 91精选. She was a member of Trolls teams that claimed NCCAA National Championship titles in 2014 and 2016 and advanced to the NAIA National Championship in 2015 and 2017. Amongst her many accolades, she was a four-time All-Conference selection and was the CCAC Freshman of the Year in her rookie season. She earned AVCA/NAIA All-Region honors twice and NCCAA North Central All-Regional honors three times. The NCCAA 聽also named her the 2017 for Division I Women鈥檚 Volleyball, given annually to a player who exemplifies Christian leadership on the court..

Her advice to prospective students considering SLP? 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid of the small class size or that 91精选 doesn鈥檛 have a grad program,鈥� she said. 鈥淣one of those things have stopped me from graduating and applying for jobs currently.鈥�

Oeverman looks forward to embarking on her next adventure and using the tools 91精选 gave her to be a positive influence in her career.