SLP Students to Serve Community Through New Partnership

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at Cal State San Marcos is expanding its reach beyond the classroom thanks to a new partnership with Interfaith Community Services, made possible by an incentive grant for engaged scholarship.

The initiative – led by Laura Coca, director of clinical education – is designed to give students hands-on experience while providing much-needed speech-language pathology (SLP) services to the local community.

“This project is a win-win,” Coca said. “Our students get to apply what they’re learning in a real-world setting, and Interfaith gains access to services that support families and caregivers in meaningful ways.”

Through the partnership, students will collaborate with community members and allied health professionals, offering screenings, support and educational resources. The goal is to strengthen student learning while promoting community well-being.

Alison Scheer-Cohen, chair of the SLP department, said the initiative reflects the department’s commitment to community-engaged scholarship.

“We’re proud to be part of a university that values service and connection,” Scheer-Cohen said. “This partnership bridges academic knowledge with practical service, and it’s a great example of how our students are making a difference even before they graduate.”

The collaboration with Interfaith is expected to enhance access to care for underserved populations while giving students a deeper understanding of the social and cultural factors that shape health outcomes.

“This is about more than clinical skills,” Coca said. “It’s about empathy, communication and building trust with the people we serve.”

The department plans to share outcomes from the project with the campus community, highlighting how engaged scholarship can create lasting impact.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist
bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306