When graduate students step into healthcare settings, confidence and competence make all the difference.
By Andrea Olson
May 11, 2026
Thanks to faculty innovation supported by the Fairway Faculty and Outreach Fund, students in the College of Education are gaining hands-on experiences that closely mirror the realities of today’s clinical environments.
“Because of this award, our trained faculty members will now be able to share their expertise with other instructors, ensuring the impact of this investment extends well beyond the initial participants.” —Sierra Corbin, Assistant Clinical Professor
Assistant Clinical Professor Sierra Corbin is leading an effort to strengthen career readiness for graduate students preparing for medical speech language pathology careers. Through specialized faculty training in fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) and stroboscopy, this project expands instructional capacity by strengthening faculty expertise in advanced, in demand clinical practices. With these new skills, faculty are better equipped to keep instruction current, model real‑world applications, and design learning experiences that more closely reflect today’s clinical environments.
For students, the impact will be meaningful and far-reaching. Exposure to these procedures will connect academic learning with clinical practice, deepen clinical decision-making skills, and build confidence before externships begin. Graduates will enter the workforce better prepared to provide value‑driven care in fast‑changing healthcare settings where productivity, expertise, and adaptability matter.
This investment in faculty development and clinical education builds on the strength of an already exceptional program. The Communication Disorders & Sciences program is housed within the University of Oregon’s College of Education, home to the No. 3 Special Education graduate program in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. CDS is known for its rigorous curriculum, engaged faculty, and hands-on clinical training through the HEDCO Clinic, healthcare simulation labs, and specialty clinical rotations. By integrating advanced diagnostics such as FEES and stroboscopy into this nationally recognized environment, faculty awards help sustain program excellence and ensure graduate training reflects the highest standards of clinical education.
This project reflects how strategic donor investment strengthens education at every level. It prepares graduates for successful, fulfilling careers while supporting program excellence and advancing care for students, patients, and the broader community.
Faculty awards like this are made possible through generous donor support. Learn more about donor investments in faculty excellence, innovative teaching, and graduate career readiness at Give to COE | College of Education. These contributions ensure faculty have the resources they need to stay at the forefront of their fields and create learning experiences that benefit students, the university, and the communities they serve.