At the Pillar of Cedar Valley care facility in Waterloo, Iowa, a small group of UNI graduate students are making a big impact — one conversation at a time.

Throughout the spring semester, four students from UNI’s Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) graduate program spent one morning each week at the Pillar of Cedar Valley’s Willowood Unit, an area dedicated to residents with cognitive diagnoses such as dementia. Their mission is simple but powerful: promote healthy social interaction, foster connection, and support communication in a community that’s often underserved and under-resourced.

The partnership is part of a broader initiative by the UNI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders to embed students in real-world clinical settings early in their education. While every student gains experience through UNI’s on-campus Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic, the department also focuses on placements in the community – at local schools, hospitals, nursing homes and more. The Pillar of Cedar Valley collaboration provides a unique opportunity for students to work with adults facing both behavioral and cognitive challenges.

“This experience is unlike anything students get in a traditional clinic,” said Sarah Diehl, a faculty member from the department. “They’re learning how to redirect behavior, ask meaningful questions, and interact in ways that are both supportive and dignified.”

Each student was paired with a resident for the semester, spending time learning about their life stories — family, work history, and personal memories — and helping them organize these details into a visual “life board.” These boards were then presented at the end of the semester, offering residents a tangible, celebratory reflection of their lives and fostering positive self-expression. 

For the residents, the program offers much-needed social engagement in a structured and consistent way. Many do not receive frequent visitors, and structured therapeutic conversations can offer both comfort and stimulation.

“The residents light up every single time the students walk in,” Diehl said. “That shows how meaningful these social interactions are.”

For students, the benefits go beyond clinical credit hours. They gain hands-on experience navigating real-life clinical situations that require flexibility, empathy, and quick thinking. Learning how to support individuals with dementia or behavioral diagnoses helps them build skills they’ll rely on throughout their careers.

Hannah Krejci, one of the Speech Language Pathology graduate students involved in the collaboration, says the placement was a great experience for her, and has opened up new interests and new career path possibilities for her.

“My favorite part about the experience was building rapport with my clients,” she said. “It was so cool getting to see their faces light up when I arrived. It truly made me feel like I was making a difference in their lives. I have always wanted to work at a clinical pediatric setting as that's the setting I volunteered at in high school. After this placement, it has truly made me consider branching out a little bit. These individuals I worked with were so kind. They helped me learn and grow, and I want to continue to learn and grow in the speech-language pathology field so I can help as many people as possible. I'm glad I got the opportunity to be a part of this and am excited to be at a similar location during my internships in the fall.”

The partnership with Pillar of Cedar Valley is just one example of UNI’s commitment to intentional, community-based education. Faculty members continue to seek new placements, ensuring students gain a wide range of experiences across the lifespan and the care continuum.

As for the future? The team is already excited to return to Pillar of Cedar Valley in the fall.

“Our residents have deeply benefited from their compassionate, individualized attention and are truly grateful for the positive impact,” said Kelli Rokusek, Marketing/Admissions Director for Pillar of Cedar Valley. “We look forward to continuing this meaningful collaboration with UNI and building stronger connections that support the well-being and communication abilities of those we serve.”