Awards and Recognition
Pearce Awarded Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences Award
The Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) has selected Moriah Pearce, graduate student in Georgia Southern University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate program, as a recipient of a student fellowship. Pearce is one of 12 students selected nationwide for this highly competitive honor, which recognizes exceptional dedication to the study of neurologic-based communication disorders.
The ANCDS student fellowship award offers recipients a full year of membership to the academy, complimentary registration to the ANCDS annual scientific meeting and exclusive access to a personalized mentorship program. Through these opportunities, Pearce will be able to deepen her knowledge and skills by connecting with a mentor specializing in neurogenic communication disorders.
“This opportunity will provide me with the ability to connect with other individuals interested in neurogenic communication disorders, as well as connect with a member mentor,” stated Pearce.
Pearce applied for the fellowship in June and was thrilled to be selected.
“I am excited to take part in numerous learning experiences through their mentorship program and conference.”
After graduation in May of 2025, Moriah plans to work with individuals affected by Parkinson’s disease, focusing on the treatment, advocacy and research of neurogenic voice disorders.
Wilson Presents on Coaching Leadership at USA Basketball Coach Academy in Atlanta
This past September, Charles “Hal” Wilson, Jr., professor in the Department of Health Sciences and Kinesiology, was invited to speak on coaching leadership at the USA Basketball Coach Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. This marks Wilson’s 10th invitation to present at a USA Basketball event, having served as a speaker for the organization since 2015, with engagements across the nation.
The USA Basketball Coach Academy is a premier coaching clinic featuring both on- and off-court sessions focused on game strategies, skill development, practice planning and coaching leadership. The event draws top coaches from the NBA, collegiate level and beyond, providing an invaluable learning and networking opportunity for coaches of all levels.
“It is an honor to support USA Basketball’s commitment to growing the game through coach development,” said Wilson. “This mission aligns perfectly with Georgia Southern University’s nationally accredited coaching minor and Master of Science in Kinesiology, with a concentration in coaching education. The 200 coaches in attendance from around the country and the world mirror our master’s program, which attracts students from nearly 40 states and countries. Sport is a universal language, and coaches have a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to create positive environments for their athletes.”
Wilson’s continued involvement with USA Basketball and his leadership at Georgia Southern reflects his dedication to advancing the profession of coaching. His expertise in coaching education continues to inspire coaches worldwide, contributing to the growth of basketball and the development of impactful leaders in sports.
Bradshaw Honored with Georgia Judicial Award for Presentation on Speech-Language Impairments
This past August, Janet Bradshaw, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ACUE, associate professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, was awarded the Georgia Judicial Award for her presentation titled “Important Topics when working with Speech-Language Impairments: Evaluations, Receptive/Expressive Disorders, and Social Communication Skills” at the Georgia Office of State Administrative Hearings Conference.
The conference, held in Athens, Georgia, aimed to provide continuing education for law officers across the state, including judges who manage cases involving child advocacy, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates in schools, and children and families with diverse communication needs. Bradshaw’s presentation offered valuable insight on how to navigate these critical issues when working with children who have speech-language impairments, helping judges better understand the evaluation processes and complexities of receptive, expressive, and social communication disorders.
“It was an honor to receive the Georgia Judicial Award,” said Bradshaw. “I appreciated the opportunity to share my training as a speech-language pathologist, clinician and researcher, and provide resources to support the Georgia judicial system. This experience with interprofessional collaboration that focused on child advocacy was just as impactful for me as those I shared my research with.”
Bradshaw’s recognition further underscores her commitment to bridging the gap between speech-language pathology and the legal system, ensuring that children with communication disorders receive the support they need within the judicial process.
Georgia Southern Student Awarded $5,000 National Scholarship for Radiation Therapy Studies
Radiation therapy student Adrianna Harper is one of six students awarded a national scholarship by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Foundation.
The Elekta Radiation Therapy Scholarship, established in 2006 by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), provides financial support to students who are committed to a career in radiation therapy.
“This scholarship has lifted an immense amount of weight off of my family’s shoulders,” said Harper. “Due to the generosity of Elekta and the ASRT Foundation, I now have an opportunity to complete the remainder of my program without the burden of financial stress.”
The $5,000 scholarship will help support Harper’s educational expenses, allowing her to focus more on her studies and practical training.
“With financial obstacles out of the way, I can fully focus my attention towards succeeding in my academic endeavors. The additional funding from this scholarship will ultimately help me as a professional. Since I will be able to more fully focus my attention on my academics, I will sequentially have a more solid foundation of knowledge moving forward into my career as a radiation therapist.”
Awarded annually based on a rigorous selection process that considers academic achievements, leadership qualities, passion for the discipline and career goals, this accolade is a testament to Harper’s outstanding academic performance and unwavering commitment to advancing the field of radiation therapy.
“This scholarship has motivated me as I begin to make the transition into my first clinical rotation. Knowing that my hard work and dedication has been recognized by Elekta and the ASRT Foundation has instilled a sense of pride and motivation within me. I am very grateful for this opportunity and am honored to be a scholarship recipient. This scholarship has made me even more eager to join this field, now that I can first hand see the support that I will be surrounded by in this community.”
After graduation, Harper plans on taking the skills and knowledge she has obtained from Georgia Southern University and work in an oncology center as a radiation therapist. Additionally, Harper aspires to work on the philanthropy side of oncology and assist with fundraising events to raise funds to support cancer patients across the nation.
RiteCare Center, communication disorders students receive financial awards from Scottish Rite Masons
Georgia Southern University’s RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders recently received a boost from the Scottish Rite Masons when the organization made an $11,500 donation to the center. The group also awarded two scholarships to graduate students in the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSDS) program.
Madison Morgan and Jessica Grim each received a $1,000 scholarship based on their outstanding academic and clinical abilities to put toward their tuition expenses.
“Receiving this scholarship meant so much to me,” Morgan said. “The Scottish Rite Masons do so much for the Rite Care Center, so to receive a scholarship from them was such an honor. It also showed me that my hard work has paid off and it encouraged me to keep working hard throughout this program.”
Morgan, who is from Brooklet, Georgia, received her undergraduate degree in special education from Georgia Southern while Tybee Island resident Grim earned an undergraduate degree in communication sciences and disorders.
Grim was also grateful to be selected as a scholarship recipient.
“Receiving this scholarship from the Scottish Rite meant the world to me,” she said. “I was incredibly grateful to be nominated for the scholarship by our clinical coordinator at the RiteCare Center (RCC). I am genuinely thankful to the RCC and the Scottish Rite Savannah chapter for what they do for our campus clinic and the ability to get hands-on experience immediately during my first semester of graduate school.”
The RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders at Georgia Southern is the primary RiteCare facility in the Savannah area and is supported by an annual contribution from the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Savannah Valley in keeping with the national philanthropic program of the Scottish Rite Masons to support speech and hearing clinics.
The support of the Scottish Rite allows the Center to offer speech therapy services to the Savannah community. Additionally, services offered by the RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders are provided by graduate students in the CSDS program who are supervised by experienced licensed and certified speech-language pathologists.