GA Spotlight - Megan Mays

Hi, my name is Megan Mays, and I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders as well as a certificate in autism spectrum disorders. I will graduate in May 2024 and plan to obtain a job in a school district or pediatric outpatient clinic as a speech-language pathologist. I was born and raised in Los Angeles County, California but have since relocated to Berea, KY. I attended California State University Long Beach for my undergraduate studies and received a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology and worked in California as a speech-language pathology assistant. I am now a full-time student and Graduate Assistant for the Graduate School Office.

Why did you choose EKU?

Coming from a family of educators, I knew I wanted to go into education at a very young age. In high school, I participated in some job shadowing opportunities. These experiences allowed me to fall in love with speech-language pathology and the intricacies of the field. Soon after I graduated with my undergraduate degree and began working in the field, I knew I wanted to pursue a master’s degree so that I could continue to advance my skills and career opportunities. I began researching the countless schools that offer the program but knew I wanted to be in a small community and cohort where the professors know your name and have a good relationship with their students. Kentucky’s reputation for kind people and welcoming small towns came to mind. When I found EKU, I researched the program, school, professors, and surrounding area. EKU’s CSD program is accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and has had a 100% Praxis exam passing rate, 100% employment rate, and 100% completion rate for several consecutive years. This status in a program is what I was looking for along with the in-person externship opportunities we get in our second year of the program. Even though this program is challenging, I have made countless new friends, obtained many mentors that care about my success, and gained unique experiences that will help me be prepared when entering the field after graduation. 

What are some of your duties as a GA and what have you learned through this position?

Some of my duties as GA include managing social media platforms, assisting in office projects, planning and executing graduate school events, creating promotional materials, and more! As the social media manager, I keep students updated on deadlines and events as well as conduct fun giveaways, student spotlights, and holiday announcements. Making social media posts fun, interactive, and up-to-date with current trends is my goal. However, I also participate in office projects and material creation such as updating student informational flyers and creating new materials for current and potential students to utilize. Through this position, I have learned a lot about how to deal with time-sensitive tasks and collaborate with a team to make our products the best they can be. I look forward to learning more throughout my time in the graduate school office and plan to take these skills to any of my future positions. 

Why do you enjoy working for your department specifically?

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here at the graduate school office. All my colleagues have been warm and welcoming and are eager to help me when I need it. Even though I am a GA, I have always been treated as part of the team. My opinions and suggestions are always valued and taken into consideration when making decisions or brainstorming on various projects. This dynamic makes me feel as if I am an equal within the work setting. All my coworkers also greatly value my education and career goals. Therefore, by recognizing that I am a graduate student first, they are willing to work with my schedule and academic work as needed.

Any other comments, tips, or advice for individuals starting graduate school here at EKU?

Graduate school is hard and expensive. However, it does not need to be! I wish someone would have told me about the countless resources that are offered to EKU students such as workshops, campus events, and faculty. Everyone here wants to see the students succeed and is great about finding you the resources you need for the various challenges you may face as a graduate student. The biggest challenge a lot of people face with higher education is the price tag. However, here at EKU graduate assistantships allow students to work part-time, 10-20 hours, and in return receive a stipend as well as reduced tuition! Scholarships are also available to graduate students and their specific programs. With all of that said, what’s holding you back? Nothing! The education, connections, and friendships you gain, during your time at EKU, will stay with you for life.

Published on February 08, 2023