May 1, 2025 | Erin Bluvas, bluvase@sc.edu

With a rich Latin American heritage, Celine Benedico’s first language was Spanish, but she regrets that she lost those language skills when she attended an English-speaking preschool in Florida. Thanks to the bilingual clients served by the Montgomery Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and the encouragement of a Spanish-speaking clinician/instructor in the program, the speech-language pathology student is re-embracing the language of her childhood and its ability to help her improve communication for her patients.

After studying communication sciences and disorders at Florida State University as an undergrad, Benedico began looking for master’s programs that would prepare her to become a speech-language pathologist. USC’s small cohort size, onsite clinic and comprehensive curriculum led her to enroll in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders’ (COMD) Master of Science program in 2023.

“The clients at our clinic have a very diverse range of abilities and challenges, including bilingual populations, which was particularly appealing to me,” Benedico says. “USC’s dedication to allowing their students to have hands-on practice has allowed me to develop the skills needed to become an effective clinician and make a difference in the lives of children and adults with communication challenges.” 

In addition to gaining experience at the Montgomery Clinic, private practice, a local elementary school, and a nursing home, Benedico immersed herself in research during her time at the Arnold School – something she recommends students get involved in early on. As a graduate research assistant in COMD professor/chair Jean Neils-Strunjas’ Aging Gracefully Lab, Benedico studied how mindful walking can help older adults prevent cognitive decline.

“Dr. Neils-Strunjas helped me learn different research skills and guided me through the process of data analysis and participant recruiting,” she says. “This type of research is something the undergraduate me would never have guessed I’d be doing.”

Benedico also found a mentor in clinical assistant professor Gina Crosby-Quinatoa, whose support has been crucial in helping her navigate her work with bilingual clients.

“Dr. Crosby-Quinatoa really encouraged me to embrace my Spanish-speaking skills, even when I was initially apprehensive,” Benedico says. “Her guidance has made me more confident in using my bilingual abilities to better serve Spanish-speaking families and has inspired me to pursue this aspect of my career further.”

After graduating in August, the Jennifer Mungo Graduate Student of the Year Award winner plans to work with pediatric populations who have language and communication disorders. She believes her degree from USC has equipped her with the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to assess, diagnose and treat these clients. And she is especially interested in working with bilingual children.

Looking back on her graduate school experience, Benedico points out that getting involved in research – even in unfamiliar areas – can build strong mentorships, develop hands-on skills, and shape long-term career goals. She also recommends connecting with people outside of COMD, particularly because speech-language pathology is an interdisciplinary field and a team effort.

She has loved the experience of attending a college campus in the middle of a vibrant city. With beautiful weather and access to diverse clinical placements and community outreach opportunities, Benedico believes that this unique setting has enriched her education even further.

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