Marissa Greene found a way to marry language to her love of helping others

Marissa Greene graduated with her masters in science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2017. She is originally from Sharpsburg, GA. She first received a B.S.Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia.

What made you choose Georgia State University and the College of Education & Human Development?

I chose this University because it offered me the opportunity to learn in a diverse and unique setting. I knew that at Georgia State, I would be learning from accomplished professionals and would have clinic experiences that I wouldn’t be able to experience anywhere else.

Why did you choose the Communication Sciences and Disorders program?

I was originally interested in becoming an audiologist. The undergraduate coursework requirements were the same for students studying speech-language pathology and audiology. When I was accepted into my undergraduate program I expected to be more drawn to my hearing courses, but I instantly felt a connection to the material I was studying in my speech and language courses. I quickly became passionate about becoming a speech-language pathologist because it combined my interest in language to my love of helping others.

What are your research interests while in school and career goals after graduation?

While in school, I find myself trying to absorb all of the information that I can about my future career. I am especially interested in studying child language development and hope to work with children as a speech-language pathologist in either a school or clinical setting after graduation.

Who has had the biggest influence on your academic and/or career trajectory at the College of Education and why?

Dr. Debra Schober-Peterson has been an incredibly positive presence in the College of Education & Human Development in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. She is dedicated to instructing students in the field that she is passionate about. She encourages the students in our cohort to do our best, but also encourages us to acknowledge that there is always room for improvement. Because of her classes, I have realized how much I enjoy studying language development.

Tell me about something you did in class or on a project?

One of the most interesting and informative experiences that I’ve had so far at the University was to tour the Center for Advanced Brain Imaging (CABI) and watch a professional perform an MRI. In our Acquired Aphasia class, we had been learning about the brain and how it functions, so getting to see images of a brain at work in real time was really fascinating.

What clubs, activities or hobbies do you have outside of the classroom?

I have three pets at home: a cat named Figaro and two dogs named Loki and Sue-Lin. Outside of the classroom, I am a member of CommunicAID+Nation at Georgia State, as well as the Georgia State chapter of the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. I belong to this organization at the national level, as well. Off campus, I enjoy volunteering at a farm that works with children who have various disabilities.

Are you a first generation college student?

I am not a first generation college student, but I am the first in my family to pursue a master’s degree.

What do you like best about attending a downtown university?

Attending college in downtown is like nothing I experienced while earning my undergraduate degree. It’s so much busier! The city is fast-paced, which keeps me on my toes. I love that I’m surrounded by (and learning from) such a diverse population every day. People of varying backgrounds come to Atlanta, so I have the opportunity to learn from individuals with experiences much different than my own.

What has been your biggest challenge in your work as a student?

The biggest challenge I’ve come to face as a student so far has been learning how to become a trained clinician. I am currently in my first semester of providing speech and language therapy to clients in the Georgia State University Speech-Language-Hearing clinic. I’ve come to accept that learning the material in the classroom and practically applying those concepts in therapy are totally different. Translating what you know into what you do in therapy is more difficult than one would expect. Therapy often appears to be much less work than it actually is!

What has been your biggest accomplishment since you’ve been a student here?

Coming into graduate school, I felt the need to establish myself as a successful student, and I think I’ve done just that while also learning a lot about myself. In a few short months I have already grown leaps and bounds as an individual, which I know will lead me to becoming a better speech-language pathologist in the future.

What is your favorite quote?

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” —paraphrased from a Japanese book on Buddhism called “The Teaching of Buddha.”