story by David Hoffman
Hannah Griffey, a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in the College of Education & Human Development’s communication sciences and disorders program, has recently been awarded the Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences (ANCDS) Student Fellowship.
This fellowship is given to a select group of graduate students specializing in clinical, neurologically based communication disorders, and it’s something that Griffey’s been working toward for years. As part of the fellowship, recipients are given a one-year membership to the ANCDS, free registration for the organization’s annual scientific meeting and the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors within their field.
“The ANCDS Student Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to network with professionals in the area of adult neurogenic communication disorders, stay current with research and meet other students,” she explained.
This fellowship marks a significant milestone in Griffey’s academic journey, especially since it came after her third attempt to secure it. “The saying ‘third time’s the charm rings true here,” she said. “Each application taught me something new, whether it was refining my proposals, understanding the review process better or developing the resilience to keep pushing forward.”
Her research is focused on improving the lives of individuals with neurogenic communication disorders, particularly those with aphasia, a language disorder that can follow a stroke. Her studies look into the psychosocial aspects of rehabilitation and “how coping strategies, perceived stress and anxiety impact people with aphasia and their care partners.” Through her research, she hopes to offer more information on how communication disorders affect emotional well-being, ultimately improving patient and family care.
This interest in communication sciences and disorders started when Griffey was looking for a way to combine her love of teaching, psychology and medicine into a single career path. “I was fascinated by the intricate ways in which neurological and physical conditions affect communication abilities,” she said.
She also enjoys the therapeutic aspect of teaching and working with clients and their families through the emotional and cognitive challenges of communication disorders.
Griffey’s time at Georgia State has played an important role in her success. She knew after visiting campus and speaking with faculty and students that the university would be a place where she could learn and grow.
“I met with several professors and students who all displayed a conscientious investment in their work,” she remembers. “I knew it was the right fit because the standards held by Georgia State are the same ones that I value, including innovation, critical thinking, accountability, collaboration, excellence, integrity and valuing others.”
She saw those values reflected in the College of Education & Human Development, and her time in her academic program has deepened her understanding of communication sciences and disorders.
“My education in the CEHD has equipped me with specialized expertise in adult neurogenic communication disorders, which has been instrumental in positioning me as a strong candidate for this fellowship,” Griffey said.
For Griffey, receiving the fellowship is a medal of her dedication and perseverance. As she continues her studies, she hopes to use this fellowship and the skills she learns from it to advance evidence-based practices that improve the lives of individuals with communication disorders.
“Securing this fellowship serves as a pivotal milestone, showing that the time, energy and passion I’ve poured into my work are yielding tangible results, enabling me to further contribute to the field and to the communities my research serves,” she said.