Erin Bowens pursues her passion and develops skills in speech-language pathology.
Erin Bowens, a native of Memphis, Tennessee, does not feel as if she chose Ole Miss, but that Ole Miss chose her. After all, the University of Mississippi has felt like home to Bowens since she was a child.
“My mother, sister, aunt, uncle and family friends all attended the university, so when it was time to decide on where I would attend college, it felt like I was joining an extension of those that I love,” she said.
Bowens chose to pursue her dreams of helping people with communication disorders learn to communicate effectively with confidence by majoring in communication sciences and disorders.
“I have family members that have been in speech therapy; I was amazed at how much they progressed,” Bowens said. “I am inspired by knowing that my work can help someone become their most confident self.”
“I am inspired by knowing that my work can help someone become their most confident self.”
Erin Bowens
While Bowens worked as a research assistant in the School of Applied Sciences, she completed her thesis in the university’s Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College about providing parent-led intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder.
“I was able to teach parents techniques that could help them better connect with their child and foster a more productive environment for communication,” she said.
Along with being involved in the Honors College, Bowens was also a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society, National Pan-Hellenic Council executive board, National Society for Leadership and Success, Who’s Who 2022 and Golden Key throughout her time at Ole Miss.
Bowens decided to do her honors thesis under the supervision of Ying Hao, assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders.
“During the past two years, Erin practiced her research and clinical skills in various ways, including but not limited to, implementing telepractice sessions, organizing language sample data, doing language sample analysis using different software, conducting literature review and writing a thesis,” Hao said. “In this process, I have been very impressed by her great attitudes and her exceptional task and time management skills.
“Beyond these research experiences, she is a very strong student in her coursework with perfect GPA (3.98), which shows her commitment and abilities in managing her coursework.”
Bowens’ academic achievements led her to being a nominee for a Taylor Medal, the highest academic award at the university. Bowens says she is honored to be a Taylor Medal nominee.
“To be in consideration with some of the best that Ole Miss has to offer is a privilege that I do not take lightly,” she said. “I am very grateful to be a part of a program that nurtures me academically and recognizes my work and growth.”
Bowens plans to continue her education at the University of Memphis, pursuing a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders starting in the fall.
“I wanted to pursue my master’s degree in the subject to further develop my skills as a clinician and improve the overall quality of life of those that I work with,” Bowens said.
“The more knowledge that I acquire, the more I can support those in need.”
Erin Bowens
Pursuing a master’s degree will give her the tools she needs to be an expert in her field.
“I want to continue to develop my passion and expand my understanding of speech-language pathology,” Bowens said. “I have been fortunate to have some amazing instructors throughout my academic career, and I hope that with this degree, I can eventually coach future SLP students in the same capacity.”
Her biggest supporters have been family, friends and faculty who have been there when she needed someone to talk to about the challenges that come with being a college student.
“My research adviser, Dr. Ying Hao, has coached me on how to be a better researcher and has provided me with the tools that I need to be a better student and professional,” she said.
Only 4.2% of speech-language pathologists are people of color, and Bowens worried at first that she was on the wrong career path and struggled with feeling that she belonged.
“As I continued to grow personally and academically, I knew that I belonged here at Ole Miss and especially in this program,” Bowens said.
By Cameron Smith, School of Applied Sciences
