On the Fast Track to Her Goals

Junior Amina Irfanullah ’27 is taking the fast lane to her degree and getting a jump-start on her career as part of the Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) Accelerated Program at Elmhurst University. In just five years, she’ll achieve what often takes much longer: earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and become a certified speech-language pathologist.

The fast-track program puts Irfanullah closer to her goal of helping people with speech, language and swallowing disorders.

“After I graduate with my master’s, I’m hoping I can get a spot in a hospital or do my clinical fellowship here in a hospital setting because I want to be there with stroke patients or pediatrics in the NICU when they have trouble swallowing,” said Irfanullah, a commuter student from Glen Ellyn, Ill. “I want to be there and be able to help them.”

Irfanullah’s path exemplifies how finding an ideal blend of challenging academics and a supportive community like Elmhurst University can accelerate your growth and purpose.

Finding Her Fit and Flourishing

Before committing to Elmhurst University and speech pathology, Irfanullah had considered several fields of study and schools. She had a range of interests: medicine, neuroscience, engineering and computer science among them. A closer examination of her choices and a fruitful conversation with her mother led Irfanullah to speech language pathology and, eventually, Elmhurst University.

The accelerated CSD program drew her to Elmhurst, but it was an introductory class that sold Irfanullah on her career choice.

“When I came here, I took the intro to CSD class, and I was like, ‘Yes, this is definitely what I want to do,’” Irfanullah said.

The course’s experiential learning helped her realize the field was an ideal combination of her interests in medicine and science and her innate desire to help people.

Throughout the CSD program, students have ample opportunities to gain experience and skills and complete clinical practica, both in the on-campus Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic and in external placements such as schools, hospitals, clinics, nursing and residential care facilities, and private practices.

In the program, Irfanullah is part of a five-person group of students that will advance through the accelerated program together, providing them with a chance to develop skills holistically as a cohort. Irfanullah said being part of the small group of students has enhanced her experience at Elmhurst, both academically and personally.

“The people that surround you really help when school gets tough or things are going on,” she said. “To have them to lean on is nice, and at least you have those connections. In a smaller classroom, you get to know everybody better, and then they’re also just so accepting of you.”

Thriving in the Classroom and on Campus

Academically, Irfanullah has excelled. She’s part of the Honors Program and earned a spot on the Dean’s List in the past Spring Term. Her classroom success goes beyond her major courses, illustrating Elmhurst’s promise of holistic development. In her first-year seminar, Irfanullah “just loved” delving into Plato’s Republic with philosophy professor Katrina Sifferd, the Genevieve Staudt endowed chair in the Department of Philosophy. She also was inspired by the biomedical ethics course she took with Professor Russell Ford, chair in the Department of Philosophy. It provided knowledge and skills that she’ll carry into her professional life.

“I love learning about different ethical theories and things like that,” Irfanullah said. “I was thinking about studying more about medical ethics. … I would love to incorporate that into my future career.”

Outside of her studies, Irfanullah is active in clubs and the overall campus community. She is president of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, represents commuter students in the Student Government Association and participates in Muslim Students Association events. She also contributed an article to The Leader, Elmhurst’s student newspaper, which ties into her passion for writing. Whether it’s poems, letters or short stories, she said, writing serves as a personal outlet, allowing her to explore her creative side.

She emphasizes that despite its smaller size, Elmhurst provides competitive opportunities for scholarships, study abroad and internships, ensuring that students like her are well-equipped to flourish in their fields. Her own journey is a testament to this, as she’s supported by scholarships such as the Presidential Scholarship, Early Action Scholarship, First Generation Grant and the 1871 Award.

Together, the experiential learning and access to networks, resources and services are preparing Irfanullah for what’s next. One resource, the Weigand Career Center for Professional Excellence (WCCPE), not only helps her plot her professional future but also provides valuable hands-on experience since she works there as a peer resident.

“That’s definitely a really good resource for figuring out your career if you’re still undecided, if you’re looking for internships or trying to figure out what you want to do in your future,” Irfanullah said.

Envisioning Future Journeys

As she thinks about life after Elmhurst, Irfanullah sees herself working as a speech-language pathologist internationally. No matter where she ends up, she wants to help disadvantaged communities, a mission Elmhurst nurtures with a curriculum that prepares students for meaningful and ethical contributions to a diverse, global society.

But first, Irfanullah has her studies at Elmhurst — and she’s looking forward to what’s ahead. She is excited about the recent opening of the new Health Sciences Building, which is the new hub for the nursing, public health, occupational therapy, and communication sciences and disorders programs. The modern facility features cutting-edge tech, including a simulation space and virtual reality lab, and houses the new Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, along with classrooms, offices and labs. It gives students like Irfanullah hands-on learning opportunities, skills for enduring success and a professional edge after graduation.

Perhaps most importantly, Irfanullah expects to make more memories and build more friendships before she sets off on her post-Elmhurst adventure.

“Even though I’ve only been here for a year, I just know that I’ll remember this place,” she said.  “I’ll remember the teachers, and I’ll probably make lifelong connections.”

Building Lifelong Relationships

For Irfanullah, building a community of friends and mentors for life is important. She thinks Elmhurst’s intimate community fosters those types of relationships and wants future students to know all about it.

“Elmhurst is a community, and if you’re going to come here, then this community is probably going to stay with you for the rest of your life,” she said. “Everybody that I meet is so nice, and I feel a connection with almost everybody even if they’re not in my major. … It’s the missing puzzle piece — it just clicks.”

Go Far. Do Well. Visit elmhurst.edu/Admission to take the first step toward your future.