Students come to college to prepare for their future careers, but the lessons learned often extend beyond the classroom. At Samford University, many students also find a community that shapes them personally, spiritually and professionally.
For Anna Garrett, those relationships became one of the defining parts of her undergraduate experience in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and ultimately influenced her decision to continue into Samford's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program.
"Oftentimes, the assumption in an academic environment is that competition will exist," Garrett said. "My experience was the most intentional, inclusive, supportive and fun friend group I have ever been a part of."
Treating every person as an individual is a cornerstone of the School of Health Professions' Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Guided by Philippians 2:3-5, faculty encourage students to lead with humility, serve others and build meaningful relationships with those around them.
That sense of community was present throughout Garrett's undergraduate experience. Through group projects, collaborative test preparation and department events, faculty intentionally created opportunities for students to support one another while reminding them of their shared purpose of serving Christ.
"We are each pursuing careers that involve the healing work of God in the health professions, and that was obvious in how excited we already were to see God move in each other's lives," Garrett said.
Throughout her four years, classmates studied together, prayed before exams and celebrated milestones inside and outside the classroom. They shared cupcakes before classmates studied abroad, displayed engagement photos before class and planned beach trips, movie nights and other gatherings that strengthened friendships beyond the classroom.
Outside the classroom, Garrett found additional opportunities to build those relationships through Samford's chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, or SUNSSLHA. As chapter president, she helped create opportunities for students to connect through service projects, professional development and social events. Her leadership was recognized during her senior year with a Samford Student Leader Spotlight Award.
"These friendships that started as group projects or questions about assignments are now the centerpiece of my community," Garrett said.
When it came time to choose a graduate program, continuing at Samford felt like the natural next step. Faculty who invested in her growth, opportunities to lead and conduct research, and the community she found as an undergraduate gave her confidence to continue preparing for a career as a speech-language pathologist.
"I have felt supported and loved by my cohort throughout our academic pursuits," Garrett said. "I am confident that we will continue to uplift each other as we enter the workforce."
As she begins graduate school, Garrett looks forward to building on the relationships that first convinced her Samford was where she was meant to be.
