Meet Allison Wong: Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship Winner

By: Sheri Parr

The Association for Women in Communications – Austin Chapter will award Allison Wong the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship at the 39^th Annual Banner Brunch on Saturday, April, 28 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Austin. The Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate excellence in academics and extracurricular activities as they pursue careers in the field of communication.

Wong is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. She was awarded the scholarship for her nearly perfect academic record and extraordinary commitment to community service.

Wong, who currently works as an academic coach at UT’s Sanger Learning Center, took time earlier this month to share her goals and aspirations.

AWCAustin: What is the Communication Sciences Disorders program (CSD)?
AW: CSD is a program designed for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, or deaf educators. Some of the courses in CSD include language and the brain, anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms, and assessment and treatment of speech-language disorders in children. In addition to learning theory we also develop clinical skills. I’ve taken several classes involving clinical labs at UT and observations at the UT Speech and Hearing Clinic.

AWCAustin: Does communications play a role in your job as a peer academic coach?
AW: Yes, communication skills are crucial in my role as a peer academic coach. I meet with students one-on-one once per week for an entire semester. I help them develop study strategies for their classes, which are fundamental skills they will take with them. I ask questions to develop a rapport and, drawing upon the knowledge of their learning style, I develop a framework that is relevant and applicable to each student. I have to be able to adapt my communication style to the individual.

AWCAustin: Your community involvement on campus won you the Silver Spurs Student of the Year Scholarship Award in 2011. What motives you?
AW: I am motivated to volunteer in the community because it is in my nature to care about others. I always learn something new about people through volunteer work. It enriches my life.

AWCAustin: How do you achieve balance between school and your personal life?
AW: I try to make time to do something I enjoy every day. I enjoy cooking, keeping a blog, and writing. Writing has always been a passion of mine. I’m also a member of the Texas Zephyrs. We have events almost every weekend so this gives me an opportunity to spend time with my friends.

AWCAustin: What are your plans for the future?
AW: I am graduating this year. I will enroll in the Masters program in speech and language pathology at UT.

Please join us in congratulating Allison and other 2012 recipients of the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship at Banner Brunch on Saturday, April 28, from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. This year, $9,000 in scholarships will be awarded to local area college students. For more information and to register, visit www.BannerBrunch.com.