Viviana Cortes

Viviana Cortes is a transfer communicative disorders major from Round Lake, IL

Hometown: Round Lake, IL

Year: Expected graduation: 2024

Transfer from: College of Lake County

Why did you choose to attend NIU?
I chose to attend NIU because it’s close to home and family is extremely important to me. I also have cousins who studied here, and I heard so many great things!

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I was always a bit indecisive about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I pondered the idea of becoming a teacher, veterinarian and psychiatrist. It wasn’t until a career fair in high school where I came across a booth about speech pathology that I instantly became amazed by this profession!

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I am majoring in communicative disorders with a minor in deafness. I decided on this course of study because I love helping people and want to give everyone the tools they need to express themselves. Growing up, I always had an interest in learning American Sign Language. In addition to Spanish, I hope to use my ASL skills to connect with and help even more people.

Have you conducted your own research through Research Rookies, Honors capstones or theses or any other faculty-guided research opportunity?
Yes

Tell us about the research you are doing and why it interests you.
I am currently working on the research project “Culturally Relevant and Family Centered Care: Latino Caregivers” under the supervision of Marisol Perez and Dr. Janet Olson. This project targets Latino caregivers of children receiving early intervention speech-language therapy services. This topic is particularly important to me because as a Latina, I understand the challenges that language barriers have on access to resources and the importance of early intervention.

How has conducting research strengthened your education and experience at NIU?
Conducting research has definitely strengthened my education. I am able to apply the information I learn from my supervisors to my coursework. In addition, the experiences shared by participants has allowed me to reflect on the kind of speech pathologist I hope to become. It also serves as a reminder to always take into account the best interests of my future clients. Assisting in research has made my experience at NIU wonderful! It has allowed me to build connections with my professors. Lastly, assisting in research has a helped me build confidence in myself and my communication skills, allowing me to take on executive roles in clubs at NIU.

How will your research experience help you in the future?
My research experience will help me as a future speech-language pathologist. This research experience has taught me the importance of taking into account the client as a whole and ensuring you are embedding aspects of culture into sessions. In addition, I have learned software skills that I may use when conducting my own research one day.

Who at NIU has been important to your success doing research and why?
I’ve had so many wonderful professors at NIU! However, I am very thankful to Dr. Olson. She informed me of this research opportunity and has been very supportive along the way. Dr. Olson inspires me to become the best student and future clinician I can be.

What advice would you give to an incoming student as it relates to research at NIU?
My advice would be to get research experience doing something you’re passionate about! If you truly have an interest in something, the experience will be so fun and rewarding!

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I was very surprised to see that there are so many student organizations at NIU! There really is something for everyone! These organizations have created a strong sense of community for me at NIU.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
I’ve made so many connections by getting involved on campus! I was able to create new friendships outside of my major by joining different clubs and programs, such as Huskie Service Scholars.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
Yes! Currently, I hold a few executive board positions. I am president of NIU’s Music and Memory student organization, president of HABLA (Hispanic Association of Bilingual Language Acquisition) and vice president of Signing Huskies ASL club. In addition, I am an active member of COMDSA (Communicative Disorders Student Association) and a peer mentor for COMD 221. All of these programs have contributed to my growth as a student and future clinician. I have gained so much confidence in public speaking and time management skills. They have helped build a strong sense of community at NIU.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you succeed? And how?
The Latino Resource Center has been really important in helping me succeed at NIU. I think culture is a huge part of my identify and having the LRC on campus brings me so much comfort. It has created a sense of home away from home. I enjoy attending events and meeting people who help me connect with my Latino roots.

Are there transfer-specific resources, offices or services that you use to help you succeed at NIU?
As a first-generation and transfer student, I was a bit overwhelmed at first. However, I came across the Huskie Service Scholars program and they made the transition super easy. I made so many connections, while getting involved in the community!

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors has been Dr. Janet Olson! I took her aural rehabilitation course in spring 2023. Dr. Olson has always been very supportive and always pushes me to step out of my comfort zone. I absolutely enjoyed this course, which actually led me to my interest in working with children with hearing loss in the future.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class regularly has allowed me to join in discussions and ask questions as they arise. In addition, attending class regularly lets me collaborate with my peers and aids in my comprehension of the materials.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is Einstein Bros. Bagels inside Founders Memorial Library. It can be easy to get caught up in coursework and miss a meal. Therefore, I enjoy studying for exams while eating a ham and Swiss bagel!

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! There are so many opportunities for you to be successful.

Why is a college education important to you?
Personally, a college education is important so I can make my parents and family proud. My college education and success show them that all their hard work and support have paid off. I wouldn’t be who I am today without their guidance. In the future, I hope to use my college education to care for them.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I’ve learned to manage my time wisely by using a planner to write down all assignments, meetings and events. In addition, I try to block out times to study without any distractions. However, it is important to dedicate some time to yourself and friends or family so you’re not too overwhelmed.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I stay informed about events and services on campus by following NIU on social media platforms and keeping up with upcoming events on Huskie Hub.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I love staying in and watching a movie or comfort show such as “Grey’s Anatomy” to relax. I also make sure to get a good night’s sleep when I need to recharge or before an exam.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
Some of my hobbies include baking treats, collecting mugs and collecting items inspired by the Disney movie “Up.”