Sometimes the most profound professional inspiration comes from the smallest voices. With 18 years of global experience as an early childhood educator and therapeutic play specialist, Mudita Belani was working as a behavior technician when she witnessed a breakthrough: A one-and-a-half-year-old boy who was receiving speech therapy said his first words in front of her.

“That was my final push,” Mudita said. “I started looking (for a program), taking concrete steps toward realizing that dream.”

Based in Arizona, Mudita needed a program that could bridge the gap between her current expertise and her career goals. The search didn’t take long. After discovering PennWest's Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology online, she knew she had found the right fit.

It just felt right," she shared.

Transitioning to an asynchronous online environment can be daunting, but Mudita quickly found a network of support. PennWest's connected network gives students the confidence to break barriers and realize their full potential.

"It's been brilliant. Everybody is so helpful," Mudita noted. "The way things have been planned, the way the course has been designed, it's been really helpful."

A major highlight of Mudita's experience has been the Immersive On-Campus Intensive at PennWest California. Traveling across the country to meet her cohort and faculty in person provided invaluable hands-on practice.

"As we speak about that one-week placement, that's the best part of this whole course," she said.

During this intensive, Mudita volunteered at a senior care facility and worked with Parkinson's patients, an experience that broadened her career horizons from pediatrics to medical and acute care speech pathology.

Equipped with comprehensive clinical training, Mudita is entering her clinical externships with a strong foundation.

"I really feel prepared,” she said. "Having that confidence prior to working in the field is really important."

With her Praxis exam and clinical fellowship year on the horizon, Mudita is ready to make a profound impact on the lives of her future patients.