Dr. April Wright once dreamed of being the next Barbara Walters, delivering the evening news to millions. But a single introductory class at [PennWest California] changed the channel on her career entirely. Initially resisting her mother's advice to look into speech language pathology, Wright found herself captivated during her first clinical observations.

"I did my first observations with adults, and I was hooked," she said.

Now an assistant professor and the director of clinical education for PennWest’s Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology program, Wright specializes in adult neurogenic care, voice and swallowing, with a particular focus on Parkinson's disease. Her role is crucial in bridging the gap between theoretical, asynchronous learning and practical, hands-on patient care.

Because a brighter future is built together, PennWest fosters a supportive environment where faculty and students connect and collaborate. Wright brings this philosophy to the digital classroom. Working with students across multiple time zones – joking that she and the faculty have become "time zone Ninjas" – she coordinates clinical experiences that allow online students to thrive.

"It has been a great experience to utilize a real clinic here at PennWest and allow the global students to be in that clinic," she shared.

One of the standout features Dr. Wright coordinates is the Immersive On-Campus Intensive, which brings online students to the PennWest California, PennWest Clarion and PennWest Edinboro campuses for a week of face-to-face evaluations, preschool visits and team-building.

"They work in teams with people they've only seen on a screen or haven’t met at all," Wright noted. "It's a really great opportunity for them to build community as a cohort."

Wright believes that purposeful education has the power to change lives. Through a carefully layered curriculum, she ensures students have the knowledge and confidence they need before they ever step into their local externships.

"It gives them time to learn didactically and then to layer those experiences," she explained.

Wright’s greatest reward is watching her students grow from remote learners into capable, compassionate clinicians, ready to serve their own communities.