The Cultural Leadership Initiative Student Organization (CLISO) was designed to help future speech-language pathologists and audiologists achieve the highest level of multicultural competence. By joining CLISO, you take additional steps to recognize and discuss cultural variables and dimensions of diversity encountered in our clinical practices. The club aims to achieve the following primary goals:
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Bringing together members of both organizations to discuss current pitfalls and successes in cultural competence within clinical practice
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Creating culturally specific and cross-cultural experiences through open discussions and guest speakers
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Bringing your diverse values and experiences into learning environments and sponsored events
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Maintaining a focus of inclusivity of diverse backgrounds within the organization
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Becoming a resource for students, faculty, and patients
Who to contact to join? Please email: umdcliso [at] gmail.com
Find us on Instagram! @umd_cliso
Current faces of CLISO:
Denilson is a Senior pursuing a double degree in Honors Hearing & Speech Sciences (SLP track) and Information Science. He joined CLISO to expand our reach and create more service opportunities that benefit both the community and our members’ futures.
Breanna is a Senior majoring in Hearing & Speech Sciences (AuD track). She joined CLISO to help spread diversity within the HESP and UMD community.
Beza is Senior majoring in Hearing & Speech Sciences (SLP track). She joined CLISO to help future clinicians and audiologists become more culturally aware and competent to provide the best care possible.
Angie is a Senior majoring in Hearing & Speech Sciences (SLP track) with a minor in Human Development. She joined CLISO to help others learn about our organization and allow them to learn about extremely beneficial opportunities for their future careers.
Gina is a Junior majoring in Hearing & Speech Sciences with a minor in Spanish. She joined CLISO to help future professionals in the field of Hearing and Speech sciences discover ways to bridge cultural concepts with clinical experiences.
Faculty Representatives:
Eliza A Thompson is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland, College Park. She received her B.S. in Speech & Hearing Sciences from George Washington University, her M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Howard University, and an Ed.S from The George Washington University. Professor Thompson also obtained an Advanced Certificate in Bilingual/Bicultural Education from Teacher's College, Columbia University. She has had a long-standing interest in the processes of communication with a focus on child language development and emergent literacy intervention. As a clinician and clinical supervisor, Professor Thompson has worked in a variety of settings including public schools, private practice, and hospitals. She has also served as a clinical supervisor and therapist overseas, specifically, Ghana, Haiti, and Kenya. Professor Thompson teaches Clinical Practicum, Principles and Methods in Speech-language Pathology and Speech and Language Development in Children. Her specific clinical interests include bilingual language development, communication in multicultural populations, and language/Literacy intervention.
Dr. Curry is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland and one of the faculty advisors for CLISO. She is a board-certified Audiologist, having received bachelor's degrees in Speech Pathology and Audiology, and Deaf Studies from Towson University in Maryland, as well as her Clinical Doctorate in Audiology from James Madison University. Along with serving as faculty advisor, she engages with doctorate students in direct patient care in the on-campus clinic and teaches at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
