Ava Sheard is a senior at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS) within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. As a three-time Babbidge scholar, Ava has routinely demonstrated academic excellence, alongside exceptional leadership as President of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Hospital Relations Captain for HuskyTHON, and a Research Assistant in Emily Myers’ Language and Brain Lab. Since attending UConn Storrs as a Spring-to-Storrs admit in 2022, Ava has exemplified ambition, resilience, and a remarkable ability to maximize ventures, leaving a legacy of success and meaningful impact on the university community.
As Ava began college with a defined career path, the journey toward finding success within her major was less defined, particularly as a first-generation student navigating the college landscape. Ava spent most of her high school years exploring career options and personal interests before discovering SLHS through her cousin, who studied the major at another university. Ava saw the field as the perfect blend of therapy, education, and medical applications, complementing her passions and goals.
Arriving at UConn Storrs, Ava’s primary initiative was to immerse herself in every opportunity, build connections, and establish her presence within the SLHS community. She leveraged resources like the Involvement Fair, Major Websites, and the UConn Daily Digest to discover and explore clubs, jobs, and events that she found interesting. Using UConn promoted platforms she secured her position as a student library assistant, where she works at the Information Desk, manages stacks, and provides off-desk support. Moreover, Ava has frequently used job boards and newsletters to explore position descriptions that accentuate not merely roles related to specific majors, but also latitudes to gaining critical transferable skills (Career Competencies). Her proactive approach and actions have broadened her personal, professional, and academic journey while providing her with fundamental qualities that translate to a multitude of professional settings.
Ava believes career resources, such as the Career Center, serve as an invaluable compass for all students – whether they arrive with a clear sense of direction or not. For Ava, these resources provided the framework to transform her ambitions into actionable steps, reassuring her that she could navigate the collegiate journey with strategy and conviction.
Ava emphasizes the transformative power of forming meaningful relationships, describing them as “the foundation of growth, vulnerability, and opportunity.” Within the intimate SLHS major, where classmates share courses and leadership roles over the years, Ava has found a supportive community that fosters collaboration and connection. She believes these relationships ignite curiosity, create a safe space to ask questions, and provide “access to a wealth of knowledge and ideas.” Unlike the larger environment of CLAS, the tight-knit nature of SLHS helps students build a strong network that offers professional and personal fulfillment, easing the transition through the demands of college life.
Ava’s dedication to relationship-building extends beyond her classes. As the longest serving research assistant in the Language and Brain Lab since January 2023, she has cultivated professional connections while contributing to research that aligns with her academic interests. Ava has conducted experiments, analyzed data, administered cognitive assessments, and refined her ability to solve problems, both communicatively and systematically. She has garnered experimental responsibilities utilizing tools such as EEG, audiograms, pupillometry, and MoCA while amassing an understanding of research ethics. As a HuskyTHON representative, she honed her teamwork and leadership skills, equipping her with the skillset to run for and win the presidency of the NSSLHA in Spring 2024. Upon receiving the presidency, Ava prioritized fostering collaboration and reducing the competitive atmosphere that accompanies graduate school preparation. By creating an inclusive environment where peers support and uplift one another, Ava has not only strengthened bonds within the organization but also spearheaded a culture of mutual encouragement and shared success. The relationships she has built—with peers, professors, and professional mentors—serve as a compass, guiding her toward new ideas, resources, and opportunities that continue to shape her academic and personal journey.
If you feel lost, act—UConn’s campus provides abundant resources and support to guide you. Your initial steps, as well as those that follow, may bring discomfort; however, generate momentum to explore new avenues. Ask questions, reevaluate failure as a learning tool, and accept challenges. Success is the derivative of consistent effort and self-analysis. Your time in university is not about having all the answers but about experimenting, development, and simply, doing. Talk with friends, connect with professors, attend events, and fully engage with your surroundings. Through this process, of self-determination, initiative, and relation, you will find your path. Talent improves through repeated effort, pursue your strengths and commit to a process of mastery.
