Collaborations
Beginning in Fall 2021, Virginia LEND is very pleased to formalize our ongoing relationship with Longwood University. Longwood faculty have been collaborating with Va-LEND for several years, and we are thrilled to expand on those existing relationships with the addition of new faculty, and students from new disciplines. This is an important step as Va-LEND seeks to prepare professionals and advocates to serve Virginians with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families from across the Commonwealth.
Two faculty members at Longwood University, Dr. Lissa Power- deFur (Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders and Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Services) and Dr. Christine Eubanks (Clinical Audiologist) have been with Va-LEND for many years, serving as the speech and language pathology and audiology faculty members. With the new partnership, Dr. Erin Wallace (Assistant Professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders), joined the team. Erin was a Va-LEND trainee, graduating with the 2020 cohort. The Longwood faculty are looking forward to sharing the Va-LEND experience with their students, colleagues, and the entire Lancer community.
Two Longwood University students will participate in each Va-LEND cohort. Students from the disciplines of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Education, Special Education, and Counseling are eligible. Their participation will focus on leadership, interprofessional collaboration, and family-centered models of care. Additionally, they will receive invaluable experiences working with a variety of professionals through research, seminars, and clinics. We look forward to seeing how Longwood students will be applying the leadership skills they gather from their time in Va-LEND throughout their careers.