Recent Recipients of the Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship
Julia Cerveira-Bianchi
(2025)
Congratulations to Julia Cerveira-Bianchi, the 2025 recipient of the Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship!
Julia graduates with her Master’s Degree in May 2025. She hopes to secure a position in a local elementary school, following in Patricia Stephens’s footsteps. Julia also stated that she would like to continue her education by learning more about dyslexia, language disorders, and fluency–and even working toward a doctorate in Speech-Language Pathology!
In her application, Julia stated that her interactions with several speech-language pathologists helped her realize her “love of language and the importance of communication.” Julia has volunteered her time and talent at Camp Unspoken Words, The Autism Project Summer Camp, and the Collaborative Cognitive Neuroscience Lab. She also volunteered to work with a professor at URI to study the efficacy of RoboKind’s Milo at teaching social communication skills to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Julia plans to use the scholarship award to support her continued volunteer and community activities and to assist herself in pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Dyslexia Knowledge. “The Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship will help me achieve my overall goal of helping children and giving back to the local Rhode Island Community,” explained Julia.
Olivia Sullivan
(2024)
Congratulations to Olivia Sullivan, the 2024 recipient of the Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship!
Olivia is scheduled to graduate from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a Master’s Degree in the area of Speech-Language Pathology in May, 2024. Olivia presented a very impressive application. Her history with the field of Speech-Language Pathology began all the way back in pre-K, when her teacher reached out to her parents in an emotional phone call to explain that Olivia’s speech could not be understood by adults, nor by her potential new friends. At URI, Olivia especially enjoyed her clinical training experiences working with students who use augmentative and alternative communication. “I have always had an interest in these devices and modes of communication and am constantly amazed with how much success they provide individuals in the realm of communication.” Olivia plans to pursue a career in the Boston area, where she hopes to work with children in either an outpatient or inpatient medical setting.
Siobhan Scanlon
(2023)
Congratulations to Siobhan Scanlon, the 2023 recipient of the Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship.
Siobhan will be graduating from the University of Rhode Island this spring. There were several very qualified applicants and Siobhan was chosen by the committee to receive the award. This scholarship is awarded annually by Rhode Island Speech and Language Association to a graduate student pursuing a career in the field of speech and language pathology who attends The University of Rhode Island or Worcester State University.
When asked, “Why Speech Language Pathology?,” Siobhan told us, “I originally decided to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology because of a first-grade classmate. He was a person who stuttered. Even at the young age of 7, I observed how other children would treat him differently. Whether it was in the classroom, cafeteria, or on the playground, I watched how other children would mock him or laugh as he tried to speak. As a witness to these hardships, I asked my parents how a child who stutters can get help. They told me about speech-language pathology and how it would be a good future career for me, as I have always been an empathetic person who strives to support and empower others.’
After graduation, Siobhan plans to pursue a clinical fellowship year in a medical setting working with both children and adults. She has an interest in neurodegenerative disorders and their impact on communication. She also hopes to continue her education and earn a PhD in neuroscience and to transition into teaching at a university. Siobhan would like to continue to be involved with RISHA.
Siobhan will be awarded the scholarship at the upcoming RISHA Connects Meet on April 25th at Whalers Brewing Company. Please join us as we celebrate our scholarship winner!
Halie Serbent (2021)
Patricia Iafrate Bellini, President of RISHA, along with Ellen Gallagher Connery, RISHA Treasurer, awarded the 2021 Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship to Halie Serbent, a recent Master’s Degree graduate from the University of Rhode Island. Dr. Alisa Barton, URI Professor and RISHA Executive Board member, was also on hand for the presentation. Halie hopes to work with children as she begins her career. The RISHA Executive Board and the membership of the Association extend their best wishes to Halie. Congratulations and welcome to the profession!
Justin Yehle (2020)
Congratulations to Justin Yehle of the University of Rhode Island, the recipient of RISHA’s 2020 Patricia M. Stephens Scholarship. Visit the RISHA website to learn more about the scholarship, and to donate to next year’s award. Justin’s application was stellar, and we look forward to hearing great things about him in the future. This scholarship is made possible by your donations and by your annual dues, so thank you as well!
Ashley McSweeny (2019)
Congratulations to University of Rhode Island graduate student Ashley McSweeny, the recipient of the 2019 Patricia E. Stephens Memorial Scholarship!
Cristina Zaffetti (2018)
The scholarship committee is proud to announce that Cristina Zaffetti is the recipient of our 2018 Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship. Cristina is a graduate student studying speech pathology at Worcester State College with a special interest in augmentative and alternative communication and autism spectrum disorders. The Patricia M. Stephens Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to an exceptional graduate student studying speech pathology or audiology at The University of Rhode Island or Worcester State College. The number of exceptional candidates who applied this year made the committee’s decision very difficult. Congratulations Cristina!