Supporting Future SLPs in Rural Tennessee: Meet Scholarship Recipient Maddy Piefer
This year, the University of Memphis School of Communication Sciences and Disorders launched the Development of Rural TN Speech-Language Pathologists Scholarship, a training grant funded by the Tennessee Department of Education. The scholarship was created to address the critical shortage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in small and rural public schools across Tennessee. Awarded to up to two incoming students annually, the traineeship includes substantial financial support along with a two-year service commitment to work in a rural Tennessee school district following graduation.
First-year graduate student Maddy Piefer is the inaugural recipient of this competitive award. A native of a rural community herself, Maddy brings a deep personal connection to the mission of this scholarship.
鈥淕rowing up in a rural area and attending public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, I witnessed firsthand the challenges these communities face鈥攅specially when it comes to accessing essential services like speech-language pathology,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚 saw students go without the support they needed simply because there weren鈥檛 enough SLPs available. That experience deeply shaped my passion for returning to serve similar communities.鈥� Reflecting on her decision to apply, she explained, "I applied for the rural training grant because it aligned perfectly with my personal mission: to help close the gap in service access and make a meaningful impact in the places that shaped me."
Since starting the SLP program, Maddy has already begun putting the goals of the scholarship into practice. She has tailored her academic focus to explore the unique needs of rural schools, emphasizing flexibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative problem-solving鈥攕kills that are especially vital in under-resourced settings.
鈥淭his grant has enriched my experience in so many ways,鈥� she said. 鈥淎cademically, it鈥檚 motivated me to focus on topics and clinical strategies relevant to rural practice like being flexible, resourceful, and collaborating across disciplines.鈥�
Maddy has also been intentional about seeking clinical placements that serve rural or underserved populations. These hands-on experiences are helping her build confidence and competence in working with communities similar to the one she grew up in.
鈥淥n a personal level, the grant has reinforced my sense of purpose,鈥� she reflected. 鈥淚t reminds me that I鈥檓 not just earning a degree鈥擨鈥檓 preparing to return to communities like my own, fully equipped to make a difference.鈥�
The School of Communication Sciences and Disorders is proud to support future SLPs like Maddy Piefer, whose passion for service and dedication to rural communities embody the heart of this important new initiative.