Dallas St. Onge is a Speech Language and Hearing Sciences major with a minor in Deaf Studies from Clawson, Michigan. She expects to graduate in May of 2022.
Why did you decide to come to NMU?
I decided to come to NMU because of my love of the outdoors and the Upper Peninsula in general. In my childhood, I spent time up here and the Upper Peninsula has always had a special place in my heart. I knew that I wanted to move from the Metro Detroit area and wanted to go far away for college, but I did not want to go somewhere entirely unknown. I also decided on NMU because of the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences program. There are not many universities that have this program, and I am honored to be completing it here.
How did you decide your major/minor?
I decided on the Speech Language and Hearing Sciences major due to my personal experiences with hearing loss. I have worn hearing aids since I was 14 and the technology has always been interesting to me. I knew that I wanted to choose a profession in the medical realm of things where I could help others, and I felt that a career in Audiology would be perfect for that.
What's an example of a cool, interesting or helpful thing that you have done as a part of your major?
Every year, NMU's National Student Speech Language and Hearing Sciences Association (NSSLHA) attends the Michigan Speech Language and Hearing Association's (MSHA) Annual Conference downstate where we are able to partake in lectures from professionals in the fields of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology alongside other undergraduate students, graduate students in Speech Language Pathology or Audiology and professionals.
What are you involved in on- and off-campus and what has been the most rewarding experience?
I am a Superior Edge/Volunteer Center Coordinator at the center for Student Enrichment (CSE), and have been heavily involved in Superior Edge since I was a freshman. I also was a Space Block in the Student Leader Fellowship Program, where I completed my Community Service Internship at Peter White Public Library. Additionally, I am the President of Mortar Board - Telion Chapter here at NMU, and the Vice-President of NMU's Chapter of National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA). In 2019-2020, I was the Hall President of Birch Hall. I would say my involvement in Superior Edge from the get-go has been the most rewarding experience because it paved the way for everything I have accomplished here at NMU.
Do you have any advice for someone who is considering NMU?
For anyone who is considering NMU, it is truly as amazing as all of the marketing promotions show it as. There is always something to do here far and close. NMU is a "smaller" school, but in no which way does it feel small. My program is small, which has led to the creation of lifelong friendships with those in my cohort. I would not have the experiences I have had thus far if I went to a large institution.
