WHO WE ARE

THE TEAM

Meet the Spring, 2019 SIGNA Communication Coaches, PEER Coaches, and PEER Mentors

2019-20 SIGNA Leaders

kATHY dOW-bURGER

Kathy Dow-Burger, M.A., CCC-SLP, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, University of Maryland Autism Research Consortium (UMARC) Co-Director
Kathy is the founder and coordinator of SIGNA and has expertise in the evaluation and treatment of pediatric, adolescent, and adult autism spectrum disorders, language-learning & reading disabilities, speech/language disorders and stuttering. In addition to SIGNA, she coordinates and runs the UMD PEERS® Adolescent program. Kathy is a certified PEERS® provider for the Adolescent and Young Adult programs.

liz dlugi

Liz Dlugi, MPS (Master of Professional Studies) candidate, Clinical Psychological Science
Liz is involved in supervising the SIGNA undergraduate peer coaches and mentors and with SIGNA program outcome research. Her research and clinical interests include assessment and evaluation of children with developmental disabilities (particularly autism), executive functioning difficulties experienced by this population, and the bidirectional relationship between parental mental health and child behavioral/emotional problems.

lydia Curdts

Lydia is a second year Master’s student in speech-language pathology. She is involved in supervising and training the SIGNA graduate communication coaches. Her research and clinical interests include early intervention treatments for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Spring 2019 Communication Coaches

Front row L to R: Avery, Sandy, Michael, Emily, Allesondra, and Mandy. Back row L to R: Ashley, Catherine, Samantha, and Alyssa. Not pictured: Jess

spring 2019 peer coaches

Alexandra

Alexandra is a psychology major and neuroscience minor. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and yoga.

brinley

Brinley is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major with a minor in Human Development. Her interests include running and hanging out with her dogs.

Logan

Rebecca

Logan is a Psychology and Spanish major. When he is not in class, he can be found serving on the executive board of Camp Kesem, an organization that creates a week-long camp experience for kids affected by a parent’s cancer, or Help Center, UMD’s Peer Counseling and Crisis Intervention Hotline. Additionally, Logan is a hotline operator for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and other national and local crisis hotlines.

Rebecca is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. She also loves being a tour guide on campus.

Tory

Tory is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. When she is not in class, she can be found at Orangetheory Fitness working out, or on some new hiking adventure with her puppy.

Ilana

Ilana is a communication and hearing and speech double major. In her free time, Ilana can be found teaching swim lessons at Eppley or mentoring at the Oral Communication Center. Ilana also enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends.

spring 2019 Peer mentors

Kim- Lead Peer Mentor

Brian- Lead Peer mentor

From bottom to top: Sarah, Maria, Nell, Gianna, Maria, Grace, and Kate. Not pictured: Bridget

Fall 2018 communication coaches

Fall 2018 Peer Coaches

Ali

Pam

Ali is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. She likes to listen to music, go out with friends, and watch the Food Network.

Pam is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. She likes to play tennis, sing karaoke, and explore new places.

Jenna

Jenna is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. She helps run the Terrapin Record Label, enjoys playing music, and spending time with her dogs.

Kim

Kim is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major. She is a puppy raiser for the Guide Dog Foundation.

Brian

Brian is a Hearing and Speech Sciences major with an emphasis in audiology. He likes being outdoors going on hikes, playing some good ol’ sports, or hanging out with his family and friends. He enjoys a cold glass of chocolate milk after a long day of nonsense, and has been known to waste countless hours on Netflix.

SIGNA