For more than six decades, the Edgar R. Garrett Speech and Hearing Center at New Mexico State University has provided speech, language, swallowing, and cognitive services to people of all ages. The center also offers NMSU graduate students practical experience as they work toward careers in speech-language pathology.
Aubry Anaya, a second-year student and graduate assistant, said, “The Communication Disorders department has helped me grow immensely as a student and prepare me to be a professional in the field of speech-language pathology in many ways. Professors, supervisors and clinical educators have done an incredible job of offering mentorship and teaching us graduate students critical thinking skills required for treatment and assessment.”
Graduate clinicians at NMSU are able to deliver therapeutic interventions on-site under the supervision of licensed professionals. The department helps students secure externships locally in Las Cruces, throughout New Mexico, and out-of-state.
Julie Borrego, clinic director and assistant professor, said, “I enjoy supporting our students as they grow, learn and develop the skills needed to become successful professionals, who will eventually become my peers. On the same note, I appreciate that we have to opportunity to offer services to the community while providing students with valuable exposure to diverse settings and populations.”
Anaya added about her role: “My favorite part of my job as a graduate assistant at NMSU is being able to assist faculty with important duties, and gain knowledge about what it takes to be a great supervisor or professor.”
The clinic provides evaluations and treatment for various conditions including aphasia, child language disorders, articulation disorders, voice disorders, social skills challenges, apraxia, acquired language issues, augmentative communication needs, fluency difficulties such as stuttering, accent modification—and recently introduced a specialized feeding clinic.
Borrego shared an example from their work: “We have a little baby that we’ve been seeing for dysphagia since she was about six months old and she is about to turn 2. She has had a feeding tube throughout this time, but can now eat and drink certain foods. We are also focusing on facilitating functional communication. It’s truly rewarding to work with clients of all ages across the lifespan.”
Each semester the center serves around 40 clients within its clinic and extends services into the wider Las Cruces area. Free hearing screenings are offered at community events such as church gatherings and pharmacy block parties as well as child care facilities. In fall 2024 alone, over 350 children were screened in local head start and preschool programs.
Graduate students from the center also provide interventions at locations like Casa de Oro Skilled Nursing Facility and Las Cruces Catholic School. Each summer they co-host a camp for children with autism alongside Hearts for Autism Las Cruces.
Anaya described her experience in the department: “Everybody in this department leads by example by showing us what it’s like to be supportive and thoughtful as professionals. It is truly a very special group of educators and supervisors that want to see you succeed. They make you feel so supported and safe that you can go to them about anything because you know they really care you as a person, your education and clinical experience.”
Borrego noted client loyalty: “We have a strong base of repeat clients and community members who return for our services due to the welcoming, family-oriented atmosphere that we provide. I am grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with both the students and the community, fostering relationships that encourage and promote mutual support and benefit.”
More information about the Edgar R. Garrett Speech and Hearing Center can be found at https://cd.nmsu.edu/about-erg/new-erg-clinic.html.
Additional details appear in Pinnacle magazine’s 2025 issue: https://pinnacle.nmsu.edu/.
