Building a new future from an island in Alaska

Longwood’s fully online SLP pathway empowers a career change without stepping away from community or career.

From the spotlight of professional theater in Chicago to the world of commercial real estate, Stephen Varela-Kossak has never been afraid to pivot. After relocating to a remote Alaskan community, he began  working in his local school district as a speech and occupational therapy paraprofessional. As his interest in the field deepened, he set his sights on becoming a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). That search led him to Longwood University’s Speech-Language Pathology Prerequisite Courses and SLPA Pathway, which offered the flexible online learning he needed to pursue a new career while continuing to serve his rural community.

“Because I live in rural Alaska, finding a program that was flexible and asynchronous was important to me,” said Varela-Kossak. “Working every day at school combined with being in our own time zone, I wanted to find a school that allowed me to continue working and do homework at my own pace. I was excited to find Longwood because it meshed all of those things together.”

Longwood’s Speech-Language Pathology Online (SLP Online) program offered exactly what Varela-Kossak needed: a self-paced, fully online format that allowed him to grow professionally without stepping away from his day-to-day work with students. Longwood’s supportive community solidified his decision to enroll, particularly Speech-Language Pathologist and Clinical Educator Stephanie Bailey, whom he connected with when he first reached out to learn more.

“She is the reason I felt comfortable and excited going back to school,” he said. “I entered this field with little knowledge of what would be required of me to advance within the field and reaching out to Stephanie is what got that started for me.”

Varela-Kossak also found support among his classmates, noting that he’s gained valuable insight from their diverse perspectives and experience levels.

“An online program brings the benefit of such diverse opinions and backgrounds; it is an unmatched exposure. Some peers during summer classes are wrapping up their undergrad programs, while others have been working in the field for 15+ years and are looking to get their C-SLPA designation.”

The adaptability Varela-Kossak honed while navigating his unconventional career path has also served him well in the online classroom. From his island community in Alaska, he faces challenges that many students never encounter, especially when it comes to accessing textbooks or materials. But he cites Longwood’s creative, interactive coursework as a key factor in helping him stay engaged and successful, even from afar.

“Having hands-on projects, even virtually, is so helpful,” he said. “We are limited by what goods are available, including art supplies, classroom supplies and anything that has to come in the mail…When classes have projects, such as Anatomy and Physiology having an assignment to build a 3D laryngeal model, I have to get creative with what materials we have. Luckily, we have Play-Doh on the island!”

Varela-Kossak’s journey to speech-language pathology has been anything but traditional. From the stage to the commercial sector to the classroom, each chapter built skills that now serve him.

“My theatre background taught me linguistics, diction, and breath support. Real estate taught me about having difficult conversations, management skills, mentoring and training, and understanding contractual language,” he said. “All of these skills combined ultimately give me a strong ability to learn and adapt to new environments.”

Next up: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association SLPA exam and then a graduate program in speech-language pathology. With a strong foundation in place, Varela-Kossak is confident about what’s to come.

“I feel prepared to continue on this path because of how Longwood has set me up to succeed,” he said. “I would especially recommend the program to adults who are looking for a career change and are working. It has allowed me to make a big change in my career while continuing to work during the day gaining field experience.”