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10 Things to Know About Robin Goldberg
The speech-language pathologist talks about her career as a compassionate communicator.
Stonehill's Communication Sciences & Disorders program, which Goldberg oversees, prepares students for careers in speech-language pathology and audiology.
At the start of the fall 2024 semester, Stonehill College introduced a new Communication Sciences & Disorders major. Robin Goldberg, professor of practice for speech-language pathology, serves as the director of this course of study.
“I’m excited to help continue developing and expanding this academic program,” she said. “So many opportunities await the students who declare the major, whether it’s through collaborations with faculty, the use of equipment found in professional settings, or partnerships with local schools, hospitals, and other organizations.”
As Goldberg provides students with impactful experiences that will set them up for future success, here are 10 things to know about her.
Goldberg has worked as a speech-language pathologist for several decades.
1. Her parent worked at the Pentagon. Though raised in Newton, Massachusetts, Goldberg was born in Washington, D.C. Her father, who trained as an engineer, worked for the United States Department of Defense in foreign intelligence amid the Space Race. After he was transferred to the Watertown Army Materials and Mechanics Research Center, the Goldberg family moved to the Bay State.
2. She studied language arts. As a child, Goldberg remembers visiting Emerson College with a family member who routinely received services at an on-campus speech-language clinic. Despite this early connection to her field, Goldberg initially declared an English major while attending Adelphi University. “I met somebody who was in the speech-language profession,” she said. “I realized I didn’t want to be an English teacher after they invited me to see the clinic where they were working. I loved it immediately.”
3. Her resume is wide-ranging. Goldberg has worked in various capacities at the Fernald State School, Lesley University, the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Hospital, Worcester State University, and the Sudbury and Boxborough public school systems. At one time, she also operated her own private practice.
4. She values variety. Goldberg appreciates the expansiveness of her field. “We treat a diverse range of age groups for matters related to articulation, voice disorders, language comprehension, hearing loss, swallowing disorders, feeding, and augmentative alternative communication involving the use of electronic devices,” she said. “We’re not just treating physical conditions, but also helping people overcome other issues like low self-esteem due to their communication challenges.”
5. She has helped patients progress. Through her work, Goldberg has witnessed patients undergo remarkable transformations. One instance involved a man whose speech was impacted after a stroke. Goldberg treated him using melodic intonation therapy. “If a person has lost the ability to speak, you can, in certain cases, put the words to melody to help facilitate speech by exaggerating normal stress patterns,” she said. “In this situation, the patient went from being nonverbal to speaking in three-to-five-word sentences over the course of just three weeks.”
Goldberg joined the Stonehill community in 2017.
6. She is a big picture person. Goldberg notes that compassion is at the heart of her work. “This field requires a great deal of sensitivity and empathy,” she said. “To help the people you’re working with, it’s important to look at the whole picture of not only what your patient is experiencing, but what their family is going through as well.”
7. She keeps current. Students often approach Goldberg for career advice. She reminds them, among other things, to keep up with their certifications. “This field is constantly changing,” she said. “I’ve realized that it’s important to stay informed about how it evolves in order to provide patients with the best care possible.”
8. She found her calling. Over the years, Goldberg has received praise from colleagues and students for her dedication. She is a recipient of the Massachusetts Speech-Language & Hearing Association’s Distinguished Service Award. She also received Recognition of Services from the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Health, and Recognition of Teaching Excellence from students at Worcester State University. “These awards came as such a shock,” she said. “I appreciate the recognition so much, but at the same time, I’m in this field for the love of doing it. It’s one of my passions.”
9. She is an explorer. Outside of her career, Goldberg enjoys traveling. “I’ve been working on my bucket list,” she said. “Recently, I’ve been to Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Iceland, and Colorado, which are wonderful places to visit.”
10. She feels fortunate. Reflecting on her life and career thus far, Goldberg appreciates all the different experiences she has had. “I’m doing what I love to do, and not everyone can say that,” she noted. “Between working with students and helping patients, knowing that I can positively impact them is the most gratifying thing.”