In October, the College of Education & Human Development’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) welcomed Fulbright scholar Diellza Namani to Georgia State University.
She will spend the next few months observing, lecturing and conducting research alongside communication sciences and disorders students and faculty who are interested in better understanding how brain-related injuries can impact a person’s speech and language skills. By the end of her Fulbright Development Program trip, she will be finishing her doctoral thesis and creating a communication sciences and disorders master's curriculum to take home to Kosovo.
As part of the university’s International Education Week 2025 celebrations, we asked Namani about her decision to study at Georgia State, why it’s important to participate in Fulbright programs and what lessons she’ll bring home.
Q: What made you decide to come to Georgia State University for the Fulbright Development Program?
A: “Choosing Georgia State University felt like a natural decision for me because the university has an amazing program in communication sciences and disorders. As soon as I learned more about the department’s work, I knew it was exactly the kind of environment where I could grow and enjoy spending my time. I feel especially fortunate to have Professor Jacqueline Laures-Gore as my mentor. One of the main reasons I was drawn to Georgia State is the opportunity to work under her mentorship, as she serves as the chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She also directs the Aphasia and Motor Speech Disorders Laboratory, where I will be learning directly from her expertise and experience in studying speech and language recovery after brain injury. I am truly excited to collaborate with her and her graduate students, to exchange ideas and to take part in ongoing research. Coming to Georgia State is more than just pursuing a Fulbright; it’s also about joining a community that values education, collaboration and making the community a better place for everyone. I'm excited to learn from everyone here and bring that knowledge back home to help improve the lives of people with communication difficulties in Kosovo.”
Q: What academic degrees have you earned and where/when did you earn them? Can you describe your research interests?
A: “I hold a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature in Kosovo. I completed two master’s degrees: one in applied linguistics with Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in Greece, and another in English language and literature in Kosovo. Currently, I am pursuing two doctoral degrees in Italy: one in neurolinguistics, which explores the relationship between brain function and language (specifically dealing with challenges of patients in Kosovo), and another in higher education leadership and management, focusing on the accreditation and quality assurance processes in HEIs in Kosovo. My main research interest lies in the field of neurolinguistics, particularly in understanding how brain injuries affect language and communication. I am deeply interested in exploring how speech and language rehabilitation can be adapted to different cultural and linguistic contexts, especially in regions like Kosovo, where this field is still developing.”
Q: What will you be researching/learning while you're in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders?
A: “I aim to deepen my understanding of how brain injuries affect speech and language processing, and how rehabilitation strategies can be adapted for different linguistic and cultural contexts. I’m particularly interested in exploring diagnostic and therapeutic approaches used in the U.S. that could be implemented in Kosovo and how this field could be part of university curriculums in my own hometown.”
Q: What are some of the activities you'd like to do and/or the landmarks you'd like to visit while you're in Atlanta?
A: “I have been told that Atlanta has a rich artistic culture and amazing food. So, I look forward to exploring Atlanta’s vibrant culture – visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, the Atlanta History Center and the Georgia Aquarium, but also experiencing local art, music and cuisine.”
Q: By the end of your time at Georgia State, what do you hope you'll have learned/achieved?
A: “By the end of my time at Georgia State, I hope to gain deeper knowledge about how brain injuries impact communication and how evidence-based therapies can support recovery. Working with Dr. Laures-Gore and her team will help me strengthen my research and practical skills, which I aim to bring back to Kosovo to support the development of speech and language rehabilitation services and contribute to the curriculum development of such subjects.”
Q: Why do you think it's important for students to participate in Fulbright programs?
A: “Fulbright programs foster cross-cultural understanding, academic exchange and mutual learning. They empower participants to grow both professionally and personally while contributing to their home communities through the exchange of knowledge, values and innovative practices. I believe this will turn out to be one of the best life experiences anyone could have. So, I strongly recommend applying to Fulbright programs.”
Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
A: “I am truly honored to represent Kosovo as a Fulbright scholar and to be part of such a meaningful global network. I look forward to learning from the Georgia State community and sharing my experiences with others upon my return.”