Health and Human Sciences senior Kelsey Smart earns 2025 Flora Roberts Award for exceptional Purdue senior

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu 

Kelsey Smart(Photo provided)

When Kelsey Smart, a senior in the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences, was a kid, she dreamed of becoming a scientist. As she got older, she considered teaching. So, when she discovered speech-language pathology, she saw her dreams align toward Purdue’s No. 2-ranked speech-language pathology program. As she prepares to graduate with a triple major in speech, language, and hearing sciences; sociology; and linguistics and take her next giant leap toward graduate school, Smart is being recognized with one of the university’s highest student honors, the Flora Roberts Award. 

“This is such a huge recognition, and it puts into perspective the last four years of hard work,” Smart said. “I’m not sure if I paused and reflected enough throughout my undergrad, and this last semester, I just feel this overwhelming wave of gratitude. All of the people within my Purdue community and their support — it means the world to me that they were on my team and made this happen.” 

Smart poses with her poster at the SEISMIC Annual Summer Meeting.(Photo provided)

When Smart entered Purdue as a first-year student in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS), she didn’t set out to pursue three majors. However, after taking a sociology class in the College of Liberal Arts, she valued the complement that cultural knowledge would bring to her degree. Then, once she delved deeper into linguistics during her sophomore year, she could see how that in-depth expertise would boost her education as well. 

When she approached her academic advisor, Anna Ochs, to ask if a triple major was possible, she found Ochs encouraging her toward her full potential.  

“That confidence and support from her pushed me, and I’ve been able to pursue those three majors,” Smart said. “I’m having that interdisciplinary degree the John Martinson Honors College told me to shoot for from the very beginning.” 

For Smart, the entire Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences stands out for its ability to guide students toward success.  

Smart (front, center) poses with her friends at a football tailgate.(Photo provided)

“I didn’t realize how special our department was until I branched out and talked to friends,” Smart said. “SLHS particularly is a community of people who genuinely want you to be there, care about your well-being and want you to succeed. That support has been so special.” 

Outside of the classroom, Smart is involved in the Best Buddies student organization, which matches Purdue students in one-to-one friendships with adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. She has served as the organization’s activity coordinator, president and is currently serving as the presidential mentor.  

Smart is also part of Natalya Kaganovich’s Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, where she assists with keeping the 8-to-12-year-old research participants on task, scoring the language and literacy standardized test the lab administers, and processing research data.  

“Kelsey joined my lab when she was still a first-year student at Purdue, which is a very rare occurrence, Kaganovich said. “From early on, she struck me as a highly motivated student who was already deeply involved with the Best Buddies program and was truly excited about being engaged in research projects. She proved to be an outstanding undergraduate research assistant. Her skills and responsibilities have grown considerably over the years and included some tasks that are typically reserved for graduate students.” 

Smart (right) poses with her mentor Dan Guberman when he was recognized with a 2023-24 John Martinson Honors College Scholarly Project Mentor Award.(Photo provided)

Smart also works as a student pedagogy advocate for Purdue’s Center for Instructional Excellence, a position she began her sophomore year. The program pairs undergraduate students with faculty members to enhance teaching and learning in their courses. Smart has been paired with faculty members throughout the university during her six semesters with the program under the guidance of Dan Guberman, assistant director of inclusive pedagogy in the center.  

“It’s very niche and new,” Smart said. “This position has introduced me to the world of academia, and it led to two publications, one as a first author.” 

As Smart prepares to take her next giant leap toward graduate school, she reflects on all she’s accomplished as a leader, mentor and colleague during her four years at Purdue. 

“I came into Purdue wanting to enter a field and pursue a career where kindness, empathy and thoughtfulness were the core pillars, and in everything I have done and poured my heart into at Purdue, I’ve been able to carry those three traits front and center,” Smart said. “I’m very proud of that.”