For Isabelle Matthys ‘25, communication has always been more than words - it’s a connection to family, identity, and purpose. Inspired by her own experiences with deaf relatives, Matthys found her calling in speech-language pathology. Now, after earning her master’s degree, she’s ready to use her voice to help others find theirs.
“My dad is a special education teacher, so I was involved in events and experiences that helped me understand and support the community from a young age,” Matthys said. “Those experiences taught me that being different doesn’t mean being less, it just means we all have something valuable to offer.”
These experiences weren’t just memories, they shaped her worldview and deepened her sensitivity to the invisible challenges others might face. Growing up with close connections to individuals who experienced speech therapy allowed Matthys to see communication not just as a skill, but as a vital link to belonging and understanding.
“You never know what someone is going through just based on their physical appearance,” Matthys said. “Being deaf doesn’t have to be seen as a disability. It can be embraced as a unique part of who you are, and we can all work towards being more inclusive rather than placing labels, because at the end of the day, we are all the same."
Before enrolling at St. Ambrose, Matthys worked at ChildServe, a nonprofit pediatric rehabilitation organization, where she gained hands-on experience working one-on-one with children with autism. This experience deepened her understanding of individual communication styles and reinforced the importance of meeting clients where they are.
“I got to work with two kids, and that experience varied just based on maturity levels and their ages,” Matthys said. “It was just trying to get them more into the community. I learned a lot about patience and just being more understanding of people.”
That understanding carried over into her broader approach to care, where she learned not to make assumptions based on a diagnosis. “Working with ChildServe, it allowed me to get to know the person before putting that label on them,” Matthys said.
Matthys credits much of her clinical development to classes with Darci Becker, PhD, who specializes in acquired, neurogenic disorders. These classes helped bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“We got real clinical experience. Not just hearing about what happens in class, but seeing it in the real world as well,” Matthys said.
A lab activity in which students interviewed Becker acting as a patient prepared Matthys in unexpected ways.
“At the time, I didn’t really know why the lab activities were so valuable. But when I did my medical internship, I had to do those exact scenarios.”
Over the past year, Matthys completed two intensive internships: one in a medical outpatient rehab center working with adults, and one in an elementary school. The contrasting settings helped her explore different areas of interest within the field.
“At the end of my first internship, I had built such good relationships with my patients, Matthys said. “I had so many patients tell me, ‘You have helped me so much. You made me believe in myself. You don’t get those moments every day, but those are the moments you grasp onto.”
Her time at St. Ambrose also helped her grow on a personal level, particularly in how she views others with compassion and understanding. She says she approaches daily interactions, on campus or in society, with more empathy.
“You really don’t know what someone is going through,” Matthys said. “Even simple things, like someone driving strangely on the road, or the person in front of you at a restaurant taking longer to order. I try to be more patient and sympathetic.”
Now, Matthys is preparing for the next chapter. She is moving to Tennessee, where she accepted a position in the Nashville school district. She’s particularly looking forward to working with Nashville’s culturally diverse student population.
“It’s like a melting pot, you see so many different types of things,” Matthys said. “I’m really excited just to experience everything that comes with it.”
With compassion at the core of her work and confidence hard-earned through challenge, Isabelle Matthys is ready to help others find their voice, one conversation at a time.
Discover how the Speech-Language Pathology program at St. Ambrose University prepares compassionate, driven professionals to make a difference.
