Growing up in Reno, Lexali Bravo knew since her junior year in high school that she wanted to pursue a career in speech pathology and audiology. Now a graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) Speech Pathology and Audiology program, she is turning that dream into a career focused on helping others find their voice. Inspired by her close relationships with her grandparents and a passion for serving older adults, Bravo hopes to expand access to communication services for underserved populations, particularly within the Spanish-speaking community. As she prepares the next chapter of her career as a master’s student in the Speech-Language Pathology program at UNR Med, she remains committed to giving back to the community that helped shape her journey. 

What is your background, and what drew you to the University? 

“I am a Reno local who has always looked forward to attending the University. My undergraduate journey began at Truckee Meadows Community College, where I spent three years earning my associate of science degree before transferring to the University of Nevada, Reno. Although I loved my experience at community college, I was excited to continue my education to learn more about my specialty and become involved in the speech clinic.” 

Why did you decide to pursue speech pathology and audiology? How did you discover the field? 

“I first learned about speech pathology during my junior year of high school through the YouTube channel Special Books by Special Kids. After doing more research about the field, I quickly realized it was the right one for me. I was inspired by the impact speech-language pathologists have on their clients' lives and the meaningful connections they build with patients and colleagues. Ever since then, I have been hooked on speech pathology.” 

What area or specialty are you most passionate about, and what draws you to it? 

“I am passionate about working with the older adult population in communication and cognition. I hope to specialize in aphasia and expand therapy services for older adult Spanish speakers. My grandparents were extremely influential in my life, and I always loved spending time with them. My relationships with them influenced me to earn a gerontology minor. While attending the University, I learned about the ways the older adult population is underserved. This motivates me to continue pursuing speech-language pathology and help older adults maintain their voice and ability to communicate.” 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced during your education, and how did you overcome it? 

“The biggest challenge I faced at the University was finding the balance between work and school. Throughout my undergraduate years, I worked while holding leadership roles, teaching assistant positions and internships. After struggling for a year, I finally swallowed my pride and asked to meet with my boss. He showed me kindness and understanding by working around my academic commitments, and I feel grateful to have found a supportive workplace.” 

Can you share a memorable experience from your undergraduate education that has significantly impacted your journey toward becoming a speech pathologist? 

“For my gerontology minor, I completed a community service-learning experience in a variety of settings, including speech-language pathology-related placements such as the Aphasia Center of Nevada. Through this experience, I learned how therapy connects patients to the real world and supports meaningful participation in everyday life. I came to understand that people are more than their diagnosis. They attend therapy so they can continue joking with friends, talking with loved ones and communicating confidently in their communities. My placements outside of speech-language pathology also opened my eyes to the challenges older adults face, particularly the need for more accessible and affordable enrichment. These experiences strengthened my desire to become a clinician who connects with patients on a deeper, more personal level.” 

What are your post-graduation and career plans? I understand you’re continuing at the University—what influenced that decision? 

“My post-graduation plan is to earn my master's degree in speech-language pathology at the University. I decided to stay in Reno because I love my village! Most of my family lives in Reno and they support me in so many ways. I have also built meaningful friendships with people from my undergraduate cohort who will also be attending the master's program. I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the people I care about most.” 

What advice would you give to future students? 

“Join a club on campus and get involved with campus life. You will find friends with similar interests, and it can provide different opportunities. Go Pack!”