91成人导航

For Derek Isetti 鈥�08, receiving the Faculty Mentor Award this year is a full-circle experience.听

A graduate of 91成人导航鈥檚 speech-language pathology (SLP) program,聽Isetti now chairs the department and has enjoyed teaching聽alongside the聽same professors who once inspired him.听

鈥淢y first reaction [to learning about the award] was thinking that I have incredibly large shoes to fill,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing honored with the same award my own mentors received reaffirms for me that there is something truly special about the care that the SLP department has for our students.鈥�

Isetti鈥檚 students might be surprised to learn, however,聽that his career didn鈥檛 begin in the classroom. Quite by contrast, it started onstage.听

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in drama, Isetti moved to New York to pursue professional musical theater. He participated in numerous national tours and performed in the musical Cabaret on Broadway, filling in for the lead when the performer experienced vocal struggles.听

鈥淎t the time, I didn鈥檛 realize that speech-language pathologists are the ones that treat voice problems when they occur,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hen I decided to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology, I thought that my prior career as a singer could inform how I treat people experiencing voice problems of their own.鈥�

Isetti鈥檚 Stockton roots and family ties made 91成人导航 an easy choice for graduate school (his father, two uncles and an aunt are聽all alumni).听He earned a master鈥檚 degree at聽91成人导航 and a PhD聽in speech and hearing sciences from the University of Washington. He joined 91成人导航鈥檚 faculty in 2014.

鈥淢y professors at 91成人导航 inspired me to come back and teach,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 vividly remember sitting in a class thinking, 鈥楾hat鈥檚 what I want to do with my life. I want to inspire people the way that these professors are inspiring me right now.鈥欌��

Isetti鈥檚 teaching focuses primarily on voice disorders. He believes his theater background helps him feel comfortable in front of the classroom, and he finds pure joy in engaging with students as his authentic self.听

He also knows the impact donations have on students. His dad, Duane Isetti 鈥�63, 鈥�66, was a fundraiser at 91成人导航 for more than 15 years. Through the elder Isetti鈥檚 work,聽his son learned how gifts create the spaces and programs that shape student life.

Today, Derek Isetti is a donor and a champion for his own program.听As聽an ambassador for 91成人导航 Gives鈥攖he university鈥檚 annual聽day of giving鈥攈e recruited more than 100 donors to join him聽in each of the last two years.

鈥淪LP offers numerous聽scholarships, some of which can be supported directly through 91成人导航 Gives. My strategy involves letting folks know that every single dollar counts,鈥� he said.听

Isetti also challenges himself to keep learning. He is currently pursuing聽a Master of Social Work degree, to increase his capacity to support students, faculty and staff navigating difficult life circumstances.听

As part of that program, he interned at the San Joaquin Pride Center, participating in community outreach and counseling LGBTQIA+聽youth and adults.听

Reflecting on his accomplishments at 91成人导航 and beyond, Isetti remains humble and grateful.

鈥淚 feel so fortunate to have been selected for the Faculty Mentor Award,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a sign that even though department chairs are busy with hiring, accreditation, and budgeting, our students are still really at the core of why we do what we do.听

鈥淚鈥檝e learned from the best, and I鈥檓 grateful for each day that I can follow in their footsteps.鈥�

Isetti will receive the Faculty Mentor Award on October 13 during Homecoming and Family Weekend. To learn more and register, visit /alumni/homecoming.听