When Sarena Foreman enrolled at Lemoore College in 2015,she wasn鈥檛 quite sure where her path would lead. What she did know was that she loved learning and had a deep desire to make a difference鈥攖wo traits that would guide her through a remarkable academic and professional journey.
Nearly a decade later, Sarena is preparing to complete her master鈥檚 degree in communication sciences and disorders and begin her clinical fellowship year as a licensed speech language pathologist. But her story starts with a President鈥檚 Scholar Scholarship at Lemoore College, where her tuition and books were fully covered, and her confidence began to take root.
鈥淟emoore College was the right choice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t gave me a strong foundation, and I had so much support, both financially and personally.鈥�
While attending Lemoore College, Sarena worked as a student worker in the marketing department, where she helped manage social media content, interviewed students, and covered campus events. This role gave her firsthand experience in communication, collaboration, and public outreach鈥攕kills that would later support her success in speechlanguage pathology and connecting with clients and families.
She majored in liberal arts, emphasizing teaching and humanities, and initially considered becoming a teacher. But after spending time helping her younger sister, who had a speech impediment, attend therapy appointments, Sarena found a new passion.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 really where my interest began,鈥� she said. 鈥淲atching how speech therapists worked with children and made such an impact鈥攊t stuck with me.鈥�
After graduating from Lemoore College in 2017, she transferred to Sacramento State and earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019. While there, she worked in the university鈥檚 on-campus speech clinic, where she gained hands-on experience supporting stroke survivors in their rehabilitation journey. This experience deepened her commitment to the field and gave her practical insightinto the impact of communication therapy.
In 2021, Sarena returned to Kings County and began working with Access Speech Therapy in Hanford, where she completed her clinical hours while enrolled in Loma Linda University鈥檚 speech-language pathology assistant certification program. Rather than pursue SLPA work, she advanced into a master鈥檚 program at the University of South Carolina in communication sciences and disorders.
As she worked toward her degree, Sarena was hired by the Kings County Office of Education as a Speech-Language Pathologist under a state-approved waiver, allowing her to serve students directly while completing her education. She balanced her time between the school district and part-time work at Access Speech Therapy, gaining experience in both public and private settings.
She supports K鈥�8 students with articulation, language, and communication challenges, focusing particularly on moderate to severe support needs. At Access, she also trains parents to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices 鈥攖echnology that gives nonverbal or minimally verbal children a way to express themselves.
鈥淭hese devices give children a voice,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 powerful to be part of that process.鈥�
Outside of her clinical work, Sarena has always carved out time to be creative. She sews, crafts,solves puzzles, and reads鈥攐ften alongside her 12-year-old cat, Milo, who has been with hersince her earliest college days. Milo moved with her through every chapter of her academic career, providing comfort and consistency.
鈥淗e鈥檚 been with me through it all鈥攕tudying late, moving,starting new jobs,鈥� she said. 鈥淢ilo hasseen every version of this journey.鈥�
At one point, Sarena even ran a small business that made and sold handmade pet toys, inspired partly by Milo. Her love for animals, quiet hobbies, and a steady hand with creative work echo the calm and care she brings to her professional life.
This summer, Sarena will complete her practicum and graduate with her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She鈥檒l then begin her clinical fellowship year to earn her Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Her long-term goal is to open a private practice focused on early intervention.
鈥淚 really enjoy working closely with families and helping young children develop their voices,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where I feel I can make the biggest difference.鈥�
Reflecting on how far she鈥檚 come, Sarena credits Lemoore College as the launchpad for everything that followed.
鈥淟emoore gave me the tools, the support, and the confidence to grow into who I am today,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd now, I get to turn around and use those tools to help others.鈥�