Christina Laur-Nuernberger
Christina Laur-Nuernberger
Class Year
’09
Current home
Pittsburgh, PA
Major(s)
Music
Current Position
Speech-Language Pathologist, Voice Specialist, Physician Liason
Christina Laur-Nuernberger was a stand-out student at Carthage. A Presidential Scholar, she received a Music Major Scholarship, the Hazel Bothe Memorial Scholarship, the Alice M. and Neill O. Rowe Endowed Scholarship, and the Duane M. Olson Endowed Scholarship.
She graduated summa cum laude in 2009 with All-College Honors and Departmental Honors in music.
But music was not her only passion.
“At Carthage, I had made every effort to combine art and science, and I continued this effort after I graduated,” Ms. Laur-Nuernberger says.
She earned a Master of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Learning from Northwestern University. As a physician liaison for Positive Steps Therapy, she develops, coordinates and provides physician and community in-services, educational presentations, and workshops. Additionally, she coordinates sales and marketing efforts by preparing press releases, advertisements, and relevant articles for print.
Ms. Laur-Nuernberger is also a speech-language pathologist in private practice. She specializes in the treatment of voice and resonance disorders, cleft care, vocal health education, and voice training for professional voice users. She works with singers, actors, young artists in training, teachers, business professionals, and public speakers, teaching them how to find and use their best voice.
“My time at Carthage instilled in me the most important lesson: It doesn’t have to be an ‘either/or’ decision,” she says. “You really can do what you love.”
What have you enjoyed most about your career?
“My career is a wonderful blend of clinical science and patient/family interaction combined with marketing and public relations. Clinically, what I enjoy most are the intellectual challenges of evaluating new patients to formulate diagnoses, as well as the opportunity to invest in patients and families while treating and supporting improvement for speech and language disorders. My current role in healthcare marketing and clinical business development provides the opportunity to further integrate my background as a speech-language pathologist and business owner, combine it with sales and marketing experience and help patients and families gain access to physical, occupational, and speech therapy across the mid-Atlantic region. I am also an active lecturer and consultant as both a voice specialist and Estill Voice International Master Trainer.”
How did Carthage prepare you?
“My experience at Carthage prepared me to be a strong, methodical thinker. I learned that an education (and eventually a career) is about much more than simply learning material. It is about integrating ideas and problem-solving. At Carthage, I was allowed to make mistakes in a safe environment, which in turn helped instill in me to be open to change, new ideas, and hard work.
“Another aspect of my experience at Carthage that helped me prepare was the incredible openness of the faculty and staff. I formed several mentoring relationships with members of the Carthage community who supported me during my time at Carthage, and they have continued to support me since I graduated.”
How has your liberal arts education benefitted you?
“A specific example occurred when I committed to pursuing my graduate degree. After I graduated from Carthage, I spent three years working and performing in musical theater, as well as maintaining a position as a physical therapy aide in a private practice. While at Carthage, I made every effort to combine art and science, and I continued this effort after I graduated. While I knew I wanted to pursue a clinical profession, I also knew I needed that profession to include the voice, music, and performers.
“My time at Carthage instilled in me the most important lesson: it doesn’t have to be an ‘either/or’ decision; you really can do what you love. So I pursued mentorship from a voice scientist who eventually served an important role in solidifying my path as a speech-language pathologist.”
What's your favorite Carthage memory?
“Spending time with friends by the lake, Christmas Festival, attending the summer school session (no A/C but so much fun), and traveling for J-Term are some of my favorite memories. Carthage shaped me by being a community small enough to invest in me as student, while being big enough to serve as a foundation for success.”
Tips for current Carthage students?
“Allow your experience at Carthage to prepare and shape you for a lifetime. As a student, you have access to a great education, outstanding mentors, a supportive community, and an opportunity to build friendships to last forever. I graduated in 2009 with the man who is now my husband; his best friend and South Hall (now Madrigrano Hall) roommate was our best man. I talk to my RA (and one of my closest friends) on a regular basis. I keep in touch with faculty mentors who continue to be supportive. I have achieved things I truly had only dreamed of. Let Carthage shape you for a lifetime.”