Latavia Sturdivant graduated in 2014with a B.A. in speech pathology, but in some ways she’s been a Lehman College student since childhood. Sturdivant went on to earn an advanced degree in communication sciences and disorders from Columbia University and is now an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences at Lehman. Born with cerebral palsy, Sturdivant benefitted from speech therapy as a child and brings that unique perspective to her work as a therapist and teacher. At Lehman, she became a fierce advocate for differently-abled people. In fact, she played a role in the installation of everyday campus conveniences like automatic doors. Now she hosts an award-winning podcast, “Queens on a Roll.” While Lehman certainly had a major impact on her life, it is fair to say she has made a major impact at the College. (This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.)
What drew you to Lehman College?
I had been attending Lehman College my whole life. My mother placed me in continuing education classes as a young child. I was even enrolled in the College Now program. So, Lehman always felt like my second home.
What motivated you to choose your major?
I always wanted to help people and give back to the ably different community. So, giving people the ability to communicate was my way of giving back.
What did your Lehman education make possible for you?
My Lehman degree allowed me to move on and attend Columbia University and obtain my master’s in speech-language pathology. Lehman provided me with exceptional foundational skills in the major to be successful at the graduate level.
How did your work as an activist begin?
I got tired of seeing services for the ably-different community diminish, or consistently receive budget cuts, and these are services that we need to be productive citizens. For example, in New York State, there has been a 19% attrition rate in vendors or places that supply orthotics and prosthetics due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates. A place where I have obtained my braces since I was 18 months old was in danger of closing, and I just couldn't sit back and let that happen. So, I decided to do something about it.
How was Lehman involved in your journey to activism?
I have been advocating for things that I needed from my teenage years to now, which I have to give my mother credit for. She advocated tirelessly for me and gave me the personal tools I needed to advocate for myself. However, while I was attending Lehman, I had to advocate for desks to sit at in the classroom and automatic doors. Basically, I was advocating for more accessibility on campus. So, Lehman was definitely part of the journey.
What are a few of the most important things you've worked on or achieved?
Being a speech-language pathologist, and developing my podcast, “Queens on a Roll,” which I created to educate and inspire people about the ably-different community. It was voted one of the best Cerebral Palsy podcasts of 2023. Additionally, I am a lead advocate for the Amputee Coalition and I am a part of advisory councils in NY.
What motivated you to return to Lehman to teach?
After the COVID pandemic I noticed that some students, affected by the switch to online education, lacked the foundational skills that I received. So, I wanted to come back and make a difference.
What do you most want to inspire in your students?
I want them to be opened-minded and understand that difference doesn't mean lack of abilities.
What are three words you’d use to describe Lehman and why?
“Determined,” because the faculty is determined to put out exceptional people in their field; “Diversified,” because people at Lehman come from all walks of life; and “Proud,” because the College is very proud its students and alumni.