Academic Affairs Committee

Dr. Debra (Debbie) Burnett is an associate professor of communication sciences and disorders and the Interim Dean of the School of Health Sciences at Springfield College in Springfield, MA. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Geneseo and her PhD from Syracuse University.  Her research interests include child language, assessment in early childhood, and SoTL.

Joe Ashenden’s primary responsibilities include providing clinical education and classroom teaching in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Ashenden also acts as an advisor for the master’s speech-language pathology program. Ashenden joined the department from Pittsburgh Public schools, where he served as a speech-language pathologist for students in grades kindergarten through 12. Ashenden is passionate about clinical education and the role school-based speech-language pathologists can play in supporting children with disabilities and their families.

Jamie Desjardins is an Associate Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Programs in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). She teaches both in the graduate Doctor of Audiology program and in the undergraduate program in CSD. Her research focuses on the aging auditory system and hearing aid use among older adults. he primary objective of her research is to improve hearing health care for older adults through both basic and clinical research. Currently, she is examining the effects of bilingualism on speech perception and listening effort in older adults. In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Desjardins is a licensed clinical audiologist with more than fifteen years of experience in adult diagnostics and hearing aids.

Valarie B. Fleming, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Faculty Affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, provides executive leadership for central campus administrative units supporting academic programs and faculty members. Dr. Fleming holds degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas and the University of Memphis, and a PhD in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Patti Johnstone, Ph.D. CCC-SLP/A is Professor, Founding Chair of the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, and Program Director of the MS-SLP degree program at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Dr. Johnstone holds an undergraduate degree from Loma Linda University, two graduate clinical degrees (one in speech-language pathology and one in audiology) from the University at Buffalo (SUNY), and a research doctorate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Dr. Johnstone has 40+ years of work as a professional in communication disorders. She is embarking on her 20th year in academia. Prior to her work at Viterbo University, Dr. Johnstone spent 17 years at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Knoxville, as the Director of Clinical Education for the Au.D. program. Please follow link for research publications and interests: Johnstone - Google Scholar

Kim Murza, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, received her doctorate in Education: Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Central Florida, where she specialized in language and literacy. She is currently the Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Affairs in the College of Natural and Health Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado and previously served as a Professor of Speech-Language Pathology in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. Dr. Murza has worked privately and in the public school system as a speech-language pathologist with children and adolescents of all ages. She is passionate about supporting school-based speech-language pathologists to provide inclusive and collaborative services. Her main research area is the development, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality professional learning in the schools. Additional research interests include interprofessional collaboration in the schools, coaching of extenders, community-engaged learning, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. More recently, she’s been involved in the development and program coordination of the Greeley Treasure Chest Program and Project L.I.F.E. (Literacy for Immigrant Families Everyday).

Ned has almost 40 years of experience working with non-profit organizations, primarily in membership, continuing education, and event planning. Ned serves as the Executive Director for CAPCSD. 

In his new position, Ned will provide extensive support to the Board of Directors and its committees, manage the membership program, contribute to annual conference planning, and supervise The Lisa Scott Leadership Academy, DEI Academy, and Admissions Summit. He will coordinate scholarships, oversee professional development initiatives, and maintain the organization's website. Ned will manage the CAPCSD Team, administration, financial record-keeping, and contract management. 

Ned is an active member of the American Society of Association Executives and serves as a volunteer for United Way.

Outside his professional endeavors, Ned enjoys spending quality time with his family in Florida and Georgia, his two dachshunds, and hiking.