We support, promote, and advance higher education in

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Excellence * Visionary Leadership * Collaboration

 

Dear CAPCSD Members:
 
The Board of Directors is pleased to introduce the 2022-2023 CAPCSD Committee Chairs. 

 

These individuals work hard on the day-to-day coordination of their respective committees. We appreciate their contributions!

 
Warm regards,
Jenny

Jennifer Taylor, President

 

Admissions Data Subcommittee

 

Laura Plexico, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is a Professor, Department Chair and Clinic Director for the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Department at Auburn University. She teaches courses in fluency disorders and speech science. Her research concentrates on psychosocial aspects of stuttering, communicative interaction, and the processes of personal change.

 

The Admissions Data subcommittee is in place to review admissions data and to evaluate requests for the CSDCAS open data initiative. Current committee members include Douglas Parham, Steffany Chleboun, and Radhika Aravamudhan.

 
image Michael Bamdad

Admissions Recruitment Subcommittee

 

Karen Villanueva, M.S., CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a lecturer and the undergraduate program coordinator in the School of Communication Disorders and Deafness at Kean University in NJ. Her primary teaching and clinical interests include the evaluation and management of dysphagia, voice, and acquired motor speech disorders in adults. This is Karen's third year volunteering for CAPCSD.  

The Recruitment Subcommittee facilitates resources to help CAPCSD members connect with prospective applicants and support them in their pursuit of careers in speech-language pathology and audiology. The committee also works with existing member programs and their students to explore how CAPCSD and CSDCAS can support the admissions process.

"I enjoy meeting and collaborating with colleagues across the country who share my love of teaching and working with students in higher education." 

 

Admissions Resource Subcommittee

 

Nicole Reisfeld, SLPD, CCC-SLP, is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Northern Colorado. She currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the graduate Speech-Language Pathology Online and Residential programs, overseeing admissions for those programs.  Clinical, teaching and research interests include admissions, student success, and Community Engaged Learning.  This is Nicole’s third year volunteering for CAPCSD. 

 

The Resource Subcommittee’s goal is to provide applicants and graduate programs with the tools they need to navigate admissions processes.  The committee works with existing member programs to determine how CAPCSD and CSDCAS can work together to meet applicant and program needs.


“I am excited to continue my involvement on the Resource Committee and work with this group of dedicated and innovative colleagues to improve graduate admissions processes for our students and our programs.”

 
image Jennifer Simpson

Clinical Education Committee

 

Andy Clare, M.S., CCC-SLP, CBIS, is the Assistant Director of Clinical Education at The George Washington University.  The incredible Clinical Education Committee volunteers work to support our member programs by developing, refining, and marketing CAPCSD’s free online CEU courses in clinical education.

 

"I am truly excited to be volunteering with CAPCSD. The collaborative problem-solving and group commitment to excellence is inspiring. I am grateful for my ever-expanding professional network of amazing CAPCSD peers as we serve our academic communities, improve academic and clinical instruction practices, and promote higher education in our field."

 
image Jennifer Taylor

Conference Planning Committee

 

Heidi Verticchio is the Clinic Director and Director of Advisement in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Illinois State University. Her primary responsibilities include managing the business operations of the on-campus Eckelmann-Taylor Speech and Hearing Clinic.  Additionally, Heidi is the academic advisor for graduate students in the Master’s and Clinical Doctoral programs.

 

This year’s committee members include Leanna Lawrence, Samantha Lewis, Kimmerly Harrell, and Erica Williams, and Tricia Montgomery, VP of Professional Development, serves as Monitoring Officer. The role of the committee is to plan and develop the annual CAPCSD conference held in the spring.

 

"I attended my first CAPCSD conference in 2009 in Newport Beach, CA, and have volunteered in several areas of the organization since that time. CAPCSD has contributed to my professional and personal growth over the years and I’m thankful for the opportunity to ‘give back’. My volunteer work with CAPCSD reinforces the process of lifelong learning while allowing me to meet and network with so many in our field." 

 
image Mark DeRuiter

DEI Committee Co-Chair

 

Danai Fannin, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an associate professor at North Carolina Central University.

 

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion committee is designed to ensure that academic programs have the knowledge and resources to run programs where students are being treated equitably and feeling included in all aspects of their educational experience.

 

"I enjoy volunteering for CAPCSD because the organization as a whole seems receptive to change, feedback, and providing support for committees to execute their plans."

 
image Ashley Harkrider

DEI Committee Co-Chair

 

Kerry Mandulak is an associate professor at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. She teaches courses in Stuttering, Voice Disorders, and Cleft & Craniofacial Conditions at the graduate level, and Speech Science and Anatomy & Physiology at the undergraduate level. Her research is focused on feasibility and outcomes of holistic review for graduate admissions in CSD.  Kerry's current interests/hyperfocuses are being a novice birder, cheering on Oregon State University gymnastics, helping her son with his lacrosse game by being his training partner, continuing to work on her martial arts as a first degree black belt, doing lots of crafts with her other son, and trying to plan to visit all.of.the.places in Oregon and Washington with her partner David!


Kerry serves as co-chair of the DEI Committee, along with her incredible colleague Dr. Danai Fannin.  They serve as a resource to the Board and the committees, and consult with them regarding DEI issues and questions. They also working on some new projects and initiatives this year! The committee is a diverse group on many dimensions, from doc students to senior faculty members, and they all recognize the importance and impact of engaging in this work.  


"I love volunteering for CAPCSD because it's collaborative, inspiring, and important work. I feel supported by leadership and valued for what I bring to the table in terms of my strengths and interests. I have been able to develop my deep interest in admissions work through my previous CAPCSD service on the CSDCAS committee, and for that, I am so grateful (and I get to continue that work on the DEI Committee!)"

 

DEI Academy Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair

 

Jayne Brandel, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Chairperson of the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders at West Virginia University. Her areas of teaching and research are related to language acquisition and developmental language disorders as well as improving integration of theoretical treatment and diagnostic principles to improve clinical practice. Jayne has served as the CAPCSD Board of Directors Secretary, a member of the annual conference planning committee, and currently is co-chair of the Ad Hoc DEI Academy Committee.  

 
image Maya Clark

DEI Academy Ad Hoc Committee Co-Chair

 

Maya Reynolds Clark, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, CDE®, has focused her career on multicultural issues that impact communicative interactions as well as encounters in education and healthcare. Her primary teaching, clinical, and scholarship interests include: Cultural, linguistic and socio-economic factors in communication and cognition, Implicit Bias, Compassion Fatigue in health professions, Health disparities, and Social cognitive theory. She also serves as a national consultant and trainer in the areas of leadership, diversity, communication, and social engagement.

 

"I find CAPCSD to be tuned-in to the everyday workings of programs. I've been helped tremendously by the organization's resources and wanted to do the same for others and give back through volunteering."

 

Essential Functions Task Force

 

Jennifer Mackey, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the Director of Clinical Education at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA.  Her interests include clinical education and mentorship, advocacy, early intervention, and working with families.  She serves as the VP of Advocacy for the Massachusetts Speech, Language, and Hearing Association as well as the Higher Ed Early Intervention Committee for MA Department of Public Health.


The Essential Functions Task Force is charged with reviewing and revising the current Essential Functions document. The group is currently gathering input from various stakeholder groups and will present its findings at the 2023 CAPCSD Conference. 


"I wanted to volunteer for CAPCSD as I have found the organization to be a tremendous source of support and information not just for my current job, but my career.  I hope to connect with other professionals in our field and to be a part of CAPCSD's mission and core values. Volunteering allows me to add to my Community of Practice and to nurture my love and commitment to life-long learning. I am grateful to be mentored by such talented and caring people."

 
image Tricia Montgomery

Honors and Awards Committee

 

Judith Vander Woude is Professor Emeritus in the Speech Pathology and Audiology department at Calvin University. Her focus throughout her career has been on program development and interprofessional education. In the past, she served CAPCSD as a committee member, conference chair, board member, and is a past-president.  

The committee has the pleasure of recommending to CAPCSD’s Board of Directors, individuals for Honors of the Council, the highest honor bestowed by CAPCSD, and individuals and organizations for the Distinguished Contributions and Excellence in Diversity Awards. 

"It has always been a pleasure to volunteer for CAPCSD. Our work is productive and meaningful for CSD programs and students. While volunteering over the years, I have met wonderful people, many of whom have become close friends."

 
Kevin McNamara

IPE/IPP Committee

 

Laura Karcher, M.A., CCC-SLP, CBIS, is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences at Indiana University. She has served as Speech-Language Clinic Director since 2001 and serves as the IPE champion for SLHS. Laura is a contributor to the IU Team Education Advancing Collaboration in Healthcare (TEACH!) curriculum, a longitudinal curriculum that trains students across the professional programs. Laura and her colleagues in Medicine and Social Work collaborated on a multi-year IPE/IPP project which provided in-home community based treatment services to individuals post brain injury with an emphasis on community health. 

 

The CAPCSD IPE/IPP committee is charged with supporting member programs in the implementation of IPE in their curricula. The committee website answers questions and provides up-to-date resources to assist programs new to IPE/IPP as well as those looking for cutting-edge ideas for implementation. The committee is also excited to introduce the interactive web-based IPE/IPP Information Exchange, a yearlong online learning event aimed at supporting faculty and programs interested in expanding IPE/IPP experiences for students. 

 

"I enjoy volunteering for CAPCSD because I have the privilege of working alongside the best and brightest in the field and supporting the future of our professions."

 

Leadership Academy

 

Julie Wolter, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Associate Vice Provost of Innovation and Online Learning and an affiliate Professor of the School of Speech, Language, Hearing and Occupational Sciences at the University of Montana and a recognized Fellow of the American Speech Language and Hearing Association. 

 
image JoAnne Cascia

Media Strategy Committee

 

Kelly Farquarson, is associate professor at Florida State University. She runs the Children’s Literacy and Speech Sound (CLaSS) Lab, with a mission to help children with speech and language impairments achieve classroom success. Kelly uses social media often to promote her research or clinically-relevant information (Instagram: @classlab_FSU).  Her role as chair of the Media Strategy Committee is a natural fit. 

The Media Strategy Committee is broadly responsible for communication and connection. We promote CAPCSD’s mission and vision through our Facebook page and seek to connect CAPCSD members through engagement and informative posts related to the profession. 

"CAPCSD is a well-respected organization and a strong resource for those of us in academia. I have loved volunteering for CAPCSD because I’ve met so many wonderful people and have learned a ton about the dynamics of other CSD programs."

 

Membership Committee

 

Jennifer L. Smart, Ph.D., CCC-A, is an Associate Professor and the Audiology Graduate Program Director in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her primary teaching includes audiologic assessment, pediatrics, and special topics (e.g., tinnitus & auditory processing disorder). Her areas of research include diversity education for graduate students, inclusive healthcare, and auditory processing disorder. Jen is also a volunteer Clinical Director for Special Olympics Michigan. This is Jen’s 2nd year volunteering for CAPCSD.  

 

The Membership committee is focused on supporting member programs and individuals in the member programs. The committee’s overall goal this year is to increase engagement of the individuals at member programs with CAPCSD.

 

“I enjoy working with faculty from various member programs. It is fun to create new ways to connect with our peers and to share the member benefits of CAPCSD with everyone.”

 

Nominations Committee

 

Cara Boester is the Director of Clinical Experiences for Speech-Language Pathology in the CSD Department at Illinois State University. Her duties include scheduling on-campus clinic, part-time off-site placements and full-time externships for each graduate speech cohort.  She also is involved in many other duties as assigned.  Her areas of interest include supervision and providing speech, language and aural rehab services to deaf/hard of hearing patients across the age span. 

Cara is the Chair of the nominations committee, and her team includes Elaine Mormer and Ann Eddins. The committee prepares a slate of officer candidates to present to the CAPCSD Board of Directors for approval with a final vote by CAPCSD Membership. The nomination and evaluation process ensures the slate includes diverse backgrounds, identities and abilities to help represent the mission of CAPCSD across member programs. 

"I fell in love with CAPCSD from the first time I attended in 2009. CAPCSD has been a huge influence on me personally and professionally. I enjoy volunteering for CAPCSD because being involved brings me new energy and continued passion to improve our profession.  I have made lifelong friends at CAPCSD conferences and I want others to be able to find that same sense of belonging and renewed spirit. Thank you CAPCSD for allowing me to give back."

 

Online Professional Development Committee

 

Erin E.G. Lundblom is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh where she has taught a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. She is the director of clinical education for the Speech-Language Pathology program. In this role she oversees each student’s clinical education, as well as, manages the development of external clinical placements to support the clinical education model of the Department of Communication Science and Disorders.  Erin is interested in the provision of school-based language and literacy services including service delivery options, and higher education pedagogy. Erin has provided many years of service to the state professional organization (PSHA—Pennsylvania Speech-Language Hearing Association) in various roles including convention planning.

 

The Online Professional Development Committee plans the online webinars that are offered throughout the year. The committee meets monthly to identify topics of interest, locate and vet potential speakers, and coordinate with CAPCSD staff to create a schedule of planned content and speakers while meeting continuing education requirements. 

 

"A few years ago, I had been interested in expanding my service contributions. I had the fortunate opportunity to join this committee when it was initially created under the direction of Lisa Scott. Lisa had a strong vision for this committee, and she was a genius. The onset of Covid-19 and shift to virtual everything reinforced the need for CAPCSD to offer online and timely continuing education content to members. I volunteer to contribute to our professions and honor a dear friend."

 

 

Scholarship Committee

 

Craig A. Champlin is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Science at The University of Texas-Austin, where he held the Lillie Hage Jamail Centennial Professorship in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He taught courses in hearing science, instrumentation, electrophysiological audiometry, and hearing conservation.

 

Upcoming

Look for announcements of the upcoming events in September.

  • The Lisa Scott Leadership Academy Applications Opened September 12th
  • IPE/IPP Information Exchange - Taking the First Step: IPE/IPP Accountability 101 - September 22nd, 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Microaggressions and Beyond: Understanding Challenges for Underrepresented Students in CSD - September 27th, 7:00 p.m. ET
  • Challenging Student Placements: Strategies for Strengthening Clinical Partnerships - September 29th, 7:00 p.m. ET