Board of Directors

Christie Needham, M.A. CCC-SLP is a Professor and Director of Clinical Education at Baldwin Wallace University's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has been at Baldwin Wallace University since 2006. Christie's research has focused on clinical education, robotics, and technology. She has taught coursework including the topics of AAC, clinical writing, clinical management, and professional issues. She is excited to be serving as the President-Elect on the CAPCSD Board of Directors. 

Tricia Montgomery is a faculty member at Florida State University where she serves as the Director of Clinical Education. She previously served as the VP for Professional Development for CAPCSD and currently is the CAPCSD President.

Ashley Whicker Harkrider, Ph.D, is Interim Dean and Professor of the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology and Director of the Human Auditory Physiology Laboratory at University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Knoxville. Her teaching and research focus on physiological correlates of speech perception and production in typical and disordered populations. In July of 2022, Ashley assumed the role of Treasurer after volunteering for CAPCSD for over 12 years.  Ashley finds the resources provided by CAPCSD invaluable and is grateful for the opportunity to serve an organization that supports current and future generation of leaders in academic health care settings.

Heather Isaacson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology program at Northern Michigan University (NMU). She earned her M.A. in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Michigan State University and her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Health Sciences from Western Michigan University. Since assuming the role of Program Director in 2024, she has led the development and implementation of NMU's MSSLP program, including curriculum, admissions processes, and assessment. In addition, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in speech-language pathology, and advises graduate students. 

Dr. Isaacson’s scholarly interests center on the scholarship of teaching and learning, with a focus on assessment, feedback, and grading practices that promote student learning, engagement, and professional growth. Her work also explores innovative instructional and service-delivery models. She has presented her scholarly work at national conferences, including presentations through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CAPCSD). 

Dr. Isaacson is actively engaged in professional and institutional service. She currently serves as Chair of the Ethics Committee for the Michigan Speech-Language-Hearing Association and as Vice President of Upper Peninsula Children's Therapy Board of Directors. At Northern Michigan University, she has contributed to shared governance through leadership and service focused on curriculum, faculty affairs, academic policy, program review, and student success. 

Dr. Isaacson is honored to serve CAPCSD as Treasurer and is committed to supporting the mission and vision of CAPCSD through the core values of excellence, visionary leadership, and collaboration.  

Kelly Rutherford, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders. She received her B.S. and M.S. in Communication Disorders from Marshall University. In 2019, she completed her Ed.D. at Marshall, with a focus on Leadership Studies and Higher Education Administration. Areas of interest include aphasia, dysphagia, cognitive-communication disorders, patient education, interdisciplinary management, and cultural responsiveness relative to patient care. Dr. Rutherford teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in adult communication and cognitive disorders, advises graduate students, and serves the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center as lead faculty for the center’s Aphasia Group. She has presented her academic work at state and national conferences (including WVSHA, KSHA, WV Celebrating Connections, ASHA, and NSSA).

Douglas F. Parham, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, is the Chair, Program Director, and Professor of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Wichita State University. He serves as the Vice President of Admissions of CAPCSD after completing a four-year cycle as a member of the Admissions Committee. He is also a Site Visitor for ASHA's CAA and served two terms as the Kansas SLP Ambassador on ASHA's Committee of Ambassadors. He was the Professional Development Manager for ASHA’s Special Interest Group 19, Speech Science. He is a two-term Past President of the Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association and a Past President of the Council of State Speech-Language-Hearing Association Presidents. Dr. Parham earned his PhD in Audiology and Speech Pathology from the University of Memphis. His research interests include infant vocalization, speech breathing, typical and atypical speech-language development, physiological instrumentation, and conversational interaction.

Leslie Crusco Grubler, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, is Director of Clinical Education and Clinical Services at Lehman College, City University of New York, a Hispanic- and minority-serving institution in the Bronx. A speech-language pathologist, consultant, and advocate with 28 years of clinical and administrative experience, Dr. Grubler has advanced disability rights and inclusive practices through clinical service, scholarship, teaching, and policy engagement at city, state, and national levels.

Dr. Grubler currently serves as CAPCSD’s VP of Organizational Advancement, President-Elect of the New York State Speech Language Hearing Association (NYSSLHA), member of its Governmental Affairs Committee, has chaired multiple NYSSLHA Conference tracks, and represented New York on ASHA’s Advisory Council. In 2022, she earned an Ed.D. in Executive Leadership in Social Justice. Her dissertation, The Lived Educational Experiences of Student Clinicians with Non-Apparent Disabilities, is the first study of its kind in the field.
Dr. Grubler’s clinical and research interests include autism spectrum disorders, early childhood intervention, the study of student clinicians and clinicians with disabilities, preparing justice-centered clinicians, and the early weave of interprofessional education in clinical training.

Andy Clare, DHSc, CCC-SLP, CBIS, serves as a Clinical Associate Professor, and the Assistant Director of Clinical Education in the Department of Speech & Hearing Sciences at George Washington University. He currently serves as the Vice President of Clinical Education for the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. He teaches classes in Dysphagia, Aural Rehabilitation, and Clinical Methods for Speech-Language Pathology, and supervises graduate students in their clinical rotations through Acquired Neurological Disorders clinical practicum experiences. His research interests center on refining clinical education and supervision processes for students and supervisors in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Jana Waller, MS, CCC-SLP is an associate dean in the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance (HSHP) at Ithaca College.  She supports the departments of Exercise Science and Athletic Training (ESAT), Health Sciences and Public Health (HSPH), Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (SLPA), and the Pre-Health Professions Program.  Ms. Waller holds the rank of clinical associate professor and teaches graduate seminars in professional practice in SLP.  Her scholarship includes publications and presentations on innovative approaches for preparing future SLPs and other allied health professionals.

Heidi Verticchio, Ed.D., CCC-SLP, 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 speech-language pathology and audiology. Heidi has taught CSD 432: Professional Issues. Heidi has served as the Chairperson of the Conference Planning Committee for CAPCSD and volunteered in several capacities for CAPCSD. Additional contributions include presentations and publications in the discipline.

Dr. McKelvey is the chair of the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She has two decades of academic and clinical expertise in communication disorders. She spent 19 years at University of Nebraska at Kearney, culminating in her role as professor and associate dean of the College of Education for the last three years. Prior to that, she led the Department of Communication Disorders as chair for seven years and also served as interim chair of Teacher Education.

Her research is deeply rooted in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) assessment and intervention, particularly for adults with acquired communication disorders. Dr. McKelvey has secured funding for significant clinical research studies, exploring areas such as contextual screen displays for aphasia and creating AAC assessment protocols tailored for diverse populations including those with cerebral palsy, autism, ALS, and aphasia.

Before her academic career, Dr. McKelvey gained invaluable experience as a clinical speech-language pathologist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney, working across various settings including acute care, in-patient rehabilitation, and telemedicine. She holds a Ph.D. in communication disorders with an emphasis in acquired neurogenic disorders and AAC from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, along with master's and bachelor's degrees in the field. Dr. McKelvey has maintained active involvement with leading professional organizations, including ASHA, NSLHA, and ISAAC, for nearly 30 years.

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.