Speech Pathology and Audiology Strategic Plan

Program Mission

The mission of Speech Pathology and Audiology Program is to  1) prepare individuals to diagnose, treat, and provide information regarding communication, swallowing, hearing and balance disorders; 2) conduct research regarding the nature, treatment, and prevention of communication, swallowing, and balance disorders and differences; and 3) provide community service to help those individuals with or who are likely to develop communication, swallowing, and balance disorders and differences. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our recruitment, education, and clinical practice.

Goal 1: Provide excellence in academic and clinical education to ensure that students meet or exceed ASHA’s knowledge and skill outcomes across the scope of practice.

A. Academic Education

A.1       Attract and retain high quality faculty and clinical instructors

A.2       Increase undergraduate student enrollment and engagement

A.3       Review the undergraduate and graduate curriculum

A.4       Continue to integrate clinical and academic education

A.5       Recruit high-quality national and international doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows

A.6       Provide study abroad and distance learning opportunities for our students

B. Clinical Education

B.1       Explore novel ways to increase clinical preparation experiences for students

B.2       Continue to provide specialty clinics

B.3       Continue to identify and support students at clinical and/or academic risk

B.4       Maintain provision of simulations, telehealth, and innovative services

B.5.      Continue and increase interprofessional education opportunities

B.6.      Increase student disposition toward decreasing healthcare disparities

Goal 2: Advance Scholarly Productivity

A.        Continue to produce scholarly publications, presentations, grants, and posters by faculty, clinical instructors and  students

B.         Increase research collaboration with others within and outside the university

C.        Continue to utilize innovative research tools and methods

Goal 3: Increase outreach and visibility at the community, state, national, and international levels

A. On campus community

A.1          Expand diversity of undergraduate and graduate enrollment

A.2           Continue collaboration with Student Accessibility Services (SAS), the Student Health Center, Division of People, Culture, and Belonging, and the CARES Center.

B. Community

B.1           Expand client base and clinical experiences to develop a client population that better reflects the cultural and linguistic diversity of the community the program serves. 

B.2           Continue to engage in community outreach

B.3            Continue to promote visibility of the Speech and Hearing Clinic and specialty  clinics

C. State, National, and International

C.1          Regularly present at state, national and international conferences

C.2           Increase continuing education offered by individual faculty members

C.3           Promote national and international collaboration

Goal 4: Program Sustainability

A.             Collaborate with the Alumni, Philanthropy, and Foundations Offices to facilitate donations from alumni and others

B.             Increase applications for research and clinical preparation grants and/or programs

C.             Attract and retain students

Updated September 2024