Mission Statement

Our Department Mission

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology at ºÚÁÏÍø is committed to pursuing excellence in the academic and clinical preparation of students in speech-language pathology, conducting research, and providing services to the University and the broader community.

Our Department Goals

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology strives to:

  • Provide effective and evidence-based instruction and clinical education in speech-language pathology,
  • Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field through research and professional development, and
  • Serve the community by offering pro bono speech and language services.

We aim to facilitate our students' knowledge development and skill acquisition for solving clinical problems, conducting comprehensive speech and language assessments, and implementing evidence-based interventions for a diverse client population in various clinical settings.

Our Strategic Plan

Informed by our mission and goals, and those of the  and , this strategic plan outlines the ways in which the Department of Speech-Language Pathology intends to achieve its vision for the future.  We recognize that strategic planning is an ongoing process, given ever-changing internal and external needs. This plans maps our efforts through 2029, which will be evaluated, and, when necessary, revised each academic year.

 

Goal Statement: The Department will continue to strengthen collaboration with community partners and stakeholders while increasing the visibility of our academic programs and Speech and Language Clinic.

  • Enhance and sustain relationships within local educational and medical settings through internship site visits.
  • Sustain and expand free speech and language services to local communities through the ºÚÁÏÍø Speech and Language Clinic and participation in community events.
  • Continue to strengthen alumni relationships through homecoming events and the department newsletter.

Yearly Objectives

By Spring 2027, the SLP Department will:

  • Participate in at least two community events per year to provide services and promote the clinic.
  • Host an alumni event aligned with the 2027 CSHA Convention.
  • Offer adult groups in the on-campus clinic.

By Spring 2028, the SLP Department will:

  • Work with the support Dean’s Office to identify potential donors using the department’s case for support.
  • Host an alumni–student mixer.

By Spring 2029, the SLP Department will:

  • Offer a social training group during the summer semester.

Strategies:

  • Seek funding through the College of Health and Human Services and community donations to continue upgrading and expanding clinical and instructional resources.
  • Actively reach out to potential internship sites to establish new partnerships.
  • Maintain relationships with alumni through homecoming events, active department social media, alumni highlights, and the department newsletter.

Goal Statement: In alignment with ASHA’s initiative to increase diversity in the profession, the Department will maintain enrollment of students from underrepresented groups at 50% of total graduate enrollment.

Yearly Objectives:

By Spring 2027, the SLP Department will:

  • Maintain enrollment of pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual at least 40%.
  • Maintain a program completion rate above 90% for pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual.
  • Attend or support at least one Black student recruitment activity per academic year.

By Spring 2028, the SLP Department will:

  • Maintain enrollment of pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual at least 45%.
  • Maintain a program completion rate above 90% for pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual.
  • Attend or support at least one Black student recruitment activity per academic year.

By Spring 2029, the SLP Department will:

  • Maintain enrollment of pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual at least 50%.
  • Maintain a program completion rate above 90% for pre-professionals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities, male, and/or bilingual.
  • Attend or support at least one Black student recruitment activity per academic year.

Strategies:

  • The department will collaborate with the college to participate in at least one off-campus and one on-campus event per year to promote the profession of communication sciences and disorders. Off-campus events will specifically target local high school students from underrepresented groups.
  • The department will continue to refine and implement a holistic graduate admissions process that considers all aspects of each applicant, including the ability to serve clients from diverse backgrounds.
  • Faculty will provide individualized guidance and mentorship to nontraditional students, ethnic minorities, and individuals from historically marginalized groups in the profession to ensure equitable access to resources for success.   

Goal Statement: The department will enhance student learning through interdisciplinary case-based learning, student self-reflection and self-assessment, ethical use of AI and DEIA orientated decision-making process.

Yearly Objectives: 

By Spring 2027, SLP Department will:

  • Establish and pilot interdisciplinary case-based learning activities in collaboration with other CHHS departments.
  • Implement student self-reflection and self-assessment tools (formative assessments) in all clinical courses.
  • Incorporate culturally responsive decision-making processes through case-based learning in at least 30% of department courses.
  • Incorporate IPE and IPP frameworks in 2 seminar courses
  • Incorporate AI-powered problem- and case-based learning in at least 20% of department courses.

By Spring 2028, SLP Department will:

  • Implement student self-reflection and self-assessment tools (formative assessment) in at least 60% of department courses.
  • Incorporate culturally responsive decision-making processes through case-based learning in at least 60% of department courses.
  • Incorporate IPE and IPP frameworks in 4 seminar courses
  • Incorporate AI-powered problem- and case-based learning in at least 40% of department courses.

By Spring 2029, SLP Department will:

  • Expand and refine implementation of interdisciplinary case-based learning activities in collaboration with other CHHS departments in one annual interdisciplinary workshop.
  • Participate in interdisciplinary case-based learning activities in collaboration with other CHHS departments in at least one annual interdisciplinary workshop.
  • Implement student self-reflection and self-assessment tools (formative assessment) in at least 90% of department courses.
  • Incorporate culturally responsive decision-making processes through case-based learning in at least 90% of department courses.
  • Incorporate IPE and IPP frameworks in 6 seminar courses
  • Incorporate AI-powered problem- and case-based learning in at least 50% of department courses.

Strategies:​

  • Create a centralized repository of interdisciplinary case studies, culturally responsive decision-making frameworks, and AI-supported learning tools. Develop course templates and guidelines to help faculty incorporate self-reflection, self-assessment, and case-based learning.
  • Organize annual interdisciplinary workshops in collaboration with CHHS departments to model case-based learning and share best practices. Encourage faculty to participate in ongoing professional development on formative assessment, culturally responsive teaching, and ethical AI integration through Faculty Center and ATS workshops.
  • Use student feedback, course evaluations, and learning outcome data to assess effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.